Sushi House: Spirits in the Sixth Borough

LocalBozo.com has sent one of our correspondents out for some field research, as our own Link Cromwell attempts to bar crawl his way through Hoboken, New Jersey- just a stone’s throw away from Manhattan. Check back for his adventures and travels every single Friday as LocalBozo.com attempts to do the unimaginable. And yes, it involves drinking.

Dive bars alone cannot capture the entire essence of drinking in Hoboken. When this journey began, I tasked myself with imbibing at any place in the area where you can grab a drink, and as such, I was forced to venture to all sorts of places- including restaurants, unorthadox for being considered ‘drinking establishments.’ From time to time I love to pair the ‘sauce’ with a saucy meal. Although I’m breaking my own rule a bit, enter Sushi House, this week’s edition of ‘Spirits in the Sixth Borough.’

Sushi House is first and foremost a restaurant. At this point many of you might be asking; “Hey Link what’s the deal?” And to you I would say, hold your horses you naysayers! Yes, it is true that Sushi House is not a bar, and they don’t even serve liquor. But, it is their casual B.Y.O.B policy that makes this Japanese joint a welcome edition to my ongoing Hoboken bar crawl. Step inside and you will find a friendly and ornately designed restaurant featuring one of the biggest sit-down sushi bars in town. Behind the bar you won’t find any bartenders, but expert sushi chefs presenting edible works of art for you to consume.

Even before you order an appetizer, make sure to stop at the liquor store or bodega down the street. Sushi House’s B.Y.O.B policy allows diners to pair their meals with any type of alcoholic beverage they feel works best. As a Sushi lover and purist, anytime I walk into the ‘House’ I come with two specific Japanese-centric spirits- tall cans of Asahi Dry and bottles of table Sake for my group of friends. Throughout your meal the attentive staff will open bottles for you and even keep them cold. All they ask is that you be responsible and don’t turn your dinner into a frat party.

Even though I love trying out new bars throughout Hoboken, it’s hard to pass up a ‘Top of the World Roll’ ($13.95) while drinking down an over-sized brew. If you come with a group of three or more I recommend you take one of the tables by the front door to do some people watching. But if you happen to come in as a pair you need to sit at the sushi bar. It’s a fun way to enjoy your meal and gulp down a spirit while seeing the rolls prepared right before your eyes. Just watch your intake or you might try to roll some sushi yourself. This is highly frowned upon.

So here’s the rundown…

Preconceived notion – Before entering Sushi House I thought it was simply a place to eat Japanese in Hoboken.

Bar Type – Restaurant with long, ornate sushi bar. No ‘bar,’ per se.

Crowd stereotype – After work diners and thirtysomething Hoboken locals.

Music – All I can recall is that it was played low to not interrupt anyone’s meal.

Value – Sushi House is B.Y.O.B., Therefore you are welcome to bring a six pack of beer or a cheap bottle of wine and save on the typical bar prices.

Good for a….

Date – Fellas, this is a perfect place to bring a first date or girlfriend. The food is reasonably priced and tasty. And any spirits you bring in from the outside will surely liven up the date.

Hookup – A kiss or two is fine. But this is a restaurant and making out would certainly offend other diners.

Dance – Since this is a restaurant, you might want to save the dancing for one of the many clubs on Washington Street.

Catch up with a friend – Yes! And you get to share a great meal too.

First or last drink of the night – Since ‘Sushi House’ is a B.Y.O.B restaurant you can bring some sake, wine, or beer at any point during their business hours. I’d say start off here since the food is great and reasonably priced.

Overall – As I have stated, Sushi House is mostly a restaurant. And a good one at that. With a stacked menu of Japanese delights, they have been feeding hungry Hoboken sushi lovers for quite sometime. Yet in keeping with the boozy theme of this blog, their B.Y.O.B policy makes them a solid spot to enjoy anytime of beverage throughout the week. 7.0

-Link Cromwell

Completed Bars
Introduction
Halfway
Marathon Recap
Northern Soul – 9.3/10
Pilsner Haus and Biergarten – 9.3/10
The Clinton Social – 9.1/10
Cooper’s Union – 9.0/10
Havana Cafe – 9.0/10
The Turtle Club – 9.0/10
Bin 14 – 8.9/10
Court Street – 8.9/10
Hudson Tavern – 8.9/10
10th & Willow – 8.8/10
Elysian Cafe – 8.8/10
Grimaldi’s – 8.8/10
Madison Bar & Grill – 8.8/10
City Bistro – 8.7/10
Cork City – 8.7/10
Onieals – 8.7/10
Village Pourhouse – 8.7/10
1 Republik – 8.6/10
Mikie Squared – 8.5/10
Wicked Wolf Tavern – 8.5/10
Zack’s Oak Bar – 8.5/10
Black Bear Bar & Grill – 8.4/10
Moran’s – 8.4/10
Arthur’s Tavern – 8.3/10
Oddfellows – 8.1/10
Cucharamama – 8.0/10
Marty O’Brien’s Social Club – 8.0/10
The Dubliner – 8.0/10
Scotland Yard – 7.9/10
The Shannon – 7.9/10
Carpe Diem – 7.9/10
Helmers’ – 7.9/10
Teak – 7.8/10
Mulligan’s – 7.7/10
Karma Kafe – 7.7/10
DC’s Tavern – 7.7/10
Louise & Jerry’s – 7.7/10
Brass Rail – 7.6/10
Hoboken Bar and Grill – 7.5/10
Four L’s – 7.5/10
Liberty Bar – 7.5/10
Texas Arizona – 7.5/10
McSwiggans – 7.4/10
Nag’s Head – 7.4/10
Eight Street Tavern – 7.3/10
Maggie’s Place – 7.3/10
Three A’s – 7.3/10
The Tilted Kilt – 7.3/10
Whiskey Bar- 7.3/10
The Quays – 7.2/10
Wilton House – 6.0/10

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