Ra Sushi

Ra Sushi Bar Restaurant
1390 Lancaster Street
Baltimore MD 21231
410-522-3200
Happy Hour 3-7 p.m. daily

"Best Sushi in Baltimore's Harbor Area" - CharmcityNoms

Now, we know that we said that we were going to avoid reviewing chain places, but Ra had to go on the blog because we just love it so much. This place offers a great happy hour with 1/2 off a good selection of sushi rolls, some sashimi and apps, as well as steep discounts on well drinks. This is an excellent place to go after work. We admit, the music is a little loud but the waitstaff is always accommodating when you ask for a "quiet" booth or table.

Our favorite rolls here are the Viva Las Vegas roll, Tootsy Maki, California, Spicy Tuna and the Shrimp Tempura roll. These also happen to be on the 1/2 off list for happy hour.

I'm also a huge fan of the Lobster Spring Rolls, which are crispy on the outside, gooey melty and flavorful on the inside with just a hint of sweet. Stuffed with hunks of lobster, cream cheese, red pepper and mango, the flavors all blend together so well, and the mango dipping sauce is a wonderful complement as its somehow very bland on its own but when paired with the spring rolls just brings out the best flavors of both.

The food is always so effing pretty. It comes to your table with fanfare and flourish, and at first there is a pang of guilt for disrupting the perfect harmony of the plate. It's easy to get over that, though, and then you're face deep in sushi and really, is there anything better?

The Viva Las Vegas roll has a tiny kick to it, so if you can't do spicy then stay away. The Spicy Tuna roll is the same (obvs, it has "spicy" in the title). If you're mild tummy-ed like me, stick to the California, Tootsy Maki and Shrimp Tempura, they'll be gentle. These have milder flavors to them, but a calm creaminess as well.

Here, the waitresses have always been great. Of the several times we've been we've never gotten bad service. The sushi comes out quick, and rarely all at the same time, it arrives as it's finished so if you're really polite and want to wait, it can be difficult.

As with most sushi places the kitchen and the sushi bar run independently of each other so kitchen food and sushi will not arrive simultaneously. This can bother some people but we're the laid back type.

Also for dessert you have to try their fried ice cream. It's like baby Jesus on a plate. Cinnamony sweet, creamy and crunchy and drizzled with all sorts of sugary goodness.

Just look at the pictures. How can you not want to go?

5 NOMS

Dave's 2 Cents:

yea yea, I know. No chain restaurants. But here's the thing, I couldn't tell it was a chain! I was super surprised when I found out yesterday. Well, not a typical chain (100s-1000s of stores), but it does one store per major city.

I am not going to bore you with semantics. All I will say is, if you love sushi and are in the Inner harbor area, go here. Period.