Raw: Sushi in the Sky (Lough Atalia Rd)

beardybrewer

Did anyone notice the ad on pg 35 of the Galway Independent?

Anyone have any details?

empacher

Its in the Radisson

biko

Nice, I'll def pay a visit.

Doc Ruby

I've spent the last few weeks learning how to make sushi off the internet, maybe I'll apply for a job there.

Daisies

Yum, cannot wait!

The Belcher

Is there anywhere out my side of the city that sells the 6pack of sushi rolls? I live near Monaghons on the Tuam road. I'd like to get some to bring to work about twice a week but don't want to drive all the way into town just to get them. Any ideas anyone?

dinneenp

Looking forward to trying it out as well.
I know the fish place down by Tesco shopping center do sushi

Daisies

dinneenp wrote: »

Looking forward to trying it out as well.
I know the fish place down by Tesco shopping center do sushi

Interesting. Did not know that.

beardybrewer

dinneenp wrote: »

Looking forward to trying it out as well.
I know the fish place down by Tesco shopping center do sushi

Do they still? I remember seeing them but the rice looked mushy so I never bought it. In fairness to Wa their rice is usually right unless they are a day old... but the day old thing hasn't happened to me in a while.

dr.bollocko

The Wa Cafe generally tend to do more than their bare sushi rolls now and do nigiri most days. They also have had rainbow maki and mini maki recently so they're improving too.
Looking forward to trying this.

deisedude

Agreed Wa Cafe is pretty good and the staff are lovely too.

When is this new place opening?

beardybrewer

Hello sushi fans, as many of you are familiar with Wa Cafe this seems like a good place to share some information I got via email from them recently. As far as fresh fish I think it is more of a weekend thing and subject to availability. I had suggested they take advantage of a mailing list or facebook page to let people know about their current specials. It sounds like they'll get around to this eventually but wouldn't hold your breath.

Wa Cafe wrote:

Lunch: Mon-Fri 12-4pm / Sat 1-6pm
Cafe Menu (sushi rolls / miso soup / desserts): Mon-Fri 4-7pm
Dinner: Tues-Fri 7-9.30pm
Saturday Dinner: 8pm, 6 course set dinner for €50 - by reservation only.

Our regular menu includes one fresh fish sushi option which is made with tuna,salmon,squid & prawn. We offer fresh fish sashimi on a Saturday between 1-6pm. As we use only the freshest fish from the Galway market the types of fish we use varies, but would often include tuna, salmon, scallop, prawn or snapper (as examples)...
On a Saturday we offer a mixed plate of sashimi and a clam miso soup for a set price, but if you prefered to order just one or two types of sashimi we can make a small plate for you. Please be aware that because we only offer sashimi on a Saturday demand can be high, but if you wish bookings can be made in advance and you can specify that you wish to have sashimi.

I'd be curious to know what people think of the Saturday dinner.

6 courses for €50? Sweet.

inisboffin

boneyarsebogman wrote: »

6 courses for €50? Sweet.

€50 apiece??

I go for sushi in Dublin fairly often, but even I don't think I'd manage €50 euros worth!

Small place to have a long 6 course meal in IMO.

dinneenp

It's opening April 4th and will be on
the 4th floor of the Radisson

beardybrewer

Just another update on this. Article in today's indo:
http://galwayindependent.com/data/digitaledition/2012-13/files/66.html

Didn't mention the date above, but did say next month. Also a phone number is listed in the ad, so perhaps they are open to reservations or someone can get more info.

dinneenp

newkie wrote: »

Just another update on this. Article in today's indo:
http://galwayindependent.com/data/digitaledition/2012-13/files/66.html

Didn't mention the date above, but did say next month. Also a phone number is listed in the ad, so perhaps they are open to reservations or someone can get more info.

I phoned them and this is what they told me
said it'll be busy first week so to book (could be hyping it up)

It's opening April 4th and will be on
the 4th floor of the Radisson

biko

Great stuff, I will def pay this place a visit.

inisboffin

+1!

El_Dangeroso

So excited about this! Love wa cafe but looking forward to a more evening dinner type sushi place.

