The Raw

Before I completely forget, a new-for-me recommendation.

Sushi restaurants come in varieties in Dallas. First we have the crap variety. These are usually buffet style where the sushi has been laid out hours beforehand, leaving it slouching lonely and lifeless under incandescent bulbs. There is something very wrong about the combination of raw fish, prolonged exposure to air and hot lights. And I'm sorry but no matter how cutesy you dress it up, it is always a screaming red flag when you see sushi parading around on any sort of conveyor belt.

Then you have the neighborhood variety. In Dallas, I can't think of a block that does not have a neighborhood sushi joint. These are all varying degrees of good.

Then there are the sushi masters. These are places with incredibly fresh and unique ingredients that have honed preparation and presentation into an art form. Dallas has two: Tei Tei Robata Bar and this place, which just entered the scene last year.

Yutaka
2633 McKinney Ave @ Boll
Dallas, TX
214-969-5533

Yutaka really belongs in Manhattan; its a small shotgun space barely accomodating 25 people, 25 people sitting so close to each other they almost know each other biblically by the second sake. But in order to be one of those 25 you will first have to locate the space; it is on Boll near McKinney in an unassuming strip. There is a small sign, no valet and 5 parking spaces. Best to google its location first, park at the Quadrangle and walk over.

The inside is done in comfortable chic without trying too hard or going so overboard that it distracts you from the food or your company. The music is background, not centerpiece. The service is excellent; quiet, efficient and quite limber to move large plates from kitchen to table without tripping over the feet, jackets and bags that crowd the small walking area.

The menu is digestably small. Unlike most other sushi venues, Yutaka does not try to overwhelm you with every possible Japanese food item known to man. Rather, they put forth a couple of items from each section and a decent, navigable nigiri/roll list. What you will be more interested in are the nightly specials, which the server will recite before handing out the menus. You should at least try one of them, they are amazing.

Suggestions, all of which kicked the crap out of the neighborhood variety sushi houses: Black Cod With Blonde Miso, Sizzling Kobe Beef Bowl with Veggies, Yellowtail Roll, Spanish Mackerel Nigiri, Sea Urchin Nigiri.


Yutaka is an event, you should head through the doors expecting such with full confidence. You should also head through the doors with $50-70 per person since quality at this level does not come free.

Yutaka
Dallas