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Sushi Cafe
Category: Restaurants Sushi Bars Sushi Bars [Edit]
5823 Kavanaugh BlvdLittle Rock, AR 72207
(501) 663-9888
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
42 reviews for Sushi Cafe
Review Highlights
"Sushi Factory has the most creative rolls."
(in 5 reviews)
"I HIGHLY recommend the Spice Girls."
(in 2 reviews)
"...it is a little larger, but the wait usually isn't very long."
(in 3 reviews)
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42 reviews in English
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Review from sidra a.
Little Rock, AR
1/12/2012
Best sushi in LR! The Kamikaze and Oh My Gosh rolls are definitely my favorite. They have plenty of options though. They also have non sushi items on their menu for anyone who wants something different. Sushi Cafe used to be super crowded but they have expanded their restaurant and now it's not always necessary to make reservations ahead of time though it doesn't hurt. I was not impressed with their Kobe beef burger but my sister says it's the best she's ever eaten, so it might be worth a try. Staff is always friendly and available. Since expanding they also have outdoor seating and a private party room.
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Review from Christian P.
San Diego, CA
9/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been at least a half dozen times. I've been with groups that have ordered damn near everything on the menu, and I have even ventured to try some of their more off-the-wall stuff. I have a pretty good idea of what their kitchen is capable of.
Sushi: Is not the best stuff that the fish purveyors sell. It's pretty middle of the road, with nearly everything coming in frozen. Avoid the sashimi and individual sushi items as you're better off masking the weak flavor and mushy texture of their fish in some kind of roll.
Rolls: Are rolls, except that these aren't particularly good rolls. My primary problem is that the sushi rice is permanently undercooked and hard. Additionally, some of the "sauces" that they squirt out of a squeeze bottle on the rolls are completely atrocious. I dare you to taste the sweet eel sauce straight and not gag.
Curry Items: Are bad. The curry sauces, green and "other" are both watery and only vaguely reminiscent of curry. The crispy chicken was tough, chewy and lacked any crispiness at all.
Service: Varies wildly. The last time I was in there, the three of us had perhaps the most incompetent server I have come across in Little Rock. He had less than zero idea about what was on the menu. Someone at the table ordered a soft-shelled crab and the server, with a blank deer-in-headlights look repeats back in the most confused tone possible "soft...shelled...crab?" Yeah buddy, soft shelled crab.
Atmosphere: Is great. Lots of pretty girls, guys in button up shirts and fancy jeans and a buzzy hopping environment. -
Review from Karin S.
Little Rock, AR
12/23/2011
I've been here many times and think the sushi rolls are the best on town. However, this week I was actually here three times for lunch and decided it was time to try something else on their very extensive menu. Nothing disappoints! The burger was great as well as the wagu hotdog. The dog was the best in town and probably the best I've ever had. So don't balk at not getting sushi in a sushi restaurant. You won't be sorry!
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Review from s. m. j.
Conway, AR
8/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
We love Sushi Cafe. I come here often for lunch with friends, and we also visit regularly on our "date nights" for delicious food.
I will be honest and say that we often choose Sushi Cafe when we aren't that hungry. But this is a GOOD thing: We want to come here when we're not starving but still want fresh, flavorful food, a great dining experience and a cocktail, beer or a glass of wine with our meal. On the most recent visit I had a cosmopolitan, and my server was very careful with its preparation and kept checking on me to make sure I enjoyed it. Once at lunch, our host comped us a "dessert" roll that had mango and cream cheese. Delicious!
The last time we were at Sushi Cafe, this past weekend, we both ordered the Yasai Karokke, which are delicious little potato pancakes with veggies and a yummy sweet plum sauce. We both ordered this wonderful item because neither one of us was willing to share it! We did share some edamame. This was enough for my husband, but I ordered the fresh salmon sushi and the smoked salmon sushi. I was still hungry, and while I really do love the rolls here (they are BEAUTIFUL and so flavorful and inventive), I really crave the fresh, rich and perfect nigiri sushi that Sushi Cafe offers. We saw the order of the table next to us: four different kinds of colorful, yummy-looking rolls. That is always a good way to go at Sushi Cafe, but the simple route is always amazing as well. That's why I keep returning here: The small things matter a lot to the sushi chefs here.
