Wasabi — Restaurant in City of Hudson

After fighting with the difficult street parking situation, I finally made it for a late lunch in this small restaurant. Luckily, there was still a place left at the 5-seat sushi bar, adorned with one of those plastic photo place mats, paper napkins and waribashi. Since the one server was a bit busy, the manager quickly left the prep area, and politely greeted me. The bound menu he presented me had a few too many photos for my liking, but I was glad to see a large selection of both nigiri and sake.

I looked around the bar after I ordered a few nigiri and a couple of maki. The decor was a bit different - with about a hundred empty sake bottles suspended from the ceiling, and a strange waterfall/water feature splashing over in the corner.

As I enjoyed my pleasant soup, I noticed something I almost never see: the sushi display cooler (photo) did not have the usual plastic tubs containing pre-mixed fillings. This welcome revelation was reinforced as I watched my sushi chef prepare one of my maki, by chopping up the salmon and mixing in the other ingredients right in front of me. Unfortunately, this newfound interest in his work now saddened me when I watched him open a bought-in, sealed, chilled box of pre-cut tamago slices. I can see that the actual kitchen is really small, but it is still big enough to cook eggs. But these insights are why I always sit at the sushi bar.

The main arrived, simply, competently plated (photo). The rice was well seasoned. Both maki were pleasant, a slightly spicy salmon with small chunks of fish still visible; a bit more so than the eel cucumber maki. The hirame was excellent, the best of the nigiri. The tamago was the least of the presentation, but it was not bad, although bought-in, as I previously mentioned. Also, unfortunately, as occurs too often in the region's sushi bars, none of the nigiri had the added step of placing wasabi under the fish.

What is the name of this restaurant again?

I was very happy with my visit, and I will return again. Most of the minor problems could just be personal preference. But with a few fixes, it would be worth the 50 minute travel on a regular...

I found a hair in my food and was treated like I was lying when my hair wasn't even the color of the hair in my food. Then the waitress asked if I wanted the food boxed up telling me it was still good. I was dumbfounded and said no I am fine I do not want it anymore. Then the owner came over with an attitude implying that I planted the hair in the food because it couldnt have possibly got there, they are wearing hair nets, and none of the staff have that color hair. Then they tried to tell me they were charging me for the food that I barely even ate and gave me an attitude until I left. No apology or anything. Bad service never...

I have been going to Wasabi for the last 11 years while working in Hudson. The sushi, lunch box specials, and other food has been excellent. It is always well presented and the prices are very reasonable. The sushi has generous chunks of fish that taste fresh every visit. The Wasabi and ginger is what you would expect at a higher end sushi restaurant. I have always felt great after eating here. Of the hundreds of times I have visited they've never gotten an order wrong. The staff is very friendly and the expediter is always eager to converse. Thank you Wasabi for all the years of sushi and I wish you much success...