Sushi Sasa

Sushi Sasa's Ankimo was recently listed as a top 100 must eat in Denver, so I ordered it and reviewed it:

Foie Gras is not exactly the most popular of all delicacy dishes, and probably even less so when named ?steamed monkfish liver? ? so I wouldn?t expect massive appeal, but it was very nice. Three rich, creamy and flavorful medallions that melt in your mouth. The other components on the plate suited it perfectly I thought, balancing each bite. Was it amazing? No - but I?m not obsessively into foie gras like others may be. Still very good.

jko
www.musteatdenver(dot)com

Pros: Very decent sushi

Cons: none

Posted 11/09/09

My friends and I had the best experience ever at a restaurant over the weekend. We were looking for good sushi, but we found not only that but servers that sincerely cared about us having a good time. Our server was very attentive and knowledgable and we never had to wait or wonder when our drinks or food would arrive. It was just a enjoyable experience all around and I would recommend it to friends visiting the area.

Pros: service, food, atmosphere

Cons: busy

Posted 09/27/09

My girlfriends and I decided to do our weekly happy hour as Sushi Sasa. I called ahead to see what the happy hour specials were and the man I spoke with recommended I make reservations, so I did. After finally finding the place (which was not easy, as there's no sign) and parking in the tiny excuse for a parking lot we walked in and the place was deserted, good thing I made reservations... Our server ignored us for the majority of the time we were there, it took at least fifteen minutes to get each drink, prompting us to ask if she had forgot, which she did forget what I ordered and had to come back and ask ten minutes after I ordered it, longer for food and our order was wrong, she forgot two of the four rolls we ordered. We were the only table in the restaurant!! After eating we wrote down how we wanted the bill split and the server (after ignoring the credit cards for a good fifteen minutes) ended up just spliting it in four, which was not what we had asked for. The food was good but it was definitely not worth the money and the aggrevation of the service. I won't be back.

Pros: Decent food

Cons: Expensive, horrible service

Posted 09/17/09

my wife and I decided to try sushi sasa on a Monday night before a show at the Bluebird. surely allowing a little over an hour for some wine, an appetizer and a couple rolls should be sufficient. our mistake. we sat for at least twenty minutes before someone took our drink order, so we of course put our food order in as well. another twenty minutes passes, now we're getting antsy - 40 minutes sitting with water glasses only. finally someone arrives with the bottle of wine that we now have to gulp down (or leave. but at that price, we ain't leaving any). rolls eventually make their way out, where's the app? forget it, I say. "Oh, yeah, um, its probably ready, should I check?" we're told. OK, sure, why not, bring out the app an hour after we sit down and are now focused on inhaling our sushi in no time flat so we don't miss too much of the show. the food was excellent, truly, but the experience absolutely sucked. there's way too many good sushi joints in town for me to give this place a second chance. once was definitely enough

Pros: quality of food

Cons: absolutely terrible service

Posted 06/28/09

Lived in Japan for many years and felt like I was back there tonight!
The food was amazing and close to traditional, service amazing wonderful young lady, and the manager even asked about our meal. Nice professional young man!
I will definitely return and with friends!

Pros: Great service, Fantastic cuisine!

Cons: None

Posted 06/22/09

I wanted to let everyone know that the owner really does care about his customers. He contacted me directly and took the steps to fix the situation. Thank you very much.

I was such a huge fan of this place from the first time I tried it. Even when they screwed up a rediculously easy order.

I love the atmosphere but the chef/owner and manager have become lazy while riding the wave of popularity that this place is experiencing.

I have gone for dinner, happy hour and lunch and this place is going downhill fast. For example, if you show up for happy hour, they don't know what's on special or where the drink menus are. This is not the fault of the servers....it is the managers job to be sure that the staff is trained properly.

If you go for dinner you will be rushed, your food will be slow, and your bill will be large.

As for lunch, I went recently and it was an insult to be neglected. I took a friend on our lunch hour. (Yes, sasa, lunch is only an hour) I boasted and bragged about how wonderful it was and how I go regularly. We arrived at about 20 after and ordered right away.We waited 18 minutes for our dried out edamame, and our extra simple rolls showed up at 3 minutes to the hour. Not to mention that they were wrong, and had to be sent back. The manager walked by at least 12 times and knew how long our food took, and did nothing. He did not offer an apology or to try to make it right on the next visit. He just acted like he didn't notice.
This seems like a crappy way to treat a regular who sends countless people to your establishment.

We were forced to take our food to go in order to return to work on time.

I did not want our food for free, but I would like to know that my business is appreciated. I never have a huge bill because of a special diet. But I am able to recommend a restaurant to hundreds of people on a regular basis.

I must say that I am sorry that such a wonderful place has such low standards for service and hospitality.

A manager is someone who can fix something before it becomes an issue.

40 minutes for a veggie roll? Try again.