I've been coming here since they opened, and I do really like the expanded area they have because they've made the additional dining areas really feel like Sushi Cafe, even if they are a little different in look. We did think the last time we were there that the music was a little on the loud side -- it was hard for us to talk to each other. We'll be coming back I'm sure. I think it is the most pleasant, flavorful and sophisticated sushi dining experience in Little Rock. -
Review from David K.
Las Vegas, NV
11/10/2011
Loved it. Had a great Hawaiian roll with mango!
Very attractive crowd for a Thursday night will definitely come back next time I'm in LR. Oh Portions was nice size and service was great too. -
Review from Byoung Kyu S.
Plano, TX
Updated - 1/11/2011
I was bit disappointed with my dinner at Sushi Cafe after having thoroughly enjoyed lunch there last time.
Having skipped lunch, I was starving. Started with Edamame. It came out steaming hot. The portion was very generous.
Filled out the sushi a la cart order form and patiently waited. As my sushi order came out, the waiter informed me that they were out of uni. It'd have been nice if I was told as I was ordering. So after looking over the menu a few times, I decided to try the Kobe Beef Hamburger.
-- Hawaiian Ahi Tuna was good; not great.
-- Ikura was okay. individual ikura seems very small so I wondered if they were of lower grade. The burst of ikura did not produce the full-salty taste I am used to.
-- Amaebi was not authentic amebi. I think it was just regular ebi. The tough spines were not present on the fried heads. Even the amaebi sushi part looked more like ebi.
-- The Kobe Beef Burger was okay. It was actually bit too greasy and more overcooked than I had preferred. (I asked for medium rare but more on the rare side.) The accompanying sweet potato fries were very good.
The waiter was pleasant and refilled my hot tea consistently.
The Asian (I think she's Korean) girl who acted as the Hostess was bit annoying. She's the one with the huge mole on her face. She started leading me to the sushi bar and when I told her I wanted a table, she gave me a very non-friendly glare then questioned my wish not to sit at the sushi bar. She finally sat me then quickly left.
I can't stand snooty Hostesses.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/5/2011
Good sushi in Little Rock? How about great sushi in Little Rock!
I was pretty impressed with this… Read more »
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Review from Elizabeth C.
Conway, AR
9/4/2011
I love Sushi Cafe! The food is excellent. I would not recommend going for a weekday lunch, however, as it is packed. The service could be a little better, but overall it's a pretty good little sushi place!
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Review from Ron N.
Little Rock, AR
This sushi place... makes me go.. WEEEEEE.
First time I had crab cakes with mango salsa, then a dish of some rolls. It's pretty funny hearing our waiter say "The Ohmygosh roll".
Another visit I had the Tokyo burger, The flavors I must say... yum yum. Savory. The combination of ground beef marinated in soysauce + cheese + veggies = delicious.
Now the interior is contemporarily decorated, green booths and ambient lighting. The music is also really good. -
Review from Matt B.
Hensley, AR
4/25/2011
I had heard great things from friends about sushi cafe from my friends and finally went in for lunch one day a few weeks back. Let me tell you, if you like random gnats flying in your face and a waiter that won't let you have a conversation with your friend due to their hovering over your table, then sushi cafe will be your go to spot.
Don't get me wrong, the food was tasty. I tried some of my friends seaweed salad and dish as well and it was tasty, but the mix of questionably annoying service and random bugs flying around put me off to the extreme. I may give it another chance, but not anytime soon. -
Review from Harold S.
Las Cruces, NM
8/22/2011
You know rule #1, eat where the locals eat! Get there before 6 and you should be fine for seating. The rolls are big, full of main ingredients with just the right amount of rice. If you see a roll and you don't want deep fried, or you want to substitute, they are willing to accommodate. Nice atmosphere, good food, and great service. This place does it right.
