The Eatery Serves Sushi With a Touch of Rock 'n' Roll

By Leslie Horne

It's clear The Eatery is no traditional sushi joint.

The Eatery is one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. Hip, edgy and the perfect spot for pretty much any occasion, it's basically sushi on steroids. Situated on the west side of Kitsilano, it's got it all - cool atmosphere, great food, great service and something for just about everyone. There’s nothing boring about it -and that’s what makes The Eatery so addictive.

The prices are reasonable and anyone can feel at home there. Although it generally attracts the University crowd, you’d feel comfortable taking your kids or grandparents to The Eatery. That’s unless they are opposed to loud music, funky artwork, candlelight and odd looking superheroes and mutant fish hovering overhead – but that’s all part of the experience.

With 16 pages and more than 100 items, the menu reads like a good novel; it’s hard to put down. Sure, you could order regular run-of-the-mill, traditional-style sushi, but why would you bother? Deciding what to order is a heroic act in itself, and it would take the average person about a year to eat through the menu in its entirety. Good thing the staff is always eager to offer suggestions if you have trouble deciding.

Everything on the menu is great, and giving up your current favourite item for a potentially new one takes courage. A majority of the items are unique to The Eatery and cannot be found anywhere else. And if they can, The Eatery finds a way to make those items just that much more unique.

Some of my personal favorites include the Volcano, a tuna, scallop, salmon and avocado roll finished tempura style, atop a bed of spicy crab meat and finished with an assortment of spicy sauces. The flavours literally erupt in your mouth.

Other great finds include the Tuna Tempura (so I’ve been told) was created by mistake. Owner Randy, a unique character who has been described by some as “the Asian Elvis” says its union reflected the birth of the Recess Pieces Peanut Butter Cup. “It came together by mistake – and ‘oops!’ - there you have it.” Zingy tempura slices dressed in an unagi sauce and mayo, served with a side of ponzu sauce for dipping.

I can’t visit The Eatery without ordering the Goma ae, which in my opinion, is the best in town. It’s simply done but ‘zippier’ than most other versions I’ve tried. The rolls are all as unique as their names and nothing is ordinary. The Viva Las Vegas Roll is a must try - crab, eel, avocado cream cheese and spicy misonnaise done tempura style, or the Yummy Yam Roll packed full of sweet tempura yams. The Eatery has fabulous assorted sushi platters ranging from $20 to $50 which I highly recommend for the indecisive.

What I appreciate from the diversity of the menu is that it’s more than just sushi, offering numerous options for those who may be less inclined to eat the raw stuff. This is a huge draw for anyone trying to find a place that works for everyone. From soups to salads; noodle bowls to curries; hot wings to chicken strips; and everything in between. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something to enjoy. And we can’t forget the beverages – they’ve got these covered too.

Although reservations are accepted, my suggestion is to get there early as the place fills up fast most nights. Visit www.theeatery.ca for more information.