We love this place. My wife and I try to get out to Rai Lay at least a couple times a month. I'm in love with their crab fried rice but they have so many delicious offerings on the menu.
They also have great happy hour deals like half priced sushi and apps if you come at the right time. But any time is the right time for Rai Lay. The staff is friendly and welcoming. The inside is a bit small but it just lends it self to an intimate atmosphere. Intimate enough that you can sometimes hear what the table next to you is talking about. Including a woman who was walking her friend through his divorce by snitching to him about what his estranged wife had been up to. That was a pretty good day.
I always get the Cucumber Crush cocktail. You'd think "cucumber? why would I drink that?" but honestly, it's tasty and refreshing. I don't know what white privilege feels like but I'd imagine the refreshing taste of a Cucumber Crush sliding down my throat is the closest I'll ever come to it.
Then menu is one double sided page. Much of it is appetizers and sushi and as of yet I haven't had anything on the menu that wasn't delicious. Be careful with the drunken noodle as they are spicy. You will be coughing a bit if you go anything above a 2 on the spice. But see me? I likes it spicy. Spice me up baby! I need to clear up these sinuses anyway.
There is convenient parking in the garage behind Rai Lay and there are also spaces on the street right in front of the building. I don't know how I hadn't heard of this place before but it is worth a trip.
The only down side I can think of is that they don't take the tails of the shrimp when they serve them. I tried to request it but they were like "That's just how it is cuz." And I respect their honesty. I just don't get the shrimp any more but all the food is still worth it.
PS. Learning to love yourself is difficult. But it is rewarding. Don't be too hard on yourself. Learn to accept your flaws and realize that no one should be judged by their worst day. I love you.