The look: Tiger Sushi has the largest sushi bar I have encountered in the Twin Cities. It sprawls through the center of the dining room like a freshly caught fish waiting to be precisely sliced and prepared for your enjoyment. The walls are simply decorated; brightly colored panels bounce light around the vibrant room in colors of tangerine, custard, and sea foam. But the most striking aspects of the ambience are the two walls facing Lyndale Avenue and the Greenway corridor. All glass from ceiling to floor, they act as a visual bridge between the restaurant and the surrounding neighborhood.
The crowd: Let’s face it, sushi is a trendy thing and Uptown is a trendy place. The after-dinner crowd was clearly comprised of couples and small groups looking to get a preview of Uptown’s newest hot spot. In addition to the curious socialites were clusters of insiders from both the service industry and the local theater scene.
The drinks: So, I got a little over eager on this one. I stopped in to Tiger Sushi on the fifth full day they were open to the public. My bartenders Cameron and Joel informed me that they were still waiting for the key ingredients for their specialty cocktails and thus, couldn’t give me the proper Tiger Sushi drinking experience. When the key components do arrive, Tiger will be offering original recipe cocktails featuring infused vodkas and sakes that will complement the menu with flavors of lemongrass, ginger, and more. I guess it goes to show you that good things come to those who wait, or in my case, those who come back later.
Despite my early arrival, Joel and Cameron gave me the VIP treatment and allowed me to try the only house cocktail they could make with what they had on-hand, a concoction they called “The Drink That Has No Name.” Equal parts Crown Royal, Southern Comfort, and Grand Marnier with a thick aromatic twist of orange rising from the ice like a plume of fruit, I would have named it “Orange Blossom Honey.” Admittedly, the DTHNN was not something I would order often, but it was smooth, nutty, and lightly sweet. If I had been sitting in a rocking chair on a sunny porch I would have been thoroughly content.
I was also lucky enough to be at the bar when one of the owners brought out a sample of tequila freshly infused with habanero pepper. Cautiously, I partook in the taste test and was rewarded with a spicy nip of tequila that burned—but did not blister—my tongue. Someday, they are going to be making some ass-kicking margaritas at that bar.
The food: The cuisine at Tiger Sushi has some traditional Japanese as well as Asian fusion dishes, but the focus is the sushi. The specialty rolls are largely formed around shrimp tempura and contain a lot of sauces and infused cream cheese which may be a turn off for sushi snobs, but judging from the salmon nigiri I had that melted in my mouth, even the purists will find what they are looking for.
The verdict: The wraparound glass façade and inviting interior make Tiger Sushi the newest place to “be seen” in Uptown. Everything this (in)fusion restaurant offers seems to have a little something extra in it; there is an enthusiasm to their approach that is decadent but fun.
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