Cowa-Saké — Restaurant in Hickory

Hickory’s Cowa-Saké (pronounced Kawasaki) Restaurant is a fusion of cuisines. The “Cowa” part represents meat from sumptuous piled high burgers accompanied with a generous portion of seasoned fries to delicate thinly sliced wagyu beef.  The Saké part denotes a mélange of Asian flavors, particularly Japanese, Korean and Thai.  It is similar in concept, but not the same as Cowfish in Charlotte.

Typical of Lackey restaurants (Café Rule, Mas Amor, Vintage House) the interior is tastefully designed with a functional layout.  Tableware, plates, bespoke branded items and serving dishes show extreme attention to detail.  Architecturally resplendent, it has the feel and lighting of an intimate bistro but unexpectedly seats an estimated 80 people: ~30 indoors, 30 outdoors, 18 at the sushi bar, and 12 at the conventional bar.  Food can be ordered from any location.  The bar is stocked with the expected top shelf liquors and an impressive array of hard-to-find Japanese whiskeys, including Makoto, a single grain 23-year-old bushido whisky that retails for $500 per bottle.  There is a full complement of signature cocktails, Japanese beers, and sakes.

The food was artistically presented and delicious.  Pricing was premium, but a good value.  It is what you would spend at an upscale restaurant in Charlotte, but much less than in NYC.  We sampled a broad array of appetizers entrees and desserts, but honestly, this was probably less than 5% of an extensive menu.  I can comment only on what we ate.  Shown in the images:

Cowa-Sake Roll. Shrimp tempura, cucumber torched wagyu, togarashi, spicy mayo, fish eggs, scallions, and ponzu.

Wagyu beef. Seasoned with maldon salt, presented on a plate of ice, and self-cooked at the table on a hot tobanyaki rock. Tobanyaki is the Japanese term for “roast on a ceramic plate.”  At Cowa-Saké, rather than a plate there is a mini-grill heated with a hot rock allowing you to quickly cook to temperature a thinly sliced piece of richly marbled wagyu beef that literally melts in your mouth.

Yellowtail Carpaccio. Thinly sliced Hamachi with jalapeño pepper slices.  This was our favorite.  Delicate and flavorful.

Poke Tower.  A hearty appetizer. A mixture of ahi tuna, white fish, & salmon, tossed in sesame soy chili paste, and seaweed served with tempura crisps, resembling a nacho chip.  Yum.

Bacon N’ Cheddar 1/3 lb. beef burger.  Sharp cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and spicy mayo.  This mega burger is a great alternative for non-sushi eaters who prefer meat.

Dumplings. Hand rolled, (fried or steamed), served with spicy potsticker sauce.  We got steamed, which were outstanding, and according to our server was a client favorite.

Halibut.  A generous portion of mild, sweet tasting, firm white flesh that paired well with the bolder seasonings in the dish.  This was served on an onion rich bed of vegetables.

Bananas Foster Spring Roll.  Cut bananas wrapped in filo, flash fried and served with a hint of rum, and a large scoop of vanilla ice cream, flambéed tableside.

Flourless Chocolate.  This cake had a creamy, silky texture.  It was served with a raspberry compote, garnished with a mint leaf and fresh raspberries.

The service was excellent.  Our server (Britany) was knowledgeable, pleasant, and...

I’ve gone here when this place first opened. I went with a work group as a special dinner and the food was alright to average since it was the first opening month. I told myself not to go back but then I went back the second time for a work meeting. This time I got sides and sushi. Worst choice for me since I ended up with a stomach problem. So I just told myself it’s okay just won’t go back as it’s whatever to me. Today I went again for the third time as my siblings wanted to try it since they never gone and invited me to go out since it’s been awhile. I would’ve rather go to another place but for their experience I decided to go back to try again. No, I got there around 7:30ish while my siblings were already there for 20min. I enter no one greeted to help assist so I decided to just head to meet up where they were which was fine. I sat and waited for almost 10mins and finally asked where the waitress what’s her name? They didnt know or care to remember so I couldn’t even find out who it was, finally she came and nope no name to say and I really didn’t care at that point. I ordered 2 sushi rolls and 2 alcohol beverage. I went ahead with whole order when server came because why? She served them once and twice and never came back after 20min until I got there and I waited 8-10mins too also be served. Food came and I am allergic to shellfish and I read the menu carefully. I made sure sushi rolls had no shrimp and yea cross contamination but honestly I like sushi and a little Benadryl is good. After ordering we waited again I finished my water and waited for a refill. She came with a set of rolls and decided to take back because even we thought it wasn’t ours either but turns out it was, good thing we didn’t touch it but still it ended being ours. The food came and while talking and eating we never saw the waitress again . I wasn’t happy with the food but I knew already so what can I do? Nothing so I kept enjoying the hangout. While waiting she comes back and refills the water, and I wanted to question my cocktails but I didn’t want to and decide to trust in her to only finally ask and she didn’t place it. No bubble smoke nor was the cocktail strained well as I had this drink before, as I said, it was the third time at this restaurant and each time, and this one too, I go home needing to throw up my food due to it not settling well in my system. I’m sorry and not sorry but to see the waitress only 4-5 times and to get confuse on the orders. We were there for only 1 hour and 28 minutes And the other diners infront of me saw their waitress at least 8-10 times. After receiving the cocktail. We were ready to head out, um yes waited and waited and saw the other waitress 2 times and decided to just go up to the the booth to pay. Our waitress was sitting and saw one of us and says she was just about to come to us, yes you were going to or maybe you weren’t and got caught? I don’t care, at that point I just wanted to leave. This place is a wonderful vibe but make sure to Not sit at the other side at the rooster place and just wait to be seated at their original side, since you may be neglected too. If your wondering...

This was my first experience with Cawa-Sake. I was highly impressed. It was about 7:00PM on a Tuesday evening when I stopped in. The restaurant was quite busy. I was pleasantly greeted at the door and directed to my choice of seating which was at the front bar. The restaurant appeared to be very clean and upscale. Clientele were typically young to middle-aged professionals. Dress style was casual and appropriate for a hot summer evening. All of the wait staff were neatly dressed in matching attire. The waiters and waitresses were all professional and assisted each other as needed. Once seated I was promptly greeted by one of the three bartenders and provided drink and dinner menus. I initially ordered a cocktail and a glass of water. The cocktail was the restaurant version of an "Old Fashion". The drink was presented in a smoke-filled dome container which was unique. The Old-Fashioned glass held one large spherical ice cube. The cocktail tasted as it should and was very good. From the food menu, I ordered the "Hawaiian" burger.

While waiting for the food, I observed the surroundings. Interior seating was nicely arranged and included a separate sushi bar in front of the main kitchen window. On the exterior of the restaurant, ample seating was available for those who enjoy outdoor dining. Interior furnishings and decorations were colorful and reflected the Asian theme of the restaurant. The interior of the restaurant is spacious but not too large. The ambient noise level was tolerable given the volume of customers. One could hold a conversation with those seated with them. The evening I came to the restaurant was quite busy.

Napkins were black cloth and the silverware was clean and shiny. When my food arrived, it was very nicely presented. The burger was large and had to be cautiously handled. The bun eventually gave way and the remainder was consumed using a fork. All of the burger's components were very tasty and I highly enjoyed it. All of the food I saw being delivered was eye catching and plated artfully. All of the guests appeared happy and smiling.

Overall, Cowa-Sake is an upscale restaurant. Its pricing was appropriate for the quality of the food, presentation and attentive staff. I would definitely...