NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

The Best Restaurants and Bars in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill and the 919

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March 10, 2019 by Ron Wen

Media: Sushi Mon in Raleigh, a Sumptuous Sushi and Japanese Dining Experience

Sushi bar at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Sushi bar at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Usually at the end of the year as a food blogger, I’m trying to wrap up my visits to new restaurants to pull together my list of the best. And every now and then your plans get thrown awry by a new and excellent spot. This year it was Sushi Mon out on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. An invite to visit hits my email inbox and I had seen some very positive reviews for the place so who can resist? I head over on a chilly Thursday evening to see what this new Japanese restaurant is about.

Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sushi Mon is conveniently located off of Hillsborough Street in Raleigh in the old Mama Jee space I was so fond of. For first-timers looking to visit, parking is not super obvious. The lot next to restaurant actually belongs to Zaxby’s so do NOT park there! You’ve got options around the corner, in the Stanhope building structure or do what I do, park over on Dixie Trail and walk over. The front to Sushi Mon is dark and subtle but it sits right at the corner. Inside you’ll find a super-cool and hip, urban oasis, perfect for a fun date or small dinner party. I’m met by the owner, Chris Lee who shows me around the place. He points out many of the unique pieces of decor at Sushi Mon, all sourced in-state!

Cool interior at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Cool interior at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Live moss hanging at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Live moss hanging at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

From the tables made at Raleigh Reclaimed to a polished granite installation behind the sushi bar from Asheville, a lot of the exquisite decor at Sushi Mon was made right here in North Carolina. The piece de la resistance is the live moss wall-hanging on the side, very very cool! Overall the space has a very slick, West coast feel that would be good for an upscale dinner or date. Both Chris and Sushi Mon’s chef, Tom, have previously worked in the South Bay (CA) and Las Vegas which now makes more sense. But I’m sure you’re wondering, how about the food?

Mother's miso soup at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Mother’s miso soup at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sitting at the sushi bar, we start our meal with the miso soup. Now I don’t know about you but miso soup is usually not something to get excited about. A bit of broth with seaweed and tofu cubes usually just cleans the palate but not the miso soup at Sushi Mon. Their version (known as Mother’s miso) is a thick, cloudy broth laced with salmon, mushrooms and more, wow! Lots of flavor and umami in this little bowl so enjoy it.

Oysters with oriental salsa at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Oysters with oriental salsa at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Seared salmon lettuce wrap at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Seared salmon lettuce wrap at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sushi Mon’s menu is small but focuses on cold and hot appetizers, sushi (nigiri) and rolls. For appetizers, we opened up with the oysters which are beautifully prepared with oriental salsa and chives. A fun and colorful play to these popular bivalves offering up more flavor then the typical mignonette! We move on to a seared salmon in lettuce wrap which is topped with thin strings of kataifi. A savory but clean presentation with warm and cool, savory and crunchy for the palate.

Hokkaido scallops tiradito at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Hokkaido scallops tiradito at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Seared fish cheek at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Seared fish cheek at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Next up is Sushi Mon’s Hokkaido scallop tiradito drizzled with balsamic! An artistic dish offering a bit of soft, supple scallop with the crunchy strings featured in the previous appetizer. There’s definitely a subtle contrast of flavors and textures here at Sushi Mon. We follow up with a seared Kama dish, grilled sea bream fish cheek with yuzu salt which is a simple but wonderful preparation of super tender, white fish with just a hit of salt. You work out the fish meat around the bone and it’s super-moist and tasty!

Sea bream nigiri at Sushi Mon
King shrimp with seared brussels sprouts at Sushi Mon
Salmon nigiri at Sushi Mon
Rainbow roll at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Rainbow roll at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Next up is an array of nigiri ranging from sea bream, king shrimp, and salmon! Sushi Mon offers up its nigiri with all the extras. Either a soy sauce (home-made) lacquered on top, wasabi spread underneath or whatever else Chef Tom is inspired by. The nigiri is in the $6 to $7 range with custom toppings for an additional dollar which I’d recommend for some unique taste combinations. And while we are slowing down for dinner, Chef Tom offers up their version of the Caterpillar roll: tuna, salmon, yellowtail and avocado in a dense, sushi-rice spiked roll. A great finish to a long but indulgent dinner.

