Sushi Café
Two locations:
• 4491 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento
(916) 452-6888
Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 2:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
• 1221 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento
(916) 451-6888
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, 4-10 p.m. Sunday
Happy hour: 2:30-5:30 Monday-Saturday
The real steal: Select sushi rolls are $5 each. These aren't dinky, shrunken happy hour rolls, either. They're full-sized and handcrafted at the restaurant's humble but full-service sushi bar. Each location has its own list of options, with just a little bit of overlap. One such choice is the Rock 'n' Roll. This hefty roll is made with unagi, avocado and shrimp tempura, rolled in seaweed and then rice, dipped in tempura batter and then fried and drizzled in sweet, creamy sauce and topped with sesame seeds.
If sushi isn't your bag, though, fear not. The Freeport location offers nearly a dozen different glazed and grilled skewers and small plates for $2 a serving – asparagus, calamari steak, shiitake mushrooms, tiger shrimp skewers, or a plate of chilled, slightly sweet kimchi with some serious kick at the end, just to name a few. The Alhambra location offers meal deals: $10 for any entrée and a glass of wine, or any roll with a beer.
The vibe: Each location is distinctive. The brightly lit, simply decorated Freeport Boulevard cafe has the feel of a family-owned, family-friendly neighborhood favorite. The Alhambra location is decorated in dark, soothing colors, and plants abound. Both restaurants, however, exude an upbeat cheeriness, and during happy hour, both get busy.
Signature drink: Well, it seems an obvious choice to grab a Japanese beer or some sake with your Japanese food, and Sushi Café is glad to oblige. Draft beers are on special during happy hour – Kirin and Sapporo are $2.50 on Alhambra. At the Freeport location, Kirin, Sapporo and Pacífico are $2.50 and Bud Light is $2.
Take a seat: Watch your meal and others being prepared at the sushi bar. The bar at the Alhambra location allows for a much better view than at the Freeport shop. The Freeport location, though, has several tables near windows where you can catch the sun at the perfect angle. It illuminates the room without creating a nasty glare or heating it up like a pressure cooker.
Bathroom break: At the Freeport cafe, you walk all the way to the back of the restaurant and through saloon-style swinging doors. Be mindful to duck under the decorative curtain, which poses a problem to anyone more than 5 feet tall. This is the most remarkable feature of either of the locations' facilities.
Something extra: Don't forget to ask for a dish of edamame to tide you over while you wait for your meal. It's a healthy and fun-to-eat alternative to the standard chips or bread.
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