9 Style Sushi — Restaurant in San Clemente

First things first, this place is tiny, this place is in a run down shopping center with less than a dozen parking spots and looks more like a liquor store from a distance and more like a grimy massage parlor as you get closer. Take a step inside and all those thoughts fall away. It's not small, it's intimate and with bamboo curtain partitions for the wall booths available it's intimate in a good way. The parking is a product of the environment in that parking is at a premium in the entire city and the run down nature is quirky because it's as "locals only" as it gets. Less couples and singles and small families getting something quick and easy.

It's Japanese without the Hawaiian influences you'll see sometimes and it's most noticeable in the poke salad which has white fish, tuna, salmon and octopus, an excellent mix, but the diced and marinated cucumbers versus wakame really made me think less salad and more Carpaccio. I was expecting ponzu based dressing, but this was more of that marinade slightly vinegary flavor. Small, but potent. Tuna and salmon so soft even picking it up with chopsticks took precision. Good flavor and fresh ingredients.

Yellowtail maki rolls were excellent, tight, proportioned, fresh. Spicy yellowtail cut rolls were a little sloppy. Actually most of their cut rolls weren't as solid as I'd have liked and I'm experienced with chopsticks. I don't think it's the rice because I found it to be delicate and soft. Hand rolls were excellent in flavor and construction. Their fried items took a little longer, but they aren't chalk loaded with them so that's good. The Pink panther roll uses that soft soy paper and it too was delicate, imo too much cucumber, but the spicy tuna was creamier than expected.

Roe was very good, well plated, fresh. King Crab was almost ornate with bonito flakes looking like palm fronds and fresh crab meat was succulent and sweet. Salmon was soft, but I'll be honest seemed like they skimped on the amount. I'm accustomed to more overhang.

Green tea was pretty good, a little silty, but multiple refills were in order. Their service was good, but they could use more attention as there was some lulls and waiting between check ups. The enthusiastic nature of the chef's in greeting and farewelling to guests is pleasant. Some places the chefs are too enthusiastic and more often than not are drinking, not the case here.

Some pluses are the dark wood décor, unique plates. They use the hot pink ginger and I found their wasabi a little weak. Beers were average priced. Nigiri menu could be easier to fill out and I'm glad they repeat and confirm the menu. They'll dim the lighting around 8pm. It's quaint and suits the area. The food is nothing but fresh and well worth a look despite it's outside appearance it's probably the best sushi for it's...

If it was possible I would give this Sushi "restaurant" a -5 stars. As a former restaurant manager; I understand difficulties and things going wrong. We ordered waters and an appetizer then we had to flag a separate waiter down to even order our food. After 30mins I checked with our initial waiter to make sure our order was received by the kitchen; he replies yes and informs me that they have a lot of orders; I reciprocated the message to my party however 2 parties came and went with meals; drinks, and all and still nothing. I flag Our waiter down again asking if the cooks have even began to prepare our order (mind you consistent entirely of raw fish) he replies no, I inform him we will be leaving and going to another restaurant because my party of 4 was tired of the poor service and ultimately not having our food we inform our server of our decision just so he can pull the tickets form the line; he replies no worries and I will clear that for you guys. we replied have a great night and walk out. We then go to the store next to it to buy some snacks for our house since we still haven't had dinner; the manager and another server come running out of the "restaurant" as if we had dined and dashed. The server was quick the catch an attitude and informs my party that the other server didn't communicate that information to her. Clearly a business structure problem here that needs to be addressed immediately; it might be better if they just close up shop all together they provide no asset to the local community. I own millions of dollars in local real estate which draws in many out of town guests year round; I will make note for all guests to avoid this restaurant entirely. This was a very unfortunate experience and ultimately handled poorly by the staff; they may want to look into unemployment or another job because this "restaurant" has no business being open and serving the public with all the flaws they...

My sashimi lunch plate today was shocking. Both pieces of octopus were leathery, and the shrimp was so tough I couldn't work a bite through it. No exaggeration. I have strong, healthy teeth and I couldn't bite through the shrimp. How does that even happen?

When I informed the server the shrimp was literally inedible, she said, "Oh, sorry," and brought us the check. No offer to replace the piece of shrimp, no removal of that piece from the check. Real classy move, there.

The rest of the sashimi pieces were weirdly dressed with sauces, garnishes like garlic, onions, and bonito flake, and thin lemon slices rolled into the salmon sashimi. Under the "extras" that I've never seen on a sashimi plate anywhere, the fish nevertheless tasted more fishy than fresh. I was suspicious we were being served yesterday's ingredients, or even older.

I stupidly ate what I could chew to be polite, but now hugely regret not sending the sashimi back the instant I recognized the carelessness that led to plating the inedible shrimp and jerky-esque octopus. I had a bite of my dad's eel, which was very tasty, and the salad was okay.

But I would strongly discourage anyone from ordering the sashimi, particularly at opening, since it seems like they hadn't had a fresh delivery yet and were relying on old stock.

Fingers crossed this was merely a disappointing experience and not...