Review: Uchi
May 19, 2008
Uchi is a sushi restaurant, but they have a handful of vegetarian options. The restaurant is owned by Tyson Cole, a young chef who has received a lifetime of accolades, and was recently a contestant on Food Network’s Iron Chef America where he battled Chef Masaharu Morimoto. He lost, but that’s generally what happens to those who battle Morimoto.
I wound up sitting at the sushi bar, which was both gross and cool. Gross, because I could smell the fish, but cool because I was able to watch the sushi chefs work, and they are very talented with their knives! I started off with a sake that said it had hints of papaya ($8). I didn’t taste any papaya, but it was good sake anyways.
My appetizer was tempura battered brie with apple chutney ($9). This was pretty decent, but I thought it would have been better with goat cheese. For my entree, I ordered off the seasonal menu, and had a surprisingly amazing slice of cauliflower ($13). That’s right, the only thing on my plate was a slice of cauliflower in a sauce. I was wary about ordering it, but my waitress convinced me that it delicious, and it was! It was slow roasted and topped with a golden raisin sauce and fennel pollen. It was also surprisingly filling.
For dessert, I ordered the creme caramel with brown butter sorbet in a ginger consumee ($9). The creme carmel, as it turns out was just flan, and tasted just like…flan. Not spectacular. But the brown butter sorbet was excellent- the flavor was so strong, but it tasted so light. I almost would have preferred an ice cream texture to match the richness of the flavor. The ginger consumee was deliciously gingery. It would make an excellent tea.
Other vegetarian options include: edamame, tempura, salad, tofu and tons of fish.
Vegan Friendly: *
Vegetarian Friendly: **
Fish Friendly: ****
Price: $$$
Service: ****
Atmosphere: ****
801 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-4808