Pros: amazing menu

Cons: slow

Posted 06/15/09

After reading a few of these reviews I had to put my two cents in for Sushi Sasa. I must first say that my boyfriend and I are true sushi lovers. We have eaten at Tao in Las Vegas and he has eaten at Nobu in Dallas even meeting Chef Nobu Matsuhisa once. Having said that, true Sushi Lovers will understand that we are not the roll loving, soy sauce/wasabi paste dunking, average sushi eaters. We typically eat sashimi and especially love omakasi. We first went to Sushi Sasa a year ago and fell in love instantly. We ordered the Omakasi and spend each course moaning and groaning over the phenomenal, exciting, inventive creations. We have now been back several times and each time we are not disappointed. I easily put this place on Par with Tao in Las Vegas. As for the people who complain about the "small selection" or "rolls" well they obviously don't understand these types of restaurants. High quality restaurants like Sushi Sasa are not out to astound you with 50 rolls. They have concise, creative fushions created by true Chefs. The restaurant was loud? It is probably because the place stays packed but that kind of energy doesn't deter us so we've never had a problem. Actually, if you go on a weeknight it's much more subdued. Also, we've had nothing but amazing service but then again we enjoying dining not shoving food in our mouths and running out the door. If you want the best, most innovative sushi in Denver then you will be a true fan of Sushi Sasa. As for everyone who gave this place a bad review, I hope you don't go back so that we can insure a seat the next time we go.

Pros: Amazingly Fresh Fish, Innovative Menu and Excellent Service

Cons: It's not next door to our apartment

Posted 02/27/09

We went to Sushi Sasa on Sunday,February 15th for a belated Valentine's dinner. We called for reservations on Friday and made them for the only available time slot open. We expected the restaurant to be loud and crowded and that we would wait to sit down and none of this was the case. We were warmly greeted at the door and seated immediately. Our server was quick and friendly and guided us through all of our menu questions. We ordered drinks, several appetizers, sashimi, the amazing toro tartare, had soup and salad and dessert all for around $100. Is that an expensive dinner? Maybe, but since when is sushi cheap? We ate well beyond what we were hungry for just to try all of the interesting menu items and because it was a special dinner. Sushi Sasa has great food, great atmosphere and we had great service and we're already planning a return!

Pros: Different from your average sushi menu

Cons: Hard to just walk in- reservations often required

Posted 02/16/09

I took 7 friends for a Birthday celebration and was COMPLETELY DISSAPOINTED. First the food is way over priced and is just average in quality. Secondly the service is appalling. Our party ordered soup and/ or salad and a goodly amount of sushi and rolls. and then each a hot course. After the soup and salad course, we sat...& we sat...&........... Our waitperson was talking with a young man at the bar. After about 15 min. She brought out 3 of the 4 sticky rice bowls and left them to cool. Another 15 min. passed a noodle dish came out for one person. Ten minutes later the hot food shows up along with about $50.00 of sushi and rolls. Rice is cold, I am hot and the meal is ruined. The manager shrugged. WON'T GO BACK, EVAAR!

Pros: None

Cons: Service. Service, Service.

Posted 02/12/09

While visiting friends in Boulder over the holidays, we happened to come across Sushi Sasa via a hotel recommendation. Yes, it was kinda hard to find at first, being that my friends just moved to Boulder, from Chicago. But once we arrived it was like we had found a small pearl in a very old building. The decor was a bit stark, but I found it more modern than awkward. The wine list was a bit overbearing, but we had nothing but pure guidance from our server. Our server recommended a few items, I guess luckily to our liking we enjoyed everything from the rolls to the nigiri, I am not a big sashimi fan, but my friends loved the sashimi appetizer. A few things from the kitchen were shared by all. Overall, i would highly recommend Sushi Sasa to any of my friends if they were to ever visit Denver. This is my first posting here on citysearch, but I am sure, as I travel often, it will not be my last. Happy eating.

Posted 12/27/08

I was expecting big things, and was appalled. I expected a sushi restaurant, not a yuppy place that happened to serve sushi. It was painfully loud and uncomfortable. It was crowded too, though I could not understand why. The sushi selection was horrible. I guess they figured 20 pages of liquor menu would get you drunk enough you wouldn't notice the lack of sushi selection. The ingredients were all good, but the rolls were horribly put together. I make better rolls at home myself. I could barely eat because the rolls fell apart so easily. The service wasn't good either, though I expected that based on the other reviews on this site. In short, I'm never going there again. Sonodas is light years ahead of this place on all fronts: food, atmosphere, decor, service, etc. This place has nothing to recommend it. I can't see why anyone goes there. My dinner there was a horrible experience and I won't be repeating it (even if it was free). Sushi Sasa- you pay for the pretension, not the food or the experience. Safe yourself an unpleasant experience, you'll have a better dinner if you grab day old sushi from the deli at the grocery store.

Pros: food freshness

Cons: worst rolled sushi ever, so loud it hurt my ears, slow service, way too crowded, unpleasant decor, no selection, bad parking

Posted 12/23/08

It was OK. I would have given it 3 stars except that I could not hear my dinner partner across a small table. The sushi was good, but the rolls were all overpriced and kept falling apart. The service was very slow and drinks, alcoholic or not took forever. The atmosphere and noise level was more like that of a trendy bar not a restaurant.

