Ra Sushi | March 24, 2011

474 Broadway


San Diego, CA 92101

Special Edition of Dine With Miller Stein Part 2

Miller-Stein Ranking

Our food experience | 4.2 Buckeyes

Quality | 4.8 Buckeyes

Cost | 3.5 Buckeyes

Character | 4.5 Buckeyes

Beverages | 4.0 Buckeyes

Service | 4.0 Buckeyes

EDAMAME | 3.75

Steamed soybeans dusted with salt—eat the pea, not the pod

DENGAKU TOFU | 7.25

Crispy tofu served with tempura sauce, lightly fried eggplant & snow peas; finished with a red miso ginger glaze

CHICKEN YAKISOBA | 12.25

Stir-fried Asian vegetables tossed with chicken & yakisoba noodles

Spicy Yellowtail Roll | 6

California Roll | 6

Pacific Roll | 9.25

A spicy mix of albacore, cilantro, jalapeno & cucumber rolled & topped with fresh avocado & mango salsa; finished with red beet tempura bits & sautéed cashew nuts

GOJIRA ROLL | 12

Stein and I are blogging from San Diego, California! After looking at the weather while on LA and seeing rain for the next several days, the Stein’s decided we would pack an overnight bag and head to San Diego where there was a sunny day in the forecast.

We headed to San Diego and adventured at the zoo for a few hours and were starved. We asked the concierge at the hotel for a great sushi recommendation. Stein had explained to me that I hadn’t really had sushi until I have California sushi. In disbelief that California sushi could be much better than the great Columbus sushi we have had, I thought I would trust Stein. I had no idea what I was in for – California sushi is of a different caliber. Truly fresh fish accompanied by fresh vegetables makes a huge difference!

RA is a trendy spot in the heart of the Gas Light District of San Diego a short walk from most downtown hotels. We waited just a few minutes for a table and were seated close to the sushi bar. If you enjoy a fast paced and loud (music blaring) restaurant, RA is your place. We weren’t really able to have a conversation but enjoyed the fun atmosphere.

We started off ordering edamame for the four of us to share, I had never tried it but Stein and his Dad assured me I would like it. We all like it – it was cooked perfectly and after figuring out the proper way to eat it (bite down and suck out the innards) the appetizer didn’t last long. We also ordered the fried tofu, which was fantastic; full of flavor and hot, hot, hot!

Stein wanted to make sure we tried a few unique rolls while in California so we ordered the Pacific roll, which had what seemed like a salad on top. It was incredible – like nothing we had ever tasted, very unique. Stein also ordered the Gojila roll, which was another very unique roll – a Ra special.

The service was a bit slow and we had to wait a few minutes to get our other rolls, which consisted of a California roll and a spicy yellowtail roll. All of the fish was extremely fresh and was definitely worth the walk.

Stein’s Mom went with a chicken dish with an accompaniment of noodles, which she enjoyed and everyone at the table had a taste. The veggies in the dish were crisp but well cooked and the seasoning in the dish melded everything together well.

We swayed to the music in our chairs as we waited for the check; the service was a bit slow for a weeknight but the hotel did warn us that this was a popular place in the Gas Light District. The walk home was great and we enjoyed the cool (not cold) San Diego air as we scampered back to the hotel to grab our free desert!

If you’re looking for a high-energy sushi joint in the Gas Light District you have a few to choose from, but we recommend you try RA! The Stein’s and Miller-Stein give RA a thumbs up!