Tiramisu at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Tiramisu at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Sushi Mon surprises us with one last plate, a small slice of tiramisu with gold leaf to finish off the meal and I was impressed. I really had no idea what Sushi Mon was about and had expectations based upon the previous business in this space, a favorite of mine, Mama Jee’s. But I was very pleasantly blown away but what they are doing here at Sushi Mon.

Main bar at Sushi Mon in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Main bar at Sushi Mon in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

With an upgraded interior, excellent Japanese food and sushi, along with friendly service, they are really trying to upgrade the dining scene on Hillsborough Street and at NC State. And while I wouldn’t expect to get out of here for less then $40, the overall experience is worth it. Sushi Mon is also adding ramen for lunch along with an omakase (Chef’s choice) tasting menu soon which will give you some other dining options. So enjoy Sushi Mon for what it is, an upscale Japanese and sushi dining experience for Raleigh. And I promise you that once you find parking, you’re in for a culinary treat at this special restaurant!

 

Sushi Mon

105 Friendly Drive, Ste 100

Raleigh, NC 27607

919.322.0002

Sushi Mon menu

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Japanese-Sushi Restaurants, Sushi

November 2, 2017 by Ron Wen

Retake: Sono Sushi in Raleigh for a Deluxe Japanese Dining Experience

Refreshed dining room at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Refreshed dining room at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Over the years, as I’ve grown to appreciate sushi and Japanese food, one Raleigh restaurant has been consistently doing a great job for the cuisine: Sono. From its convenient downtown location, Sono has consistently dished out authentic and tasty Japanese eats since I’ve lived in Raleigh (nine years) and I have a tremendous amount of respect for its original owner-chef Mike Lee. So of course I was a bit concerned when I found out from Chef Mike that he would be moving on from Sono’s operations to focus on his two new concepts in Durham (M Sushi and M Kokko). What would happen to my favorite Japanese restaurant? Would it be in good hands? Well as time would tell, I had nothing to worry about and here’s why!

Bar at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Bar at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

As Chef Mike was transitioning to his Durham restaurants in 2016, I did notice some interesting changes at Sono. The decor was refreshed and while it still maintained its red and back motif, Sono seemed a bit newer and updated. Little did I known but new Chef Hyunwoo Kim (formerly chef at An) had already taken over the kitchen and was slowly making changes in back. Eventually I did get formal notice from Sono’s PR representative, Jennifer Noble Kelly and made a concerted effort to see what had really changed during this transition and I can tell you that most everything has stayed up to the high standards that Chef Mike had initially delivered along with some new additions!

Salmon crudo at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Salmon crudo at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Tasty gyoza at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Tasty gyoza at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Currently, Sono is doing a Sunday and Monday ramen special which I’m a huge fan of. For $20, you can choose any ramen off their menu and it’s paired with a tasty starter such as crudo or gyoza The crudo I tried was a beautiful salmon topped with jalapeno and some sriracha giving the dish a bit of pop. And the pan-fried dumplings-gyoza showed off a wonderfully tender skin along with a tasty minced meat filling, yum!

Ramen selection at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Ramen selection at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Tonkotsu ramen at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Tonkotsu ramen at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But oh, it’s time to get excited about ramen, especially now with the weather cooling down! They’ve got several options on the menu right now (tonkotsu, shoyu, spicy miso) and the meat-focused ramens come with cha-siu pork, bamboo shoots, wood-ear mushrooms and an egg. Really wonderful bowls that will fill you up, I highly recommend the tonkotsu with its milky-creamy pork broth. The tonkotsu has a wonderful savory depth to its flavor profile that just pulls you into this delicious meal. And the cha-siu at Sono is tender and sliced nicely thin. Overall you can’t go wrong with the ramens here at Sono so enjoy!

Dancing eel and Surf n Turf rolls at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Dancing eel and Surf n Turf rolls at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But let’s face it, if you’re talking about Sono and Japanese food, you have to try the sushi! During a recent lunch visit, I tried the Dancing Eel and Surf n Turf rolls for lunch (2 for $20) and they were wonderful. Medium-sized they showed off some excellent rice and construction. I usually enjoy specialty rolls and Sono does a great job here with excellent ingredients that are allowed to shine with a minimum of sauces. The Surf and Turf roll was topped with tenderized beef and stuffed with tasty crab which really pops out on the palate. And the seared eel on the second roll was deliciously seared and generously applied.

