re-review: Umi Sushi
When first we tried Umi Sushi in downtown Ellicott City it had been open for a handful of weeks if not days, and we found it relentlessly terrible. The miso was underseasoned and salad dressing excessively so, the fish was simply not fresh enough to eat, and the dessert was some previously frozen monstrosity, not entirely defrosted.
Over covid, though, it was universally reviewed as stellar, so as we're feeling more up for venturing to restaurants these days - at least outdoor ones - we decided to give it another go.
Umi's storefront is in the middle of EC's historic downtown area, and one can traverse a few steps down into an alley and a few steps back up to their deck. Going through the restaurant I believe one may make the same journey without steps, but I would not attest to it - fewer steps certainly, but I don't know if it's accessible.
Much of the deck is enclosed with an open-topped wall which may be pleasant in less plague-y days but which I found too confining, but they also have a few fully outdoor tables with umbrellas and heaters.
This time the miso was still a bit on the subtle side - I frankly preferred my husband's take on the dish, which adds dashi until the flavor is distinctly hearty. The salad was fine, although I thought their generosity with the dressing seemed excessive.
Sake was available, including by the flight, and the trio I got was interesting enough to find interesting pairings.
We opted to split a "lovers'" combo of 8 sushi, some sashimi and a couple of rolls. Predictably but disappointingly the fish was a bit monotonous, with the same easy favorites appearing in multiple forms, but that is I suppose to be expected. Next time I will return I will try the chirashi bowl or a single-person combo and judge the variety on that. And there surely be a next time - most of the fish tasted exactly right.
We split a tempura banana dessert; the breading was a bit heavy but the flavors came together well otherwise. Originally posted at https://leiacat.dreamwidth.org/353088.html. Please comment either there using OpenID or right here. I read both with the same distracted semi-frequency.
Over covid, though, it was universally reviewed as stellar, so as we're feeling more up for venturing to restaurants these days - at least outdoor ones - we decided to give it another go.
Umi's storefront is in the middle of EC's historic downtown area, and one can traverse a few steps down into an alley and a few steps back up to their deck. Going through the restaurant I believe one may make the same journey without steps, but I would not attest to it - fewer steps certainly, but I don't know if it's accessible.
Much of the deck is enclosed with an open-topped wall which may be pleasant in less plague-y days but which I found too confining, but they also have a few fully outdoor tables with umbrellas and heaters.
This time the miso was still a bit on the subtle side - I frankly preferred my husband's take on the dish, which adds dashi until the flavor is distinctly hearty. The salad was fine, although I thought their generosity with the dressing seemed excessive.
Sake was available, including by the flight, and the trio I got was interesting enough to find interesting pairings.
We opted to split a "lovers'" combo of 8 sushi, some sashimi and a couple of rolls. Predictably but disappointingly the fish was a bit monotonous, with the same easy favorites appearing in multiple forms, but that is I suppose to be expected. Next time I will return I will try the chirashi bowl or a single-person combo and judge the variety on that. And there surely be a next time - most of the fish tasted exactly right.
We split a tempura banana dessert; the breading was a bit heavy but the flavors came together well otherwise. Originally posted at https://leiacat.dreamwidth.org/353088.html. Please comment either there using OpenID or right here. I read both with the same distracted semi-frequency.