Daisies

Is WA cafe good for sushi? Is there much of a selection?

chuky_r_law

The Belcher wrote: »

Is there anywhere out my side of the city that sells the 6pack of sushi rolls? I live near Monaghons on the Tuam road. I'd like to get some to bring to work about twice a week but don't want to drive all the way into town just to get them. Any ideas anyone?

there is a lady who does sushi at the markets in moycullen every friday. is really good and fresh. she's always very busy.

she has a facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/MakeSushiWithJen?ref=pb

and i think she does classes too

inisboffin

chuky_r_law wrote: »

there is a lady who does sushi at the markets in moycullen every friday. is really good and fresh. she's always very busy.

she has a facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/MakeSushiWithJen?ref=pb

and i think she does classes too

Is it raw fish sushi, like tuna, salmon etc, or is it smoked salmon/chicken etc?
Most of the market ones rarely do raw, I understand why, just checking?

chuky_r_law

only had it a couple of times but it was salmon tuna and veggie rolls

deisedude

Daisies wrote: »

Is WA cafe good for sushi? Is there much of a selection?

Was only there once. Not a huge selection but still the best in Galway and i don't think they do sushi after 7.

biko

I go to Wa about once a month and get the Bento box. Yummy.
Bento box in Tamarind is also good (and bigger/dearer) but they don't serve sushi.

Daisies

deisedude wrote: »

Was only there once. Not a huge selection but still the best in Galway and i don't think they do sushi after 7.

I LOVE sushi.

biko wrote: »

I go to Wa about once a month and get the Bento box. Yummy.
Bento box in Tamarind is also good (and bigger/dearer) but they don't serve sushi.

Hmmm may just have to put some research into it:cool:

beardybrewer

Menu has been put online: http://www.sushiinthesky.ie/menu.html

I've emailed them to suggest edamame: warm, steamed, with plenty of salt. Nothing goes better with a large, cold Sapporo while waiting for your mains.

Will be great if they expand their maki to some more unusual combinations.

beardybrewer

BTW, was at the market and Wa had a nigiri tray so I splurged and grabbed it with some pickled ginger and soy sauce. You know it's fresh when there is no fishy smell. The makerel was the biggest surprise, really nice. The tuna was a bit thin and tasteless which was a bit of a shame. The smoked salmon and cucumber are nice fillers. All in all, good but my expectations for Raw are so much higher.

Have my table booked for Friday 13th. Good day to eat raw fish, right?

dr.bollocko

Just back from Raw now.

Appearance wise it was more function room than restaurant. Nice views from the large floor to ceiling windows. Overbearing smell of carpet and they play elevator music which is oddly off putting.
Had a mixed Nigiri plate and prawn oshi. well prepared, good service, very attentive. So that was positive. But the setting and atmosphere are more airport than fine dining.

inisboffin

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Just back from Raw now.

Appearance wise it was more function room than restaurant. Nice views from the large floor to ceiling windows. Overbearing smell of carpet and they play elevator music which is oddly off putting.
Had a mixed Nigiri plate and prawn oshi. well prepared, good service, very attentive. So that was positive. But the setting and atmosphere are more airport than fine dining.

A friend of a friend rang and booked a few people for lunch at RAW, but arrived to find it closed! He reckons there was a language barrier and that was the problem.

I popped in to WA cafe again the other day. I always praise their little nibbles and miso, but bemoan the fact that I can't get a selection of raw fish sushi there. Well I was pleasantly surprised to see they have expanded their raw fish menu. While not huge, there is at least 3 or 4 raw fish options on there, and I have to say, the nigiri plate was delicious! The fish was some of the freshest and mouth melty I have ever had.

Wonder if competition has nudged them in that direction, either way I will be popping in more often now.

Back to RAW, I will give them a try anyway, don't like the sound of airport lounge vibe, but at least the food sounded promising.

dr.bollocko

inisboffin wrote: »

A friend of a friend rang and booked a few people for lunch at RAW, but arrived to find it closed! He reckons there was a language barrier and that was the problem.

I popped in to WA cafe again the other day. I always praise their little nibbles and miso, but bemoan the fact that I can't get a selection of raw fish sushi there. Well I was pleasantly surprised to see they have expanded their raw fish menu. While not huge, there is at least 3 or 4 raw fish options on there, and I have to say, the nigiri plate was delicious! The fish was some of the freshest and mouth melty I have ever had.

Wonder if competition has nudged them in that direction, either way I will be popping in more often now.

Back to RAW, I will give them a try anyway, don't like the sound of airport lounge vibe, but at least the food sounded promising.

