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| - My girlfriend and I decided to finally try Sochu House for the first time two nights ago as it is within walking distance from our condo.
We were surprised at how interesting, eclectic and not to mention BIg it was inside, as it has an unassuming entrance in a fairly seedy little strip mall.
As far as bevies go The sake menu is good and they have flights available to try different varieties. The cocktail menu is very good and the drinks come out from the very sexy and atmospherically lit bar side. I found the regular liquor selection to be a little overpriced : 9 bucks for a JW Red is about 2 bucks too much however they do have reasonable prices on booze in general.
We decided to share a bunch of tapas and a large miso soup.
The lollipop chicken is great! Tasty, and succulent albeit a tad messy to eat as it's finger food and is saucy. But I love eating with my mits, my girlfriend not so much.
The pork wrapped sugarcane was similarly presented as the chicken but was not as tasty as I had hoped. The pork was ground and a bit granular and a touch dry while the sugarcane inside though juicy was almost tasteless so the sweet/savory contrast was minimal and I kinda thought the sauce was too similar to the lollipop dish.
The duck salad was FANTASTIC! Like an Asian coleslaw with tender fillets of duck breast. It was savory and sweet and crunchy and tender all at once. Arguably the best salad with protein I have ever had, and I have it a lot! A MUST TRY!
The miso soup with shrimp was pretty good. The chewy rice disks were fun to eat but I found the broth to be a little thin and not quite salty enough. However, there we're a good amount of shrimp and it was nice and hot. I would have it again.
Service: I worked in the service industry for 20 years and just finished my last stint as a bartender in sept. I have served, managed and even washed dishes.
Our waitress was young and likely a new server. She tried to explain their Date Night special but was very unclear what was included. She kept coming back over to add bits of info about it. Neither of us understood what she was talking about so we dismissed it and ordered a la carte. She could have just read off a composed script or taken the time to memorize the special clearly. Which is sop in most restaurants.
Having said that she was very friendly and very attentive to all of her tables and made no other mistakes other than trying to take my red wine away before I was finished the last sip. Always ask if you can take a seemingly empty drink away. Server 101. Like I said she is likely still learning. She will be great in a few years.
I was a littler taken aback when I witnessed who I thought might be a manager, he was a slight Asian guy, wiping his nose with a tissue right near the central server station and next to the food pick up area at the semi-open kitchen. Service 101: NEVER touch your nose or even face in view of customers. If you need to, go to the back or the restroom. Gross. I almost said something to our server but decided to say it here instead.
Also, the central service area is interesting but flanked on either side by rolling carts with dirty dish bins into which the servers clear. This is unsightly and loud and should be done in the dish pit and not the middle Of the restaurant. I don't want to e looking at dirty plates while I eat. This isn't a cafeteria.
Over all I think this is a great start. We will certainly return and bring our guests as well. I am also curious to see how it is as a night spot as the bar is sexy and they have guest djs.
Glad to have Sochu House in my hood!
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