Ishiyaki barbeque at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Ishiyaki barbeque at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Wagyu beef over sushi rice at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Wagyu beef over sushi rice at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

The rest of Sono’s menu is pretty interesting featuring a table-side ishiyaki (grilled beef), Korean fried chicken, hamachi jalapeno and more. During a media visit, I tried out a sublime starter of Wagyu beef atop sushi rice and topped with some jalapeno, a fantastic treatment of high-quality beef. And Sono also offers an omakase (chef’s choice, coursed meal) which I imagine would be a lot of fun.

Sake can at Sono Sushi in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Sake can at Sono Sushi in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

All I can say is that Sono is in good hands with Chef Kim and I’d trust him in same way I trusted Chef Mike Lee, previously. They’re staying true to their ingredients while offering up some twists in the menu to keep things interesting. They’ve also increased the emphasis on their sakes offering over 35+ options in their program along with a Tuesday night, Wine & Sake social for $10 along with some complimentary sushi. How can you go wrong there?! So thank you Chef Kim and GM James Yang for taking care of one of my favorite downtown Raleigh restaurants. I know you’ll keep up the same great standards that Sono has always had and I’m looking forward to my next meal with y’all!

 

Sono Sushi

319 Fayetteville Street #101

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.521.5328

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Retakes Tagged With: Japanese-Sushi Restaurants, Ramen, Sushi

January 14, 2017 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: City Market Sushi in Raleigh Dazzles the Eyes and Taste Buds

Front of City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Front of City Market Sushi, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Over in City Market, you’ll find an interesting group of restaurants. Longtime favorites like Woody’s, Big Ed’s, and Vic’s Italian serving up the basics. But I’ll be honest with you, those options don’t really do much for me. So I’m glad to see some more upscale restaurants coming to the cobble-stoned streets of City Market. First there was the edition of Cafe Lucarne, a French eatery for lunch. Next up was Royale, an upscale French restaurant. And now what? City Market Sushi, a fresh and new taste of Japanese food for the area. I had seen some good online reviews for City Market Sushi so I was able to slip in for a lunch during their opening week. And  I can tell you it was all pretty impressive…

Interior of City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Interior of City Market Sushi, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Head over to Blake Street in City Market and you’ll see some reflective plate glass windows with some white, decorative art adorning the faces. Beyond those windows lie some delicious fish and Japanese food! Inside, City Market Sushi takes on a more beguiling look. Simple but fashionably adorned, you’ll find some more modern bent-wood seating, overhead lamps and a simple brown, black and white color palette. A small sushi bar sits to your right along with some two-top seating for the “lounge” area.

Sushi Bar at City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Sushi Bar at City Market Sushi, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

It’s only day 3 for City Market sushi and since I’m dining solo, I grab a high boy in the sun shiney front of the space. The menu is small with 5 or 6 small plates, some bento boxes, signature dishes and rolls. I go for the Ni bento box which offers up a soft-shell crab slider, pork belly salad, sashimi and spicy tuna rolls. For $12, it sounds like a great deal!

Garlic edamame at City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Garlic edamame at City Market Sushi, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

They’ve got a substantial amount of staff at City Market Sushi and while the space is pretty empty even after noon, patrons start flowing in after 12:15. I’m guessing word is still getting out about City Market Sushi! My waiter Jason, drops off my garlic edamame which are nicely seared and drizzled with a garlic soy marinade. Very tasty, the tender soybean gets amped up with that hint of savory sodium with some garlicky underneath, interesting preparation!

Ni bento box at City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Ni bento box at City Market Sushi, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Next up is my bento box which looks fabulous. City Market Sushi has done a great job with preparation, serving this lunch meal in a six-compartment bamboo tray. I spy a beautiful slider, a fresh looking salad, 4 pieces of sushi, 2 pieces of sashimi along with some pork belly and a colorful collection of condiments to bling out the meal. So we’ve got a beautiful presentation for a LOT of food, thanks City Market Sushi!

Sashimi at City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Sashimi at City Market Sushi, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

I dive into the sashimi first which is tender and substantial to the tongue. Luscious salmon and tuna slices, nicely striated with sinew. Next up are the spicy tuna rolls which are truly spicy and show off some great, supple rice on the outside. I move on to the salad which is a nice mix of mesclun, avocado, tomato and cucumber in a light marinade.

