Ami Sushi

{I feel like I'm taking over the blog. Someone please eat something! Just because Nicole Ritchie is skin and bones doesn't mean it's the cool thing to do... although I must admit, exposed clavicles are hot.}

I visited the uber trendy looking Ami Sushi restaurant in Westwood. I was lured in by the menu, only to have my spirits crushed by the bad food, awkward ambience, and poor service.

The interior epitomizes the modern Asian decor that's apparently all the rage nowadays-- dark colors, leather, bamboo, crazy compartment plates (no joke), etc. It was all meant for an intimate setting, but the extremely high ceiling made it seem as if you were eating at some dance club and not a restaurant; it sucked the life out of the room. On top of that, you had gigantic artistic photographs of Buddha statues (I think), next to a giant projection TV showing ESPN. And they played Green Day, Sean Paul, and Beyonce as background music. Everything clashed; I was confused.

As for the food, we went with the 3-piece combo plate, and picked the salmon steak, shrimp and vegetable tempura, and spicy tuna rolls as the 3 entrees. The spicy tuna rolls came out first. In spite of the spicy-ness, the tuna was particularly bland, and had a strange, "mushy" texture. Even with soy sauce, the rolls were disappointing. The salmon steak (grilled salmon covered in teriyaki sauce) was slightly better, although it was not something to rave about. While the salmon was certainly moist, the teriyaki sauce seemed to be a secondary addition, just plopped on at the end (ie. the salmon wasn't "infused" with the teriyaki juices). I was underwhelmed by the salmon overall. As for the tempura, the shrimp was mediocre at best. The "tempura sauce" was too watery, and failed to add any real flavor to the food. The vegetables were unrecognizable (I think one was a yam), and the different textures (crispy on the outside, really mushy on the inside) was not enjoyable. Worst of all the salmon was near room temperature, and the tempura was cold.

The service wasn't much better. We were bothered numerous times about whether or not we were ready to order (when the menu is closed, we're ready! argh!). When I asked for a lemonade refill, the woman said "No, is not possible" (I'm not sure if she meant I had to pay, or that I couldn't get a refill; it was really awkward). The waitress also forgot to bring me water after I asked her to.

Overall, the restaurant was a disappointment in every conceivable way.

(You know where it is)