While I pretty much eat everything in sight, I have to admit I was a bit of a late-comer for sushi. Understanding the combination of raw fish, sushi rice, and nori is an interest I’ve only had for 15 years or so. But every now and then, especially when the weather is hot, it’s hard to beat the cool, simplicity of sushi or nigiri. And if you’re looking for some of the best fish in the NC Triangle, Sushi Mon has been serving it up for several years, now. While the original Sushi Mon was located in a tough spot on Hillsborough Street, Chef Chris has moved up north, not far from Crabtree Valley Mall. If you’re a fan of sushi and Japanese food, it’s worth the trip!
Heading north on Glenwood Avenue, you’ll spot a newer development Glenwood Place. This newer, work-live development hosts offices, apartments, along with a cluster of restaurants and retail spots. Sushi Mon has a premium spot near the entrance to Glenwood Avenue. There’s parking in a structure behind the building which is not apparent. Head on inside the office building and in the first-floor lobby area, you’ll find the Sushi Mon entrance. It’s a smaller space with about 10 tables inside, a handful of tables outside in the lobby along with a sushi bar for solo and pairs of diners.
The menu as Sushi Mon v2.0 hasn’t changed much, tight and well-curated. Start with the edamame or eel bun which features seared unagi, crisp skin along with a marinade and pickles between a soft, steamed bao bun. Or how about the rock salt seared salmon which is beautifully presented on a slab of pink Himalayan salt? And you can not miss the Mother’s miso soup here at Sushi Mon. It’s deeper and more complicated than most miso soups, stewed with bits and pieces of fish meat, yum!
Sushi Mon offers some lunch specials including the Mon Bento ($15) which includes teriyaki chicken, spicy tuna rolls, and salmon sashimi, a lovely option! Or go for their nigiri omakase ($45) which includes the soup, 8 pieces of nigiri, and a hand roll! What I love about this sampler is that it covers a variety of fishes (yellowtail, sea bream, king shrimp, salmon, tuna) and the nigiri is usually glazed or comes with a special topping for extra flavor! Sushi Mon offers up super fresh fish which is the key to all the dishes they turn out.
While the new Sushi Mon space is much smaller, it still shows off a mod, Japanese interior that’s comforting and warm. Service is solid here and a great option for a date or small party. Overall I have to say that the new Sushi Mon is doing a lot of things right, albeit in a smaller space and tighter menu. Already looking forward to my next visit and trying more!
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