Wa Cafe have been doing mixed nigiri plates for quite a while now before Raw was around, so I don't think it's in response to competition.
It has a more relaxed vibe. I'd pop in there most weeks for a cup of miso and usually get a plate of salmon nigiri.
They did a sushi demo today in the festival tent and I popped in after for a salmon roll and it was absolutely chockablock.

inisboffin

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Wa Cafe have been doing mixed nigiri plates for quite a while now before Raw was around, so I don't think it's in response to competition.
It has a more relaxed vibe. I'd pop in there most weeks for a cup of miso and usually get a plate of salmon nigiri.
They did a sushi demo today in the festival tent and I popped in after for a salmon roll and it was absolutely chockablock.

Hmmm, maybe time has looped me a bit, but the last time I was in, there was only really limited nigiri options, usually one fish, usually salmon, and they often had run out by 4 on a weekend. That was less than 6 months ago. Another person who was in at a table when we were in remarked on their 'new bigger menu', so I thought it was even more recent than the last couple of months. I know for a fact that they have been listening to feedback though, particularly about raw fish choices. And the word has been out among the culinary community about RAW for a while apparently. Either way, I am delighted that they have a larger selection, and I agree about the vibe, nice place!

beardybrewer

What better day to try a new sushi restaurant than Friday the 13th? Both long time sushi fans, my wife and I were very excited to see proper sushi arrive in Galway. Having lived abroad we enjoyed sushi every week for many years before returning to Ireland. Now we wait for holidays abroad or trips to Dublin to scratch that sushi itch. Having been several months since our last sushi it wouldn’t take much for that itch to be scratched. We both approached this experience as doting parents with the knowledge that RAW is still in its infancy.

After ascending to the 4th floor of the Radisson we were warmly greeted and offered a coat check. We requested a window seat and were obliged with a simple table for two with a lovely view of the bay and burren beyond (although you must look past the industrial docklands to appreciate it). The décor was simple and tasteful, if a bit masculine. Two curious dark leather scrolls were handed to us which we unrolled to unveil the menu. A rather amusing episode of confusion and a flurry of apologies ensued as our waiter tried to figure out which rolled up menu was the food menu and which was the drinks menu. In the end, we never had two of the same menu to read but this was okay as I had already memorised the menu in anticipation from the website.

We always have Japanese beer with sushi and both ordered 33cl Asahi beers (€5/each). We were slightly disappointed not to see the superior Sapparo on offer and balked a bit at the price being a 4pk of Asahi is only €6.99 at Tesco. As we waited we really missed having a traditional appetiser of edmame, boiled soybeans covered in heavy salt served warm makes an excellent accompaniment with beer. We nursed our beers and waited a long time for our miso soup which was served with a Chinese soup spoon. The miso soup itself was adequate with plenty of tofu, but a bit too much seaweed and not enough miso in our opinion.

Next to come out was the unagi (eel) nigiri. In our experience, this is typically grilled, served warm with a thick sweet glaze. Instead this seemed broiled and was served tepid with a thinner glaze than we’d prefer. Despite this the flavour was excellent and this was the best sushi of the evening. Of the 4 nigiri (ball of rice with fish on top secured with a band of nori) one fell apart suggesting the chef’s sushi craft is still being perfected. That said it is important to note the critical sushi rice itself was good albeit rather light on the rice vinegar. Another minor note was it was obvious they weren’t using Kikkoman soy sauce, but instead a darkly brewed off-brand which overpowered some of the more subtle flavours in the maki to come.

Much willpower was spent trying not to devour our second nigiri as we waited for our maki, sushi rice with various fillings wrapped in seaweed (nori). After several minutes individual plates arrived and we finally, an hour in to service, dug in. I found it curious, as sushi is often considered as much art as food, that our order wasn’t beautifully presented on a single platter. We both eagerly pounced on the spicy tuna as this is always our favourite. Unfortunately this was the low point of the meal as the nori was thick and chewy, the tuna too small, and the spice non-existent. Additionally, as we saw in all the rolls, the ends were not cut off so 2 pieces out of 6 will be mostly rice and not contain much filling. In our combined 30 years enjoying sushi we have never seen this before. I may as well get the bad news out of the way now as several of the maki were not properly rolled and fell apart which just goes to show the sushi chef’s still on his “L” plate. The size of the rolls was inconsistent and some were simply too big for my wife to eat in one bite. Still, we should try to be forgiving as the restaurant has only been open a few weeks and we have high hopes his technique will improve greatly.

