Sushi Ota

I really hate to write bad reviews, particularly when I look forward to trying a new place. However, I have to be truthful, so I'll give the details. There was good, there was bad. What was good was very good, what was bad was...well, bad.

We were in the mood for sushi -- good sushi. After hearing how good that they were, we decided that tonight was the evening that we would try Sushi Ota in Pacific Beach. Parking can be a bit dicey given its location in a tiny strip mall, but we found street parking easily enough on a Thursday evening. However, on a Friday night, the parking gods may not be so forgiving.

It was about 5:30 when we arrived (yes, we are 80) for dinner. The restaurant was mostly empty, with more employees than customers; however, there was a small crowd of people waiting to be seated. We waited politely while the hostess checked over the reservations. Two people? Like, tonight? Here? Eyerolls, then "well, we'll do you a favor and allow you to eat, but you must be gone by 6:45." Wha? I don't believe that I've ever had a hostess be so rude to me in my life. If there's no table, no problem. I understand that restaurants reserve tables, and sometimes can't accommodate walk-ins, but really?

However, starving and feeling brave, we went ahead took the proffered table, with the waitstaff glaring. As she took our order, the server again reminded us that we needed to leave by the appointed time. Sorry that we came!

We ordered salads and miso, along with some tuna nigiri, California rolls and a spicy tuna roll. Everything was very good. The fish was wonderfully fresh and delicious. The miso was rich and flavorful, and the house salad, with a tangy homemade dressing, might have been the best part of the meal.

However, despite the good food, the service and their curt manner was abominable. We finished ahead of the clock, and as we were leaving, yet _another_ remark was made about our timed meal.

Never again.