10/03/09

best sushi in austin

by rdaustin

Reviewers calling Tomo average or bad sushi either got very unlucky on their visit or do not know sushi. This is the best sushi in town because the fish and vegetables are good quality and extremely fresh, the rolls are well planned in terms of balance in taste and texture, and the nori is superbly prepared. I'm talking your teeth slice right through, never chewy.

My favorite original roll is the ridiculously named Angry Beaver. The jalapeno in the middle is always crunchy.

The chefs are jovial, and sometimes I do get the impression that they drink too much for people who are preparing complicated meals. I find that unprofessional, but they've never been rude to me. The wait staff is always pleasant and prompt.

The wait can be long because the restaurant is simply too small for the crowd it attracts. It has begun to attract pretty, hip people who seem to be there to be seen, but there are real sushi lovers there too.

• Pros: the food, the drinks, the wait staff
• Cons: too small for the crowd it attracts

09/21/09

Awesome sushi

by eking9

The entrees are unique, fish is so fresh as if it was delivered the same day.

• Pros: creative rolls
• Cons: small restaurant so it can be a long wait to get in.

09/07/09

hiya

by Jeremy Rosenberg

its great

• Pros: est fff
• Cons: ntss

07/08/09

3 Thumbs down!

by peileiAUS

Why does someone decide to open a sushi bar? I mean, seriously. The greatest majority of restaurants fail in their first few years.

In Tomo Sushi we have an example of one of those unique non-failures that has been played up by the drunken in-crowd that hasn't the first clue what exquisite sushi is all about.

Why would you pay for:

Bad, slow service - wait staff is off and on, but mostly off. Slow service, screwed up order, but hey, where's my tip!

The owner - Taciturn, angry? Why, it's his baby. Shouldn't he be happy he has found success in the sushi biz. Shouldn't he greet me with a smile? This is likely the core reason for all the other problems I, and you, face at Tomo. If he's not happy and concerned with a good customer experience why would his drunken chefs and horrible wait staff be concerned?

Chefs... wow. No greeting when you arrive. Maybe because the chefs are drunk? Trust me, they drink. And this seems to contribute to the way they treat customers and the volume level of their retorts when they decide you're an idiot for ordering say - Unagi and 2 california rolls. A chef should be sociable and an advisor. Not a drunken idiot yelling loudly that your choices are incorrect.

Rough review? Yes... but reality. You likely won't suffer all these ills in one trip. It usually takes two.

Don't bother. For inspired sushi, try Musashino. They make true art there and they care about me and you.

• Pros: none
• Cons: slow waiters, foul mouthed and drunk chefs, bad owner

06/22/09

Other reviews are spam

by CSMobileUser3

The other reviews are spam, the service is always good when I go, how could it not be - the place only hold about 15 people. If u don't get good service in a place with 15 people and 2-3 waitresses then u are either legally retarded or just dumb as dirt. If u want the best sushi in austin then go here, I u want to socialize and play dress up / gossip with your girlfriends then go eat sushi downtown. Tomo is hands down the best.

05/30/09

The best sushi experience in Austin...

by SoundBender

There are few things that I like more than good sushi. I consider myself to be a sushi snob. I've eaten sushi all over the US including places like San Fransisco, LA, Sand Diego and New York. Tomo's humble setting is at first glance, unimpressive. What you discover after eating there is that there is no place on earth quite like Tomo.

The hostess is very polite and you find yourself correlating her pleasing disposition to that of a loving family member. The chef's are rowdy and raw and do tend to enjoy a few shots of hot sake. If you're the sensitive type it's best not to sit at the bar. These chefs are, dare I say, masters at the art of making sushi and they know it. I'm frequently one of those customers who is encouraging them to drink more by buying them round after round of drinks and it's always a good time.

They have a consistent selection of fish and then a wide selection of new options on a regular basis, so there is never a shortage of new and interesting things to try. If you're somewhat obsessed with trying new types of sushi and fish as I am, then you will enjoy the variety and creativity of options at Tomo. It's not uncommon to ask the chef's to surprise you with a random preparation of your favorite fish and then find yourself oohing and ahhing at the resulting creative art work that ensues.

The selection of drinks is also well rounded. Be sure to try the unfiltered sake. If you like to get a little rowdy and enjoy being a people person while conversing with random strangers who also have a love for fantastic sushi, you will not be disappointed at Tomo.

• Pros: Creative sushi you won't find anywhere else
• Cons: Long wait without a reservation

05/29/09

My favorite sushi restaurant!

by tpeteet

My husband and I consider ourselves sushi connoisseurs. We have been to almost every sushi restaurant in town and frequently try various sushi restaurants when we travel. Tomo is my favorite! They are not a traditional sushi restaurant, and use contemporary ingredients to give their dishes a truly unique flavor. Enjoy!

• Pros: Sushi
• Cons: They are frequently busy

05/22/09

Rude staff and made me ill

by NoLNoodle

Ate lunch at the sushi bar here yesterday and was talked into trying a fresh squid roll rather than my selection, which turned out to be more expensive though I was led to believe the opposite would be true. Fine, my fault. I'm usually willing to listen to the suggestion of the staff assuming they know the menu and the risk I take is they're trying to upsell so I knew that.

Service at the bar several times here have been slow and somewhat rude, if not downright apathetic until it came time for me to tip. Had to wait a very long time for drink orders, refills, etc..

Fish slices were thinner but longer than we were accustomed to from restaurants in other cities and the rice was just sad, loose and spare. The menu items were given vague names with no description of what it was which would mean even more interaction with the staff. Soup was ok.

Last night I was sick for the first time in years, Like *really* sick. I can't blame this on dinner because I didn't really have any as I went to bed early, feeling somewhat queasy from lunch. The only thing I did out of the ordinary was eat "fresh squid". I've been sick all day today too.

This didn't happen during my previous visits but I'm not going to go back,

• Pros: creative menu
• Cons: overcrowded, upselling, questionable quality

05/18/09

Love it, love it, love it!

by CSMobileUser4

I have yet to find better sushiin austin, as well as a better selection of rolls. The japanese lasagna is to die for. And the "something wrong" roll is like nothing I've had anywhere else. The service has always been great, and the chefs are a blast! Plus thurs nights are ladies night and they make it great.

04/04/09

great food but terrible service

by M629

they cram you in there like sardines and dont care if you are squished next to other people. the sushi chef talks badly about the customers as you are eating. I guess he thinks we cant hear him or he just doesnt care. the service is about the worst ever. sushi is not cheap, I expect good service. not everybody goes out and spends 100 dollars a night on dinner. sushi is a treat and they act as if they are doing you a favor. its such a shame because the sushi is so good. but i expect service as well and this place just doesnt have it or get it.

• Pros: Example: best croissants in town
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?