Kate: So, a co-worker says, "how 'bout sushi for lunch?"
To which I reply, "I don't like sushi." As this particular co-worker was hell bent on sushi, we went to Sticky Rice. This is the tale of the lunch of a sushi un-enthusiast at a sushi joint.
There was no crowd, which is always a pleasant surprise at lunch-rush hour, and the drinks were delivered quickly. We happened to sit at a small wooden booth with a sign that said something to the effect of "Sorry, the Air Conditioning may leak." Which it did. Large water droplets landed on the table and occassionally on the food. They did warn us.
I, not loving sushi, ordered a spinach salad ($4) and a roll of spicy tuna (about $5); a can do a roll now and then. The spinach salad arrived not two minutes after I ordered it, and its non-existent prep time was evident in the make-up of the salad itself. It was a small bowl of very green spinach leaves, two cucumber slices, two grape tomatoes, with some carrot and onion shavings. The amount of spinach was overwhelming, and the dressing (an orange ginger compote) was thick and un-spreadable. I used it as a dip, but not for long. Along with being a sushi un-enthusiast, I realize I am an orange-ginger "dressing" un-enthusiast. Not a great salad. I didn't finish it, though I thank Sticky Rice for a healthy dose of fiber and protein via an abnormal serving size of raw spinach leaves. (See nutritional information for spinach.)
Next comes the sushi. My compadre ordered two rolls, spicy salmon and another that I forget. She absolutely loved both of them; she is a sushi enthusiast. My spicy tuna arrived. It was indeed spicy, which I love. The roll itself was good. It held itself together and didn't cause any gag reflexes, which I consider a triumph.
For other sushi un-enthusiasts out there, Sticky Rice does have a variety of food on the menu, including sandwiches, salads, and non-sushi entrees.
Also, their drink menu is robust, with a pretty good selection of beer, wine, sake (of course) and a full host of alcoholic beverages one would expect from any full bar.
Aside from the dripping AC, the atmosphere was stellar: quiet, trendy decor, great large front window for people-watching, and a friendly staff.
Overall for a sushi un-enthusiast: A big Okay.
Overal for a sushi enthusiast: Fabulous (though I've heard from other sushi enthusiasts/purists that Sticky Rice is not as hard-core traditional sushi as they'd like)
Only one way to find out: try it. For weekend nights, go early. It gets crowded early on and stays that way. It also gets loud, but apparently not on weekday lunch hours.
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