Life | 10/1/08

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Media Credit: Kristofer Marsh [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Kristofer Marsh [Click to enlarge]

There are about a dozen sushi restaurants located in the Towson area. After eating at RA Sushi in Harbor East, I can say wholeheartedly there is a new shogun in town.

I know most restaurants don't like to be compared to other restaurants. However, whenever an establishment reaches the top of its craft, providing both sumptuous cuisine and lavish ambiance, I think it stands.

RA Sushi is the Cheesecake Factory of the sushi/Japanese food world.

While the Cheesecake Factory dominates the dessert kingdom, RA perfects the art of the well-crafted sushi roll.

I liken the restaurant to a contemporary take on Eastern tradition and style blended with Western modernization and culture.

Located in trendy Harbor East, virtually a block from Fells Point, RA is the company's first Mid-Atlantic location, which I have no doubt will be booming with patrons come this weekend.

Between my dining companion, my photographer and I, we devoured tray after tray of appetizer and sushi items. To be blunt, they are all amazing.

Their top seller, the Tootsy Maki Roll, is a basic dish and a must for first-time RA goers. It's a simple dish, served with eight individual portions and priced at $8.25.

Without inflating or sensationalizing the Tootsy, essentially what is put in front of you is the basic idea of what you think of when you think sushi, with an added bonus of a sweeter finish.

Conversely, the Viva Las Vegas Roll is equally tantalizing with a more extravagant presentation. It was described to me by our exceedingly knowledgeable server, Sun, as a fried tempura roll topped with crabmeat and added touches of kani kama, cream cheese and a lotus root pinwheel for an edible decoration.

The sheer size of each roll is a little daunting, but I commend a restaurant for packing that much flavor into one portion. Kudos.

My personal favorites of the night included the RA'ckin shrimp appetizer, which is about a dozen or so cayenne fried shrimp over a bed of lettuce with a delectable ginger sauce for dipping.

Other favorites included a basic shrimp and lobster roll with cilantro pesto sauce and, for an added Maryland tie-in, the soft shell crabs.

A caveat: do not attempt to eat the soft shell crabs (which were surprisingly full of meat despite the constant deterioration of the crab industry) with your chopsticks.

The big draw for RA that I guarantee Towson students and Baltimore area college students alike will appreciate is the happy hour, considering the ever-popular Fells Point is just around the corner.

The California Roll, $3.25, Crispy Spicy Tuna, $4.88, and Coconut Shrimp Tempura, $4.13, will keep both your stomach and wallet from being empty.

As far as the bar goes, this harps back to the Western influences instilled at RA.

Two plasma televisions are perched above the fully stocked watering hole where vibrant creative spirits are concocted.

For happy hour, get the Mango Martini and the Sake Sangria, which I tried and loved for a meager $4. For non-cocktail enthusiasts, a.k.a. beer buffs, Miller Lite and Budweiser go for $2 a pop.

To round out the evening, my guest and I were delighted with the Cinnamon Tempura Ice Cream, $6.50.

The flavors of rich ice cream and cinnamon dance around your mouth like a fried pastry geisha.

RA Sushi is wasabi hot and accommodates plenty of seating. One trip and you may never look back to Towson again.

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