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Review from Brittany K.
Little Rock, AR
11/6/2010
As the other reviewers mentioned sushi cafe used to be very small & cramped, but they recently added a new addition with many more tables & yesterday I went for the first time during the lunch rush and didnt have to wait at all!
It's a very nice atmosphere, the servers are very attentive. The menu is very eclectic for a "sushi bar" which was good for me because I dont actually eat sushi. The menu includes everything from your typical sushi rolls to kobe beef hamburgers & hotdogs, teriyaki chicken, buffalo wings, and much more.
Two of my friends ordered several sushi rolls to taste and they were very pleased with the selection and over-all taste. I ordered the "buffalo plate" which was described as teriyaki wings but I didn't taste any teriyaki flavor at all, they tasted more like buffalo wings. Don't get me wrong the wings were delicious, just not what they had described. My other lunch-mate ordered the "hogs plate" which included grilled chicken topped with a delicious sauce, a new york strip, fried rice, and vegetables- all for $15- SCORE. The chicken was especially tender and flavorful, I had to try it :)
The one thing we didn't really enjoy, one friend ordered a bloody mary- when he tried it his mouth was on FIRE, they put wasabi in their bloody mary's so word of warning!
Overall a really good experience and I will be taking my sushi-loving hubby here soon! -
Review from Bill M.
Little Rock, AR
3/1/2011
Incredible! Living is SoCal for 8 years, plus the many years in the North East, and I have to say this place is the best. The menu has great selections and the food is out of this world. From greeting, to service, to presentation they do it all right.
The place is more than meets the eye. When we walked in I didn't realize it was two store fronts not one, so they were packed, yet the wait was manageable.... and well worth it.
From Sushi, to creative rolls, and outstanding Kobe beef. The place is incredible. Enjoy it! -
Review from Karly K.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2011
I live in Northern California now, and have yet to experience sushi as good as Sushi Cafe's.
Very creative rolls. You can get any type of roll you could ever want. The presentation is great. One of my favorite rolls that I have yet to find anywhere else was the Mango one (forgot the name of it), it has coconut shrimp inside with slices of mango and a mango sauce on top. really yummy. They even have rolls with crawfish and lobster in them.
I used to like to sit at the sushi bar because the sushi cooks are so nice. I even got a free dessert roll a couple of times.
If you aren't into sushi, there are plenty of other things you can order. The salmon is really amazing here. Its ground up with some special spices and sauce-has a really unique taste.
You can find the owner/manager there working, often seating people. He is a super nice guy.
The only negative thing I can think of is how small it is. Wouldn't recommend coming here on a weekend evening, you'll be standing up waiting forever. It's sort of a hole in the wall kind of place.
Prices are maybe a little more expensive than others, but so worth it.
Wish I still lived in Arkansas so I could eat here! -
Review from Alex T.
Jacksonville, AR
The Tuna Titaki gets better every time! Truely excellent.
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Review from Kristin S.
Castle Rock, CO
6/26/2010
Omg I love love love this place! I have eaten sushi all over, including some very high end sushi restaurants and I must say this is in my top 3 places. The rolls were very creative. I love how they even use crawfish (a local food) in some of their rolls. We ordered the Hawaiian, Arkansas, cafe, and the super cafe roll.
The place opened at 5 (we were waiting for them to open), and it was full by 5:30. The place isn't very large, so I would recommend making a reservation.
As a side note, lunch is only open until 2 and dinner opens at 5. -
Review from Mark F.
Pulaski, AR
9/2/2009 1 photo
I love sushi and sashimi but my family has never been fans. The Sushi Cafe changed that. The creative rolls, freshness, and great flavors won them over.
Service has been great each time. Staff walks the fine line between can't get rid of them and where did they go.
Many sushi places are intimidating for the novice but their menu does a good job of explaining items.
I've only tried the rolls and few appetizers but do plan to eventually force myself to try more of the menu items. -
Review from Kristen C.
