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KATA ROBATA
3600 Kirby Dr
(713-526-8858)
Open Mon–Thur 11:30–3 & 4–10:30, Fri 11:30–3 & 4–11, Sat noon–11, Sun noon–10. Reservations accepted.
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$$-$$$ |
Japanese |
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(From May 2011) More than fine sushi, this high-energy spot experiments with unusual techniques and unlikely combinations. Ex-ample? Let us mention dessert first—a sponge cake–like frozen chocolate mousse sprinkled with cilantro and de-hydrated meringue chips. (Yes, it was excellent.) Other standouts? Smoked duck over greens with wasabi vinai-grette; grilled yellowtail with brussels sprouts, tiny mushrooms, and grapefruit “pearlsâ€; and braised pork belly with spinach in a dark, sweet gravy. Ãœbercool. Bar. |
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KUBO’S JAPANESE SUSHI BAR AND GRILL
2414 University Blvd, 2nd floor
(713-528-7878)
Open Mon–Thur 11:30–10, Fri 11:30–11, Sat noon–10:30, Sun noon–9.
web site | map | latest review | access ++ | add to library |
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$$—$$$ |
Japanese /
Seafood |
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(From December 2010) This up-the-escalator mall site is a go-to spot for Rice Village shoppers and multigenerational Japanese-American families. We found the fried pork dumplings so meltingly good we wished we’d doubled our order; fortunately, the crisp vegetable tempura that followed helped assuage our grief. We finished with a chef’s choice sushi platter and gave it (and him) high marks. Look for special seafood flown in from Japan’s Tsukiji market on the weekends. Bar. |
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SUSHI RAKU
3201 Louisiana, at Elgin
(713-526-8885)
Open Mon–Thur 11:30–10, Fri 11:30–midnight, Sat noon–midnight, Sun noon–10. Reservations recommended.
web site | map | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library |
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$$–$$$ |
Japanese |
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(From October 2010) Though sushi bars proliferate, we still gladly drive to Midtown for a visual feast as stylish as the food. The sushi chefs take center stage, serving up elegant rolls (blackened tuna with crab and jalapeño) and luxurious sashimi (bigeye golden snapper flown in from Tokyo). We also thoroughly enjoy the robata steak skewers, the pepper tuna salad with arugula and goat cheese, and the exotic mushroom papillote with bok choy in lemon butter. Bar. |
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