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Ra Sushi Baltimore
1390 Lancaster Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
MAP

Phone: 410.522.3200
Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-11pm
Happy Hour: 4pm-7pm
www.rasushi.com

I was greeted with, “Cum on Feel the Noise,” by Quiet Riot at the door.   Felt the noise I did and felt the vibe too, it was sure good, the vibe that is.  There were plenty of pretty people at the bar engaging in thoughtful chatter.  Large red round Asian lanterns hung from the ceiling giving the place a soft mellow glow.  Straight lines and dark wood set the theme for furniture and décor, contemporary, elegant and bold. This wasn’t your usual sushi bar, this was Ra Sushi! 

Ra Sushi (1390 Lancaster Street Baltimore, MD 21231) is one of a new breed of sushi bars that successfully injects some hip, funk and character to a well known genre.  The familiar pull up a seat at the sushi bar to watch the sushi masters dazzle you with their artful preparation and knife wielding skills. Beyond the sushi bar, there’s a large traditional bar stocked with all the alcoholic goodies that you would expect from a good club scene.  Ra Sushi is a good marriage of both sushi and drinking. 

Once in the door and settled I approached the bar for a cocktail while waiting for a table.  I ordered my usual of course, Makers Mark Manhattan, rocks.  What I got was not a Manhattan and it really didn’t rock.  I got something that resembled an Old Fashion that had traces of Manhattan influences. My disappointment was short lived as the ambiance was stellar.  The music was cranking and the groove was on. It was 80’s night, right up my alley. I took my drink and proceeded to engage in some thoughtful chatter myself. 

The table was soon ready.  I had time for a couple of sips of my old fashioned Manhattan and got in a few words of conversation with my dining companion.  Seated and comfortable we proceeded to order more booze, a large Asahi beer and of course Saki!  Going through the menu I was pleased to see an inclusive menu.  They do have offerings from their hot kitchen but we decided that we came for sushi and sushi we had.  Jumping right in, we got an order of Uni (sea urchin) with Uzura (quail egg).  I love starting with the stuff.  A mouthful of delicate creamy sea goodness sets the right tone for what’s to come.  As for aphrodisiacal qualities, one can make a case for it.  Is the stuff addictive?  I’m certainly hooked.  Uni activates the dopamine system in our brain, what some call the “reward circuit”.  Yeah!  Uni buzz. 

Taking our server’s suggestion we decided on a roll, the “Viva Las Vegas Roll, kani kama and cream cheese rolled in rice and seaweed, lightly tempura battered and topped with spicy tuna, crab mix and sliced lotus root, finished with eel sauce and spinach tempura flakes.”  I can’t say it made an impression on the tongue, but it was certainly pretty and very popular.  There must have been one on every table, but I do exaggerate.  Sushi rolls, not to be confused with tootsie rolls are a very personal affair and if you find someone that you are roll compatible with then you really found a gem, a “keeper” as they say.   I’ve yet to find my roll partner, hope to someday.  Ra’s collection of signature rolls is abundant and interesting, more reason to come back and explore.

A sashimi selection followed; Hamachi (yellowtail), Tako (octopus), and Sake (salmon).  Nice artistry for sure.  The salmon had its’ signature tiger striping of fat marbling and a shine that subtly denotes freshness, once in the mouth, pleasant, nutty.  The Tako was next.  I eat Tako more for texture than taste.  Chewiness is important, it should have a slight chewiness, but not like rubber, and not too dry.  You should detect a slight saltiness that hints of the ocean.  Hamachi is a personal favorite primarily because of the oils.   I suppose I eat all fish mostly for the oils.  The subtle range in fishiness is vast and fun to explore.  Good Hamachi to me should be real fatty; the fat gives it a richer bolder flavor.  If you are home with some Hamachi, drizzle some olive oil on it for added enjoyment.  Yum!

Didn’t take in any desert afterwards, more Saki seemed appropriate.

Ra was fun, a fine addition to our charmed city.  If on a date and not wanting the same old same old sushi experience, Sushi Ra should top the list of must goes. 

Tags: restaurants, sushi