New Zealand cafe that is!This is a picture from our favorite sushi spot in town, where we have the pleasure of dining every Monday. If you have any experience with the sushi in Charlotte than you know your options are limited.
Nikkos, which continues to hold the city's title for favorite sushi, has personally let us down on more than one occasion. No, it wasn't Nikko herself leaping onto our table with her baby in tow yelling "sake bomb!" so much as it was the not so fresh feeling tuna they attempted to serve us. There doesn't seem to be a need for details so we will carry on.
Sushi 101 offers you mediocre service with a frown and once again compromised tuna. Remember we are BIG advocates of fresh food and knowledgeable staff, so the fact our server was rude and tried to tell us "tuna sometimes looks that color," we no longer give them money.
Rusans is where I have a soft spot, on and off but a soft spot all the same. Being the first sushi experience I had in the city it remains nostalgic. High energy yet staying casual it was good for most any occasion. The problem lies within the consistency, meaning the sanitation score goes up and down like a mood swing. If you're going to push a sushi lunch buffet, please keep your sani close to 100 and not high 80's; I shamefully compromised my stomach lining a few times.
Finally, our sushi loving journey brought us to New Zealand, a small quaint place my fellow yelpers turned me onto. This locally owned and operated spot has 40 seats and 5 at the bar, it stays relatively full but you never have a wait. The decor isn't much and the music will send you through a few time warps but the sushi makes it the most desired spot in town for those who know. People who enjoy the sushi experience for the fresh fish and not the see and be seen environment will find the beauty in New Zealand!