Bryant, AR
11/23/2010
I absolutely LOVE this restaurant! It is my very favorite sushi restaurant ever and swear I could eat there every day. They just recently added on to the restaurant to make it a bit larger and I think they did a great job with the decor -- very modern feel.
The service is always great and fast even though you may have to wait for a table. But, it's totally worth the wait! -
Review from Mary Lee W.
Little Rock, AR
9/29/2008
Best sushi in Little Rock!
So fresh and yummy!
The restaurant is small, so expect a wait. However, it is well worth it. The fish tacos are yummy as are the desserts. But it's the creative rolls that make the Sushi Cafe a must.
The Hawaiian roll is loved by many, as is the lobster roll.
Overall, it is pricey. But at lunch you can get a HUGE bento box for 8 bucks.
By far, the best sushi in the Rock City. -
Review from cecil h.
Santa Rosa, CA
3/24/2011
3 stars-
let's break it down tho' to put it all into perspective
me- world traveller foodie and in the industry so to speak.
sushi cafe- in the heights neighborhood,trendy decor w/ ambient techno playing whilest you eat.
the food- it's ok. Some of it is great. The bomb was good. The raw items were ok.
The cocaine my friends wife found in the bathroom? The powdery remnants left on the sink ? well that was kinda a downer...no pun intended.
sushi- 4 stars
location from the house i was crashin -5 stars
service-4 stars
lastly
cocaine in the bathroom???
it's gonna knock it down a few and that's where we are w/ 3 stars.
i will be back and hope for a better non drug visit. -
Review from Amy P.
Longview, TX
10/21/2010
I adore Sushi Cafe. Its one of my favorite places for date night. However, it doesn't matter if its a Wednesday or a Friday, be prepared to wait. I don't recommend calling for reservations - they don't really help. Grab a drink at the bar and just enjoy the company around you while you're waiting for a table - it's worth the wait. And with the new addition going in next door, it should be even more comfortable once they open that up.
I HIGHLY recommend the Spice Girls. It's amazing! I'm a fan of the Razorback Roll as well. And if you can't decide, saddle up to the sushi bar and ask the chef to make you his favorite. Or he's more than willing to hear what you like and just invent something for you. -
Review from Heather N.
Charlotte, NC
Updated - 1/22/2011 3 photos
I love the sushi at the Sushi Cafe. It is inventive and delicious, but I will never, EVER return there. The service has never been very good, (we were once ignored for 15 minutes when there was only one other table seated in the place) but I could over look mediocre service for the quality of food, but I can do that no longer.
According to their website, they "honor reservations". We know they are always busy, so I called and made a reservation. Well, we get there tonight and the place is packed, but there is no one manning a wait list or greeting guests. I manage to get the attention of one person who blows me off, and then I get the attention of someone else. He was dressed better, so I guess he was the owner or a manager. He says it'll just be a minute. 5 minutes later I ask him how much longer it's going to be. He says not too much longer since it's just two of us and we have a reservation. So, my fiance and I stand there and watch as the place gets busier and there is still no one manning a wait or anything. We watch as he takes two people to a table ahead of us, when they got there AFTER us (he knew them by name, so I guess a little nepotism helps way more than planning ahead). Finally, at 7:25 my fiance tags him down and asks how much longer, since we had been waiting nearly 30 minutes. He tells us it'll be a while, since we refused the seats he had offered us earlier. UM. EXCUSE ME. He had not spoken to us ONCE unless we had managed to get his attention. He definitely hadn't offered us seats anywhere.
So yes. Good food, God awful service. There are other sushi places in Little Rock, and I will try every single one of them before I give this place another dime.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/17/2010
I've spent my whole life in a large city, with many fantastic culinary offerings, but the sushi at… Read more »
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Review from Jacob M.
Universal City, TX
10/18/2009
Sushi Cafe is the best sushi in Little Rock.
Their rolls were excellent. A few went a little heavy on sauces, with particular offenders being the eel sauce and their spicy mayo. Their basic ingredients, especially the fish, are solid and everything we had was fresh.