Soft-shell crab slider at City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Soft-shell crab slider at City Market Sushi, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Moving on to the main course, City Market Sushi does a wonderful pork belly salad! Lightly breaded and tender pork slices with a bit of chew. Contrasted against the light greens makes for some deliciousness. And then the soft-shell crab slider is certainly interesting. A well-fried crustacean peeking out from between a soft round bun, I wasn’t sure how to bite into this sammich. But overall I was pretty impressed with the creativity, plating and diversity of food on City Market Sushi’s lunch bento. You can’t ask for a much better mid-day meal, in my opinion. Although you might need a nap afterwards…

Spicy tuna roll at City Market Sushi, Raleigh - NC Triangle Dining
Spicy tuna roll at City Market Sushi, Raleigh – NC Triangle Dining

Service at City Market Sushi was excellent with Jason. Seasoned server who knows the menu well and timed the meal. I’m so glad you’re here City Market Sushi, providing some diversity in the Raleigh food ecosystem. Along with Sono, we’ve now got an excellent second choice for Japanese food and sushi, arigato!

 

City Market Sushi

315 Blake Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

919.322.1987

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: City Market Restaurants, Japanese-Sushi Restaurants, Sushi

March 10, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Travel: Creative Sushi & Omakase at Kumi in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

KumiLasVegas-FrontEntrance
Front of Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining

When it comes to business conferences, you’re usually treated to an endless line of steam trays filled with over-cooked chicken, fish along with hard rolls and a cold pat of butter. But it is definitely a nice treat to get off the ranch and try something a bit more special. At IBM InterConnect 2016 at Mandalay Bay it was Kumi restaurant that made up for that industrial hotel food and boy, did it ever!

Back dining room at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining
Back dining room at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining

Conveniently located just north of the convention centers and across from Aureole, Kumi is a bustling hip spot drawn up in a bit of sexy ambiance. Small bar up front, two main dining rooms with a side room for small groups, the space has a very warm feel and offers up a mix of Japanese and Korean on the menu. I managed to stop in for two visits, the first for omakase which is the chef’s choice from $65 to $150 per person. Rolls a la carte on the menu run in the $21 – $28 area, appetizers in the $10 – $15 range.

Dining room at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining

While the main dining room is appealing with a nice view of the sushi bar, the second dining room in back is spectacular! Circular and glowing underneath a jumble of a lit stick structure overhead. Wish I could describe it better but it looked good! Cherry blossom wallpaper fills out the rest of this special dining room in back.

KumiLasVegas-Omakase-PoachedLobsterOmakase roll at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining

For our first meal, we did the $90 omakase which consisted of 10 or so plates brought to the table ranging from warm apps to sushi-sashimi and ending up in hot entrees. There were a slew of great flavors but some favorites included the sashimi plate which include clam and octopus, poached lobster and sizzling filet mignon plate.

Nigiri plate at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining
Nigiri plate at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining
Salmon carpaccio at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining
Salmon carpaccio at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining

Really nicely done and not a bad deal for Mandalay Bay at the price. Unfortunately since the meal was the chef’s choice, I’m not really sure what we ate for the evening! With a smaller group, service at the table was excellent for the evening.

Pork belly and Hot Mess rolls at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining
Pork belly and hot mess rolls at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining

For visit #2 we went a la carte, with a little bit of edamame to start the meal and sushi for my main. I went with the pork belly and hot mess rolls which were well-reviewed online. But I was totally tempted to try Kumi’s pop rockin roll which caught my eye. The sushi here is obviously pretty creative and untraditional but what would you expect for Las Vegas? The pork belly roll is presented as 8 pieces and covered with a slaw, delicious stuff. And the hot mess is crab and poke with some Screaming O sauce, a spicy concoction drizzled on table-side. It’s a pleasantly spicy sauce with just enough heat. Service for this second meal was pretty stilted and challenged but with a conference of 20,000+ people going on next door, not a total surprise.

KumiLasVegas-BarNight
Sushi bar at Kumi at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas- NC Triangle Dining

What can I say but Kumi hit all the high spots for me during my week in Las Vegas. While I do think the sushi and rolls here are pretty darn good, they are probably enhanced by the great ambiance. Think very good, but not great. However when you tie in the ambiance and decor it certainly rises above the average for what you can typically find around here. So enjoy Kumi for the sushi, decor and experience!

