While "Friends" went on their separately planned HOT date-night, I didn't do so bad myself. Even Paris Hilton would have said "That's Hot" in her sensual tone. Unfortunately instead of pointing at me, she would point at my date with Inakaya's Flamin' Hot Volcano Roll. Marshmallows not included.
Inakaya while not a substantial size establishment by any restaurant's standards is able to find a good balance within the tiny space and design elements. There's enough to browse from the Chef's at the sushi-bar to the LCD displaying all the dishes they have to offer, even to the Sake displays which reminds you it's an official SAKE-bar. There's something about their atmosphere that does draw and attract me. 2.5'd leaning towards 3'd.
Sake they do offer plentiful choices as well as multiple Beverages all display on 2-sided 8-1/2 x 11 that will take more than a second to peruse. There's always the original Food Menu however the friendly staff would speak more in-depth towards the daily recommendations as well as the Specials Menu. Whole Fluke did sound interesting but that's more for my Friend's AMEX to discover.
Salmon Tataki - Delightful starter both appealing in presentation and flavour. Sliced red onions underneath help give a fresh crunch from the soft Salmon while the micro-greens on top give color contrast. Maybe a touch more acidity would really get the saliva flowing.
Toro($18.00/2 nigiri), Hotategai Nigiri($6.00/2 nigiri) -
In comparison, I've seen and tasted better. My dining companion said it all when noting the overuse of Wasabi while spitting out sinewy parts of Toro. Good FATTY Toro no doubt but we just happened to get stringy parts along for the ride this round. The sushi-rice did have good mouth feel.
Volcano Roll($18.00) - Stunning presentation compared to your everyday bleh as the plate arrives engulfed in flames that take a few minutes to settle. Beef Maki does take more chewing involved than your typical Maki. Nothing wrong with this at all, just not something that I would consider as must-try. Reminds me of home cooking Minute-Steak.