Our wait service was very professional and polite. The menu was very thorough, although we haven't tried anything from their "fusion" side of the house. The sushi was reasonably priced given that it is Little Rock, although it might be considered a bit steep in a larger city.
Sushi Cafe is solid on all points and all around a great place to eat. If you're looking for sushi in the Rock, this is the place to be. -
Review from Michael H.
Little Rock, AR
6/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
We went to Sushi Cafe to celebrate a friend's birthday. Unfortunately, the staff there was awful. Dylan (not sure on the spelling and do not necessarily care) was very snobbish towards us and seemed to feel as if he were doing us a favor just taking our orders, which were either wrong or took too long to serve (i.e. cold salad underneath a heat lamp for 30 minutes). It's unfortunate because I have heard very good things about Sushi Cafe, and it was the birthday guest's favorite. I would imagine things could have been handled a little differently, considering they were extremely busy for a Tuesday night. I will say, however, having been a waiter myself at one point in my life, you don't tell a patron to "hurry up with your order" or ..."i will have to pay for that salad if you do not pay for it," nor do you not write orders down when you are already having issues with keeping track of who is ordering what. The experience just turned me from ever wanting to go back. I am a very understanding person, but my patience was tested last night and after hearing how he talked those in my party, particular the ladies, I was done and will not be coming back to this establishment.
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Review from Philip Y.
Aurora, IL
2/5/2011
Awesome sushi! I really enjoyed the chef's creativity.
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Review from Dan J.
Little Rock, AR
5/6/2011
Love sushi cafe. Best sushi in Arkansas. this time of year i wish i could afford to eat lunch and dinner here everyday.
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Review from Eddie A.
Little Rock Air Force Base, AR
6/2/2010
I went to Sushi Cafe on Thursday night and it was amazing. I have had sushi all over the country and this is some of the best if not the best. It's a tie between Sushi Cafe and Sushi Factory in Henderson NV for first place. Sushi Factory has the most creative rolls. You have to try the Hawaiian.
I saw a sign saying they are expanding. They need to the place was a little cramped and the wait was about an hour.
Other than that I can't wait to go back -
Review from Kim V.
Little Rock, AR
7/27/2009
The sushi here reminds me of the food at Koto but with MUCH better service. One of the better sushi places in Little Rock. My only gripe is that many of the sushi plates has mayo in it. There's nothing wrong with spicy mayo, but I'd rather not have it in every dish.
If you like sweet drinks, I highly recommend the Wow Maritini. Small location, so it gets packed quickly during peak times. The bar area is TINY, but it's a cozy and cute restaurant. -
Review from J R.
Little Rock, AR
12/30/2010
I live in the Heights neighborhood, and have been here several times, (pre & post renovation). The most irritating thing about this businesses is a complete lack of any semblance of order when you arrive. They need a hostess or a system, as it is now you have to catch the attention of the one gentleman in charge of seating. Not an issue on slow nights, but any weekend it's maddening. The sushi is overpriced for being average.
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Review from Scott B.
Pine Bluff, AR
1/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
I decided to try Sushi Cafe after reading some reviews on Yelp. As a reference I had been eating sushi twice a month in New Orleans so I was accustomed to good, fresh sushi. I can say that the sushi here was ok. Not great, not terrible. Just OK. It didn't have a great taste. Maybe the rice was off. The fish was just ok. Even the crab stick was just ok. Nothing impressive. Atmosphere was nice. The one thing that struck me was that there wasn't one Japanese person working in the place. Not waiting tables, not behind the bar. All the guys behind the bar spoke Spanish. That doesn't instill a lot of confidence in the quality or the preparation of the dishes. If the restaurant was open in NO (my frame of reference) they wouldn't last long. Since I am still learning Little Rock and I will try someplace else next time.
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Review from Marty B.
Austin, TX
3/5/2011
Great sushi! Fresh and beautiful presentation. Decent prices
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Review from Bobby G.
