TOKYO SUSHI ITAMAE SUSHI Akasaka

We had read so many good reviews & saw a very flattering endorsement from a fave YouTuber, but sadly, we were disappointed overall.

An FYI, alcohol orders have a requisite charge of 300¥ per person, yielding several slices of pickled cucumbers which we assumed to help prevent drinking on an empty stomach.

It happened to be just a minute away from our hotel. We checked our shoes & were led to a table, then soon after received our oshibori. We then waited. And waited. And wai... ordered some beer. And waite... ordered sushi with tempura & chawan-mushi. The tempura arrived first, followed by the chawan-mushi; I am used to restaurants that typically serve the lighter fare first as is the standard for serving your orders, though it probably becomes null with non-sushi.

Anyhoo, the tempura was greasy and had a heavy batter, and the piece of whitefish was terribly dry & flavorless.

The chawan-mushi custard was nice, but over-powered by the strong-flavor ed & briny ikura. The fish pieces within were not as fresh as one should expect.

The nigiri sushi was not especially fresh. Perhaps living in Los Angeles and having a couple of great sushi places nearby has spoiled me. But really, the fish was cut very thinly, much like what one would get from Mitsuwa or other inexpensive grocer. The two orders of a "citrus" combo were presented "differently;" "slapdash" is what the hubby said. The ankimo was somehow dry. The rice was over-cooked/soggy/sloppy.

We spent about $60 for 12 "basic" nigiri, a small tempura appetizer, a small chawan-mushi, & 2 bottles of Suntory (their only beer). I, personally wish we'd have opted for the homey place around the corner. Well, we now know not to trust foreigner reviews ;) & continue to typically avoid chains. Ha.