You'd think it would be easy to write a review about one of your favorite restaurants of all time, but I've hesitated writing this one for a while. Maybe I love it so much, I don't know how to put it into words; or maybe I'm scared I'll overhype it.
So far though, I think all of the people we've sent to Sugarfish would say that, if anything, we undersold it. Usually when I take people here two things happen: One, they think it's the best sushi ever, even if the sushi they thought they liked is full of spicy mayo and deep fried, and two, they usually say a few weeks later that we've ruined sushi for them because Sugarfish opened their eyes to how sushi should be. So needless to say, if you're trying to widen your sushi horizons, consider Sugarfish the gateway drug to a high-end sushi addiction.
There are a couple of things that makes this place so great. First of all, they are consistent. Every time we go is just as good as the last, both in terms of the sushi and the service (although I have to admit that the LA Sugarfish locations tend to be better than NYC). Second, this place is an efficient, well-oiled machine. You can chalk that up to the fact that nearly everyone orders one of the set "trust me" menus (that's the move, don't deviate). The repetition means that everything in your order will come out like clockwork, one item after the next, which is important in sushi because the temperature of the fish and rice is right where it should be when it makes it to your mouth. The last thing that makes Sugarfish awesome is the fish always seems to be really high quality. The fresh, buttery fish can convert someone who's on the fence about raw seafood into a believer.
So in case you couldn't tell, I like this place and recommend it to just about everyone. I've said before that this is what I would choose for my last meal, and while there is be better sushi out there (Sushi Kashiba for instance), I'm convinced you'll never get more bang for your buck at any other sushi establishment. After talking this place up, most people are shocked to learn it'll only set you back $35 - $45 per person, depending on what you get and if you go for lunch or dinner (lunch is cheaper). So if you're in LA or New York, don't hesitate to put this on your list. In the words of Ferris Beuller, during the post credit scene, "You're still here? It's over. Go!"