Little Rock, AR
7/25/2010 4 photos
his is a must try for local and visiting sushi lovers. They only have about 4 booths, 4 tables and maybe 16 bar spots so expect a wait if you go at peak times. They take reservations, but your better off going at odd times. They're adding remodeling next door and supposedly expanding. They sport some real creativity in the signature rolls like the Heights, Spice Girls and Hawaiian. The Red Snapper Taco and the Hamburger are great for non-sushi friends. The prices are higher than average with most special rolls above $10 and 5-8 for the more traditional rolls. I think the nigri was around 3-5 depending on the type. Everything I've ordered has been spot on near perfection with presentation, taste, and service.
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Review from Rex K.
San Jose, CA
9/14/2010
Okay sushi. Probably one of the best sushi place in Little Rock. However, coming from Los Angeles and San Fran..the sushi isn't impressive. The sushi isn't the melts-in-your-mouth kind you can find at coastal cities. The selection isn't very big. You can find the staple tuna, salmon, etc. However, if u want to experiment with stuff like the puffer fish, you will be disappointed.
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Review from Jennifer H.
Little Rock, AR
6/17/2011
The food is great, but the service knocked it down from four stars. It's hard enough to spend $100 to have someone serve you raw food, but when I do drop a C-note on sashimi I better get stellar service. Never the case here.
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Review from a h.
Glenview, IL
3/30/2010
Yes, it's probably the best sushi in Little Rock with the most inventive and creative menu and fusion of flavors. It's also a very small restaurant that is always packed, but I think this is what adds to the coziness. I have heard that they may be expanding. I hope they don't lose the cozy charm.
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Review from Texture D.
San Francisco, CA
7/12/2009
Best sushi in Little Rock, hands down. Some of the best sushi I've had, anywhere in the world.
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Review from Nick C.
San Francisco, CA
10/22/2009
Do I knock off a star for the $2 green tea? (the Bay Area owner should know better). Nah, this place is too welcome an addition to the Heights for anything but a fiver. Sushi rolls are the highlight. Get there early.
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Review from Jason S.
Jacksonville, AR
1/28/2010 6 photos
I go once a week. They pick up their fish on Fridays and (I think) Mondays, so I would try and make it in on one of those days If you're eating sushi. The only reason this place doesn't get 5 stars is that it can get jam packed very quickly and seating is very limited.
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Review from Dario S.
Wilton, NY
11/30/2009
This Place was AWFUL!!!!!!
Stopped in about 8:30 tonight. The place had quite the late night patrons for a Monday night a hour before they close. I started off with a mi so soup which was very very salty.... So then we ordered a couple rolls and some nigiri. They were out of conch and Kona Kompachi so we went with a Japanese snapper and marlin. It all came out relatively fast by the Mexican workers (no Asian to be found) The sushi rolls were tasteless there was no vinegar or nothing on the rice. The rice was overcooked and very mushy there were no defining grains of rice just a white mush. The piece were falling apart and very unevenly cut. The fish was all hacked up like Stevie Wonder and and Ray Charles were in the back cutting it up. We took a few bites and looked at each other and decided we would not eat any more. We told the waitress she talked to the manager for a minute and took 10 bucks off the ticket. The manager never came over and asked us what was wrong or anything. I AM SO ANGRY AND DISGUSTED with that sushi place. The fish Stunk and was not pleasant. I wanted to force myself to throw it up it was so BAD!!!!!!!!!!!! -
Review from Beverly C.
Little Rock, AR
6/15/2010
I love Sushi Cafe. I love the atmosphere and the food. I wish it is a little larger, but the wait usually isn't very long. I get the Bento Box or California Rolls. The fried rice is perfect. I love the edamame. Highly recommend.
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Review from Tom W.
Little Rock, AR
5/3/2010
Hands down the best sushi in town! A lively intimate spot in the Heights. My girlfriend and I are huge fans of the spicy Dynamite & sweet and perfectly seasoned Blue Dragon rolls. The only negative comments I have is seating is limited and booths are only reserved for parties of 4 or more. Also, music is tuned to pop music not what I would expect. So, Other than that come early during happy hour before 7pm and you won't be disappointed. An experience you will not regret!
