Adam & Eats: Sake

On this week’s adventure, we are going to investigate a new joint that’s stirring up quite a buzz. It also doesn’t hurt that they serve one of my favorite foods: sushi. So, grab your pith helmet and machete, we’re heading on a concrete jungle expedition to downtown.

Located on the corner of North 9th Street in historic downtown Fort Smith, in what was until very recently Mojo’s, is the brand spankin’ new Sake Martini and Sushi Bar. For the record, it is pronounced sah-kay, not sah-kee.

We had to inform our super awesome waiter of this. (We all have our shortcomings.) The interior of Sake is hip, vibrant, and modern. It is yet another attempt from our little berg to jump into the 21st century. So, that said, good on ya’.

I have to say it was a bit of a shock to be run into an old flame of mine from high school as soon as I walked in the door, but whatever. Fort Smith is the biggest small town in the world and hip new sushi joints need pretty, blonde hostesses.

The only negative thing I have to say about the place is that the wait for food is a bit long. Granted, sushi masters should not ever rush their craft, and I’ll give him that, but even good friends and fancy hooch will only placate the hungry beast within me for so long.

Speaking of sushi masters, Hiroshi knocks it out of the park. I’m going to go out on a limb here, but I think we’ve just got ourselves a new “Best Sushi in Fort Smith” restaurant. This is the part of the article where, if you came to hear about anything other than sushi, you can stop reading now.

They don’t call themselves a “Salad Bar” or a “Wrap Bar.” No. They put sushi right up on front street, so that’s what we’re talking about.

Now, the first roll I want to talk about is in honor of my boys’ tragic loss of the Stanley Cup a few weeks ago. That’s right, we start with the Jersey Devil roll, which consists of spicy tuna, cream cheese, jalapeno, and avocado all rolled up snuggly in rice and nori (seaweed) then deep-fried. What in the world could be better than that? Not much, let me tell you. It is innovative and friggin’ delicious.

Next on my wish list is the Muy Caliente (yellowtail, cilantro, jalapeno, avocado and seven spices). Despite it’s name, it isn’t really that spicy. Sure, to my mom it would be spicy, but a) my mom would never eat it to begin with and, b) she thinks that “mild” sauce is too spicy. This roll is bright and refreshing.

For those of you who need some meat with your fish, get the Surf & Turf. This roll is an explosion of flavors. It combines tempura shrimp, krab (?), cucumber, and avocado in a roll topped with seared filet mignon and then is drizzled with spicy mayo, Sriracha, and sprinkled with scallions and sesame seeds. It is both savory and refreshing in a single bite.

The last roll that has got me swooning, in a totally hetero-lifemate kinda way, is the Rainbow-California roll. What you do is take a California roll (krab, avocado, and cucumber) and then top it with a rainbow of 4 different fish and more avocado. It is so good that you might be inclined to describe the flavor as “colorful.”

It kind of amazes me that I managed to get out of there without eating either of my favorites, eel and sea urchin. Guess I’ll have to go back. You should go too, if you love sushi or haven’t been yet. (Tell Adrianne that I said Hi.)

Until next time, good eating to you and yours.