René of the Day // 9.21. // Cloud 9

So I'm not quite there (on Cloud 9 if you follow) after dining at the new restaurant in the former Dancing Wasabi space but I was pleased with the experience. Katie texted me in the early evening to finally catch up after numerous failed attempts and re-scheduled dates and sushi just sounded right. I'd been wanting to see the new place but was also curious because their sign outside reads, "Half price! Same menu as Dancing Wasabi!" It didn't make much sense to open a new restaurant and keep it the same so it didn't excite me, but it was worth checking out. Of course they offer "half price" which has been the gig for at least two years now. They keep the prices high and you do the math to see how "cheap" it is - wow!

Cloud 9 doesn't have any of the tacky art work and junk on the walls that Dancing Wasabi had. They do have two small white boards that state that they offer toro (richer, fatty tuna, harder to find and pricier) on the weekends. The menu has expanded non-sushi options with more appetizers and entreé options. The sushi menu offers all of the rolls that Dancing Wasabi did, but features quite a few new options. Katie and I struggled with determining which to choose because so many sounded similar. Almost every roll was wrapped around shrimp. It was hard to find five different rolls that were enticing and not repetitive, and neither of us are picky, we do it all - eel, uncooked, veggies, tempura, spicy, etc.

We ordered:
Orange County (sushi shrimp, cucumber & crab topped with spicy tuna, eel sauce & spicy mayo)
Dynamite (California roll topped with torched Hot Mama - mix of chopped tuna, salmon, tilapia, white tuna, yellowtail, garlic, red pepper paste, sriacha & green onion - eel sauce & spicy mayo)
Red Double (tempura shrimp, avocado, crab, eel sauce, spicy mayo, tempura flakes & wasabi sauce)
Caterpillar (eel & cucumber inside with layers of sliced avocado and eel sauce on top)
Tempura (tuna, salmon, tilapia, white tuna, crab stick, asparagus, cream cheese - deep fried)

Ultimately, the Orange County was the only new one for us. The Dynamite has changed a little and it was very similar to the Red Double, which we enjoyed much more. Red Double, Caterpillar and Tempura are always easy wins. We joked that they need a chart of spreadsheet comparing the rolls since many are so similar, it's hard to compare (so much for leaving work at the office, ha).

A friend from work was also there and mentioned they had really slow service and their plate of sushi sat on the counter for a while before it was noticed and delivered to their table; not a great experience but I've had this happen before. I think I'll go back - the atmosphere of Dancing Wasabi in the old Beluga space has better ambiance but I'm so sick of ordering maki from the same menu over the past few years.

Their full menu is available on their urbanspoon page.

(As always, I'm not a restaurant critic. Just a foodie sharing my experiences.)

René of the Day // 6.30.11 // Dancing Wasabi 2: Hyde Park

Could it be? Great sushi in walking distance of my place - for half price? Reason #213 to live in Hyde Park. It's incredible how when I worked at Beluga, the uber-trendy sushi pan-Asian restaurant off the square, they would never succumb to half price deals. But as the economy slid and their former sushi chef Charlie opened Dancing Wasabi on Mt. Lookout Square, it became apparent that they'd have to sack it up and do half price, at least once a week. I think Cincinnati loves that almost ever sushi spot in this area now offers half price to stay competitive - people wait over an hour on the sidewalk for their maki in Mt. Lookout. Charlie made a brilliant business decision. So brilliant that Beluga closed it's doors and Dancing Wasabi recently opened their second location there - you know you're going gangbusters when you can open a second location literally less than 2 miles away and still fill the house in both restaurants.

Of course, the former Beluga space is much bigger and still has a lot of the pricey decor. I do think they've cheapened it up a bit - massive TV over the bar, huge plants lining the stairs as you walk in and they've replaced the dj booth in the corner with a round white wood table. But this is what the people want - it's fun, affordable and decent food. They've expanded their menu now that they have a larger nicer kitchen but I think I'll always stick to the sushi. I think I've tried all 20+ rolls at this point and there's never been one that I wouldn't try again. The service was fantastic - every employee we passed greeted us warmly and our server was attentive without being annoying. To be honest, I doubt I'll go back to the Mt. Lookout location - it has a tinge of a funky smell and I can walk to the new one. Arigato, Charlie!

René of the Day // 5.24.11 // Bye Bye, Beluga

Oh how I will miss this restaurant/club/martini mecca/sushi shrine. Say what you will about the overtly trendy decor, the overpriced cocktails and the music that bumped so loud it would likely spill that pricey punchy drink. But, Toon is an impeccably creative chef and all pretentiousness aside, Beluga always offered an evening unmatched in Cincinnati.

I will forever be grateful to Cindy, who for two years ensured that I was always fed and my financial and academic obligations were always met. She taught me to work smarter and harder (she reminded me tonight how high octane I was -am- and how much I learned and grew) and great tidbits about countless things, and honestly, my time there definitely influenced my passion for food. Hostessing in college at this oft-acclaimed and equally criticized restaurant was perhaps one of the most demanding but fun jobs I have ever had. The parties were absolutely fabulous and it was a wonderful place for networking and learning the value and importance of gracious customer service.

I am happy to see Charlie return to the space and to still have the opportunity to walk around the corner for delicious sushi (half price at that)! Although he created some of the original and amazing maki on Beluga's sushi list, you honestly cannot beat Beluga's fresh sushi. I will miss treating myself but will also enjoy indulging in the new Dancing Wasabi 2 space where it may just be a little softer on the pocket.

Best of luck to Cindy, Mike & Toon and their next adventures. Thank you for everything!

Enjoying sushi with the British bestie, Summer 2006