Sekushi at the Plaza — Restaurant in Belleair Bluffs

I'm not usually in this area so I wanted to try a few things while I was, and was really just looking for a nice place to sit down for a drink or two and maybe an appetizer. I saw this and love sushi and while the reviews seemed mix the ambiance and all the food photos looked like it would be a good place to try. I came in, was enthusiastically greeted by a few staff members, and sat at the bar. I had Gabs for a bartender and she was great- I asked for a drink recommendation and said I just don't like sweet drinks so she just toned it down on on the sweetness on the two drinks I ordered- I wish I could remember the names. One was a special not on the menu, gin based with some lovely juices and some lime uzu or something uzu sparkling drink in it- it was sweet by nature but nice and balanced and not too sweet. The other drink is on the main menu, vodka based with cucumber and grenadine and I forget what else and that was absolutely my kind of drink. I keep thinking I hate vodka, but i'm really just so hit or miss on vodka drinks but this one was definitely a hit for me! Drinks were strong but balanced, and honestly the same pricing I see everywhere. I did look through reviews before going here and noticed a lot of people complaining about either quality or pricing, and I did not have that issue. I ordered two different sushi rolls- one was a special a poke roll (poke bowl in a roll) I just remember salmon, tuna, and seaweed salad. I love seaweed salad, and try to go for salmon and tuna rolls, so right up my alley and it tasted great- the sushi rice was good (not dry like some lesser quality places might be, nor randomly vinegary like others), and the fish tasted like good quality. The second roll I got had spicy tuna and eel, and I got it because I love a good eel roll. Well, the ell was honestly to die for its been so long since I've seen it on a menu and since it's tasted that good- I'll definitely have to see about eel nigiri or sashimi next time. So to address the pricing, the rolls were $17 and $18 (the dirnks were cheaper, I want to say 12 or 14). Is that expensive? well, for a meal yeah, but for sushi I think that's pretty much normal now. They aren't itty bitty rolls, but what I think of as a normal size. The quality did taste like it was warranted to me, and I've eaten publix sushi, buffet sushi, and high end places for almost any occasion ever, so I feel like I know the cheap from the better (hence my earlier sushi rice comment, because if the rice tastes stale/dry/weird the fish sure as heck doesn't taste amazing either). If others know of cheaper good quality places, my real question would be is it anywhere in this area? Food everywhere has gone up, and anything near the beaches is usually jacked up, but honestly I don't think I've seen anything remarkably different price-wise ever since covid, and certainly wouldn't have minded paying the same at other sushi places I had been even pre-covid. Lastly, I got the cannoli dessert to-go. It's a wonton shell instead of the traditional cannoli shell. So, that was $10, but tbh I usually feel like I'm getting ripped off literally any sit down place when it comes to dessert prices, so judge that however you want to. That being said, they were good- I don't think I would say the wonton shell made them any better or worse than a traditional cannoli, but it certainly was a nice twist and intriguing to try. I loved that it had blueberries throughout, and the two cherries were a lovely touch. I would definitely come back in the future, with people with me so I get to try more options, definitely want to try some of the...

Grew up in Belleair bluffs for 18 years then moved to Nashville, Dallas, NYC, Los Angeles and a few more and am now back again. I know how sleepy the food scene is in Tampa on a large scale and after extended time on the west coast, we’ve been eagerly anticipating a noodle bar with sushi and tonkatsu ramen in a place we think is well suited for the concept.

Our first trip there was a flop and a disappointment. We got take out and the server was nice. It was easy to order. For what we got though, the prices are definitely abnormally high for this area, and even California for the same foods. $18 for ramen is pretty steep and the rolls are pricey as well. We got a variety from the menu to test out.

The ramen I would give a 1/5. It was the worst ramen I’ve ever gotten from a restaurant (aside from some of the at-home kinds). I’ve had a LOT of ramen, it’s one of my favorite foods, and I’ve found a few spots in Tampa that are decent for Florida. We have had regular spots we’ve frequented in various cities and this was pretty terrible. This broth is like watered down chicken noodle broth. Plainly put, it’s just not ramen broth. It’s soup but not traditional ramen. Tonkatsu broth is typically almost creamy, very salty, incredibly flavorful and consistent in its taste. This was really bland and almost clear, not what you’d find in most Asian restaurants. The noodles were overcooked and starchy, along with the bok choy. The mushrooms were undercooked and the pork was super super fatty and tasteless. I will say, the eggs were well done and flavorful. My husband didn’t take my word for it and after I took a bite and gave a thumbs down from me, he shrugged and dove in. We’ve really never had bad ramen so he was thinking that best. First thing he said was “oh man, bummer. I was hoping this would be our go-to.”

The sushi roll we got was decent. I’d give it a 3 or 4/5. Nothing we ate was awful and I’d maybe eat more of the sushi. Really disappointed in the ramen though. Definitely won’t be heading back any time soon but I’m sure it will do well for awhile if nothing else, because of a lacking of decent food...

We had dinner at Sekushi last night, 12/30/2021. We understand that it was the first night but… First off, our waiter Bob was extremely attentive, humorous and right on top of everything. Only a minor complaint and I’m confident it wasn’t his fault. We had a party of 4 and we ordered appetizers, salads, 3 sushi’s plates and 2 rice dishes plus wine, beer, mixed drinks and ICED TEA. Absolutely EVERYTHING came out at once and barely fit on the table. Thank heaven for the bus staff that were consistently going around clearing the empty plates. Quality… the appetizers were good as were the salads. I say good not outstanding. The fried rice was like eating Rice Krispies out of the box because when you ate it, it went snap crackle and pop. Burned to the bottom of the pan. The manager came over and asked how we were enjoying everything which was before I tried the rice. Gave him a great response. Should have tried everything first. (my fault) He asked if we would like some more tea and we accepted not knowing that every refill was $3.49. We spend more on the iced tea than the alcoholic drinks and that is not an exaggeration. Would have liked to have been informed that they charged for refills. Who does that in Florida? We have absolutely no problem spending money when it comes to a great meal but Sekushi and great should not be used in the same sentence in my opinion. I would say the food at best would be average and I’m extremely disappointed to say that. I do not believe in writing negative reviews because I would rather not say anything and just not go back again but this is so close to our home, I hope this will encourage some changes before we come back and try...