Other than the main ingredient, most of the maki is a bit samey containing roe (fish eggs), watercress, and imperceptible amount of wasabi. Hence the main ingredient really needs to be highlighted and not overpowered. The California roll looked exciting as it didn’t contain a mere crab stick but real crab meat. Unfortunately it was rolled in what I can only describe as a thick crust of sesame seed which completely overpowered the subtle flavours of the crab meat and avocado. Next up is the simple and unassuming cucumber roll. My wife was pleased with this as they were cut properly and they were perfect in their simplicity. Last up was the salmon belly and I’m happy to report we both enjoyed this immensely. The salmon itself was beautiful and tender and the rolls were done well. We would definitely order this again along with the delicious unagi nigiri.

In conclusion we had a nice evening but feel there is room for improvement. The service staff couldn’t have been friendlier but they were obviously disorganized and slow. It took nearly a half hour just to settle our bill, which came to a very reasonable €65 (€20 of that being 4 small Asahi beers). They obviously took great pains to educate the staff on the menu and are geared to gently break in the uninitiated with helpful suggestions. We look forward to seeing more starters such as edamame and a simple green salad with miso dressing next time. I’m sure the sushi chef’s technique will improve quickly and we hope to see more experimentation with the maki combinations in the future. All in all, RAW is full of potential and is a great addition to Galway. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to an improved experience next time.

Seaneh

I'd just like the point out that the difference in size and stability in the various pieces would make it sound to me like there was more than 1 chef preparing the various rolls.

The head Chef is well into his 50's and has 35 years of experience. Odds are the less perfect pieces would have been from a commis chef or chef de partie who is getting used to it all.

El_Dangeroso

I have to say the nigiri in Wa cafe on dock street is far superior.

The fish is just palpably fresher and the miso soup is really the best I have had anywhere.

They have edamame beans and has a much nice atmosphere in my opinion.

All their dashi and sauces are made from scratch and it shows.

Raw was like bad airport sushi in my opinion but like the other poster I do hope they improve as it's nicer to have a wider selection of sushi in Galway.

dr.bollocko

Gave this place another try.



They've really gone from strength to strength IMO..
Mixed nigiri plate, I chose salmon, eel, red mullet and sea bass. 22 euro.

Also shredded scallops 12 euro.

Service was great, view is nice, place is more relaxed.

Would recommend.

Last time I had it, distinctly under impressed. This time I couldn't fault it.

inisboffin

That's great, I will give it a try so. After 2 lovely experiences with WA, it all went pear shaped. One time with just enough tuna for for one of us and no other fish, and three times with NO nigiri at all when we went in

That being said, their non sushi food is grand, so when the trauma has lifted I will go back the odd time.

Will try Raw as I need my sushi fix.:D

chuky_r_law

went to raw last night. food is very reasonably priced. we had 2 courses each - cant remember what they were as was one of my first times trying sushi - and they were very tasty indeed! for both of us the food bill came in total to €30.

the wine on the othere hand added another €38 to the bill. as far as i could see the cheapest bottle was €32 (for white anyway). in fairness the wine was delicious, but at that price i could only afford one bottle. would have like to have stayed and eaten more but once we had finished our bottle we couldnt justify buying another one to wash down a few more courses. will definitely go back in future but will probably go early and tee total for the evening before hitting town.

staff were excellent.

beardybrewer

inisboffin wrote: »

That's great, I will give it a try so. After 2 lovely experiences with WA, it all went pear shaped. One time with just enough tuna for for one of us and no other fish, and three times with NO nigiri at all when we went in

Wa needs to accept there is enough demand to add new items to their menu. I stopped by Wa back in May and was so happy to see tuna rolls on the specials menu. We've since gotten takeaways a few times getting sashimi, spicy tuna, plus the stock smoked salmon and japanese rolls (along with double orders of edamame and homemade salad w/ miso dressing and miso soup). For the money, it's great value.

I went in Friday and noticed those specials are no longer listed. I asked the chef and they were able to prepare the above. Seems odd it is no longer listed when they had the ingredients. Based on the look of their new website there is such an emphasis on fresh fish nigiri I hope they are slowly realizing there is a market to exploit. It would be great to see the commitment of adding these items officially to their menu. This would allow me to order via Justeat rather than calling by in person.

As for RAW, it’s great to see some positive comments on this. I just took a peak at their menu online and see they've added edamame. The scallops above look lovely. Might be time to give them another try soon.

dinneenp

photos of the restaurant and the sample dish:

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IMG_1057.JPG