Le Sushi Bar Updates its Menu

It has really been a while since I last visited The Sushi Bar. I'm not sure how to explain it but something weird happens to me every time I come here. I’m always amazed and always overwhelmed. It is one of the finest Japanese restaurants in Lebanon is on a league of its own.

Every time I walk in, it’s like the first time – the same excitement. The experience starts at the stairs that leads you up to the restaurant. A glass door opens and a breath of fresh air sucks you in. Light wood, dimmed lighting and soft music set around the middle bar is what Le Sushi Bar is all about.

I believe Le Sushi Bar is our local version of Dubai's Zuma.

The menu lands on the table, a waitress approaches with a smile while you wait to be served. Chopsticks in their wrapping, blue napkins and two glasses, fine glasses of water and wine.

I love the 15 years special menu with the many pages that come after it. Lunch sets, edamame, soups, salads, on ice, small plates, tempura, noodles, from the kitchen, sides, sushi maki and sashimi.

Tonight I was experimenting some new additions:

• The new crab salad: A gigantic portion of crab - I say gigantic because they are fresh crabs- with bits of crab and diced chili pepper decorated with a chiso leaf on the side. 
• The local tuna with radish, roquette crest and dycon. Thickly sliced tuna with a bit of sauce on top. A hint of spiciness, a punch of lime... Finesse with simplicity.
• Chimeji mushroom tempura: a mountain of mini mushrooms with a juicy and moist heart and a crunchy border topped with a wasabi sauce.  That's an amazing plate with hints of spiciness, a delicious sauce and some great mushrooms.
• Grass fed Australian meat that's good indeed but the sauce is even better or what makes this plate a signature. A miso butter that's sour, umami flavors, warm and leaves a long lasting impression.
• What I love about Le Sushi Bar rolls is their presentation. When you see a sushi plate from Le Sushi Bar it just stands out. The crest leaves, the sauce on one side, the display and the hand rolled with perfection pieces. Impeccable is the least that can be said. The yellow bell pepper sauce, the tuna, the toro, perfect cooked rice... It’s really awesome.
• The stripped roll or the open nori is a new innovation signature of Le Sushi Bar. A nori standing alone on its stand and filled with a fine selection of diced fish and accompaniments each enjoyed in style.

• They also have a new crazy maki roll, maybe the only one in the country without pink commercial crab. A maki roll that starts with a crunchy note, chewy middle experience and a light touch of sweetness for a long lasting freshness. It’s a must try.
• Teriyaki salmon: not like any other, but a teriyaki of a high-end restaurant. Perfect salmon quality, equilibrated sweetness and aromas of onions without the strong taste.  It’s nice! 

• The ginger is tasty and fresh… but wait; something new and unique has been introduced. Shredded Ginger root on sharkskin a-la-minute. It tastes like heaven.

It's a ritual, visiting Le Sushi Bar once a year makes me feel good…