Every wedding anniversary for RJ and me is uniquely memorable. We cherish one-of-a-kind adventures that help us reconnect. This past year, RJ discovered a wonderful foodie experience for us to try out in Dallas. It featured three private chefs, a cozy basement-style room, and 16 deliciously prepared sushi courses. We’ve never had an experience quite like this! Read on to see how we fared and if it sounds like something you would be interested in sharing with your favorite person for a special occasion. 

A little history about us and sushi—we are huge fans! My first experience was grabbing sushi to go at our college student union—don’t judge me! From there, I graduated from store-bought California Rolls to restaurant-savvy Yellowtail Rolls and beyond. Needless to say, we have come a long way in our sushi tastes.

Upon entering Sushi Bar, we didn’t know what to expect but were excited nonetheless. We were welcomed with complimentary drinks—sake for RJ and an alcohol-free sparkling green tea that is now on my list of must-have dry cocktails.

After a brief reception in the petite lobby, we were guided downstairs to a sliding door leading into a romantic dimly lit room centered around a wrap-around sushi bar. Each of the 12 guests had a personalized golden nameplate adorning their place setting, a small bowl of pickled cucumber salad with ginger, and a circular dish for each sushi course.

Our chefs introduced themselves and explained how the evening would unfold:

– There would be no chopsticks or utensils of any kind; we would be eating with our hands. Warm towels were provided to keep our fingers clean.

– Each course was intended to be experienced as a single bite, enhancing the flavors as they complemented one another. 

– We were encouraged to ask questions and immerse ourselves in the evening of sushi creativity.

RJ and I dove right into our first bite: a tuna tartare in a sushi taco, fittingly named “Tartare.” It was a delightful start to our experience, and it only got better from there! When I bit into the sushi, my mind would predict what flavors to expect based on past experiences. However, mid-bite, my taste buds were whisked away into a realm of culinary twists and turns, unveiling flavors and textures I had never encountered before.

It was fantastic to learn about our chefs and witness their skilled culinary innovations. I was especially impressed by the precision with which they filleted the delicate pieces of fish, treating each piece with the utmost respect.

While all the courses were top-notch, I’ll share my top five favorites from the 16 courses:

1. **Hotate**: A sweet, plump scallop with delicious butter that melted in my mouth.

2. **Chutoro**: The medium fatty part of the tuna belly.

3. **Otoro**: The fattiest segment of the tuna belly—rich and tender.

4. **Zuwaigani**: A sweet and creamy snow crab sushi.

5. **Wagyu**: Cooked to tender perfection.

To finish off the evening, we were served a light coconut ice cream with a tasty cookie crumble. Although it wasn’t my favorite dessert, it packed a flavorful punch and was delightfully refreshing.

After the evening’s festivities, we made our way to the neighboring bar, Ginger’s, which was a short walk through a door connecting both locations. I enjoyed my sparkling tea as we soaked in the dim, romantic setting. Reflecting on our delicious evening, we felt grateful for the time we shared together.

I hope this encourages you to try a unique experience with those who bring you joy! As much as I love discovering new sushi finds, I treasure the time spent with my favorite guy of 13 years even more.

Cheers and happy adventures,

-Kim