I eat differently here than I do in any other local sushi bar. The hot dishes from the kitchen--particularly the appetizers--are so good that I alternate them with sushi, course by course. This is particularly pleasant in the chilly time of year.
Aside from all the other methods they use to expand service beyond their little restaurant, Mikimoto offers to send its chefs to your house for a sushi party.
Mikimoto is small, inconspicuous, in a sort of neutral ground of a neighborhood, and much liked by the students of Tulane, Loyola, and Xavier universities. It has a drive-through window and does delivery. None of those are typical indicators of a great restaurant, but Mikimoto's work across its wide-ranging menu stands out. Not only is the sushi excellent, but their many cooked appetizers are delicious and unusual. Think of it as Asian tapas. Alternating hot dishes with orders of sushi makes for a fascinating and richly-textured dinner.
Mikimoto opened in 2000 in the Asian restaurant row on S. Carrollton Avenue between Earhart and Palmetto. There's some family connection with the long-running, nearby, popular Chinese Kitchen. Mikimoto renovated a former savings-and-loan office, keeping the drive-through window in place and using it for take-out service. Jackie Chan (not the movie star) is the owner.
The dining room is small, yet manages to be somewhat maze-like. When a crush of customers arrives, there's often no room to stack them up. If you see people standing on the sidewalk, the house is full. The sushi bar is also less commodious than one may be accustomed to finding. Still, the service and surroundings manage to be pleasant enough.
Go through the appetizer and salad sections as soon as you sit down and before you order sushi. There's a lot of interesting food in there. The bar has an uncommonly large selection of premium sakes, and makes good cocktails with it (or without it).
| Attitude | 1 |
|---|---|
| Environment | 1 |
| Hipness | 2 |
| Local Color | 0 |
| Service | 1 |
| Value | 2 |
| Wine | 1 |