 

Kumi Japanese Restaurant

Mandalay Place

3950 S Las Vegas Boulevard

Las Vegas, NV 89119

702.632.9100

 

Kumi menu

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Travel Tagged With: Japanese-Sushi Restaurants, Korean Restaurants, Las Vegas Restaurants, Sushi

February 6, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: M Sushi in Durham For Fresh & Simply Delicious Sushi!

Front of M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Front of M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

As a long-time fan of Sono and Chef Mike Lee in downtown Raleigh, I’ve had the chance to enjoy his food across many visits to his restaurant, Competition Cooking and even a pop-up dinner. But over the years like many long-time favorites, you sort of forget about them. Especially when I’m usually chasing down new restaurants in the Triangle. Thankfully Chef Mike has doubled-down in the Triangle, opening up M Sushi out in Durham. By happenstance I was in the area and popped in for an impromptu meal at M Sushi and you can color me impressed!

Dining room at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Sushi bar at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Sushi bar at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

M Sushi is located in a quiet area of E. Chapel Hill Street with a side-entrance that’s not obvious from the street front.  Inside, the space is long and narrow with a sushi bar to the right and seating around the edges to the left. The exposed beams overhead and brickwork give the restaurant a rustic and minimalist feel to the dining room. The sushi bar is busy with 4 – 5 chefs including Chef Mike working hard to feed the busy crowd on a Wednesday night. The restaurant is pretty full even though M Sushi has only been open a week, a very good sign.

M Sushi, Durham - Menu 1M Sushi, Durham - Menu 2

We get lucky after a short wait and are seated at a 4-top on the side. Scanning the M Sushi menu, it looks short, simple but also interesting. The sushi options look somewhat traditional but with a slightly modern spin. I order up some steamed buns, the unagi maki role (eel) and a spider roll (salmon/tuna/soft-shell crab) for my meal while my friends try the light omakase (chef’s choice) and some other rolls.

Eel with crispy salmon skin bun at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Eel with crispy salmon skin bun at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

With some warm sake to keep me company while I wait, I scan the room and it’s an eclectic and more mature crowd. And I have to believe there are some serious foodies here given how new M Sushi is! Our buns arrive first and you’re not going to believe it but it’s an “eel bun”, seared unagi with crisp salmon skin, hoisin and a pickle. Usually this type of steamed bun is done with pork belly but this version with the eel is fantastico! The eel is meaty, rich and dense and the crispy skin and soft bun play off of each other. Really good stuff, I would have liked a bit more tang in the pickle but it was great as is.

Unagi maki roll at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Unagi maki roll at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Spider roll with soft shell crab at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Spider roll with soft shell crab at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

Next up is my unagi/eel roll with a soy glaze in 6 large pieces. It’s a beautiful cross-section of delicious fish, rice and fun. The slices are large but it’s well-rolled and holds together for a large mouthful of subtle flavors and great texture. My final roll is the spider roll which comes with what seems like a whole fried soft shell crab crawling out of the roll. With some radish slices for decor, it’s a delicious hit of fried crab and fresh fish against the soft, supple sushi rice. Nicely done again!

Omakase crudo at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Omakase crudo at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

As the meal continues, I enjoy the burst of colors coming from my table-mate’s omakase dishes. A bright crudo in broth along with a beautiful chirashi in a bowl. Chef Mike is about blending textures and taste in a more subtle fashion for the palate but let’s loose with the colors in his presentation. Service throughout the meal was good but I suspect it will get even better as the operations for M Sushi gets locked down with time and experience.

Omakase chirashi at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining
Omakase chirashi at M Sushi, Durham- NC Triangle Dining

I really enjoyed my meal at M Sushi and while it’s VERY different from its sister restaurant in Raleigh, I think it may be even better. More muted in its decor, smaller more traditional menu but everything here feels very respectful to the fish and dining experience. And I’m pretty sure if you like sushi you’ll love what Chef Mike has in store for you. Durham, you are pretty lucky to have M Sushi in town since we’ve been enjoying Chef Mike’s cuisine out in Raleigh for years. You might need a reservation, you might have to wait but make sure you give the newest and hottest sushi spot in Triangle a try as soon as you can!

 

M Sushi

309 E Chapel Hill Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.908.9266

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Durham, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Japanese-Sushi Restaurants, Sushi

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