Pros: Reservations

Cons: noise, prices, parking, service

Posted 12/22/08

The food was pretty good, but the atmosphere and service need work. If you sit upstairs, it is crowed and noisy. I also expected the service to be fine dining due to the prices. Not so, and she overcharged us. She charged $20 dollars per glass of wine that was $10. My boyfriend didn't tell me until we got home, so I didn't get a chance to correct the mistake. Giving her the benefit of the doubt that it was just a mistake, not the kind of mistake I would expect from a nice restaurant. I might try it again during the week to see if the service is better, but last time I went it was just as noisy. Also, it bothers me that the restrooms are oddly situated and you can hear the dining room noise. Maybe that is just me. I went for a special birthday dinner that wasn't very special.

Pros: good sushi

Cons: noisy, crowded, service

Posted 07/21/08

I LOVE this place! It is the BEST sushi I have ever had! I've had sushi at some of the best places in the US, Nobu, Geisha House, Social House but Wayne has a special way of making it beyond exceptional, FRESH ingrediants, absolute chic atmosphere, Lychee martinis... Awh, I love it!

Pros: Its the best sushi I have ever had!

Posted 05/24/08

As always, you will find incredible food at Sushi Sasa! The waitress was a delight. Conversely, you are NOT allowed cameras in the restaurant as there might be 'spies'. So, don't take a long a camera for a birthday dinner. Otherwise, fantastic. Will continue to go ... just without the proof.

Posted 05/20/08

We came in to Sushi Sasa for lunch the other day, it was very busy and we were a party of 7, but much to our surprise, we were seated in 5 minutes and the afternoon continued with great service.. Our server seemed busy, but was very informative with every dish that came out. They had many veggie tempuras and veggie rolls to choose from for my vegetarian sister and even offered to create a vegetarian plate for her. They also brought out chicken skewers for my son. We ordered many different rolls, my favorite being the spicy tuna dynamite roll with a ponzu sauce. Everybody had a great time. I have been to Sushi Sasa before and had been talking it up to my family for a while now, thanks for making it as great as i had told them it was!
Be back soon!

Pros: Beautiful place, friendly service, awesome food, menu with something for everyone!

Cons: Parking during the day

Posted 04/20/08

I just moved to Denver from Miami about 2 months ago. I went to Sushi Sasa for the first time this weekend. I had such a great time. First, I was very skeptical about sushi in the mountains, and my date was out to prove me wrong. He certainly did! I was blown away! The fish was SO fresh an sooo good! It was extremely busy, and a very trendy crowd. I felt right at home. We had this sparkeling sake that i had never had before- it's my new favorite drink!!! I will be back for sure. I can't wait! i need to make reservations for me and my girlfriends for this weekend, (we had resv. and still had to wait about 10 minutes, but i didn't care because it was at the bar that I was introduced to the sparkeling sake!). Love it! Love it! Love it!

Posted 04/20/08

So I'm an avid fan of Sushi Den. I've been to local places, Sonodas, wherever. I've been going to Sushi Den exclusively for the past two years so I've developed a palette for the good stuff.

Whenever talking sushi with anyone, Sushi Sasa always comes up. "Have you tried Sushi Sasa in the Highlands area? It's as good as / better than Sushi Den and cheaper!"

I had dinner there one night and immediately noticed how simple and clean it presented itself. So the layout and interior design of the restaurant was good. Different, but obviously some effort was put into it. The main upstairs area was full, so we were brought to the bar/lounge area downstairs. Even smaller than the main area, it was slightly cramped and loud. What did you say?

Food was not bad, but not excellent. Service was suitable.

Fast forward to when I grab to go orders from them during lunchtime. Lunch was reasonably priced and decent. Today. I walk in the front area and find no host/hostess. I stand there for several minutes with no help so I walk myself to the waiter's station where a manager comes up to me to give me my order. I walk out with a frown.

I guess with "rave reviews" and such great comments you would expect something great. I suppose if I had no hopes or expectation of the place I wouldn't have been disappointed, but when you're comparing it to Sushi Den who has amazing sushi nearly 100% of the time, staff always properly positioned so you are never neglected or ignored, amazing interior and just overall great experience, Sushi Sasa unfortunately just does not compare. Not to mention, if you have a member in your party that does not want sushi, you're limited to well, nothing but sushi. The size of the restaurant didn't seem to cater to larger groups either.

So all in all, it is not worth all the hype. Just another overrated restaurant that does not live up to its praise. I' would rather drive 15 minutes to get sushi from my office as opposed to walking down the street.

Pros: Overall presentation

Cons: Parking and everything else. Although parking is the least of your worries.

Posted 04/16/08

We visited Sushi Sasa for our first time this weekend. I was there with my parents and wife and from the beginning we had a poor experience. Service was extremely slow and it was impossible to order cocktails or wine. When we did, it took 20 minutes to get our order. The menu is very limited and the sushi is just average. We were not even offered dessert and instead, our waitress just brought the check. We had to have someone bring her back so we could get a dessert menu. There are better options for sushi around town and I will not be returning.

Posted 03/24/08

This has to be one of the most overrated restaurants in Denver. I am a sushi aficionado and have ate at almost every sushi restaurant in Colorado and many times in Japan. I know its hard to find good sushi in Denver but the experience at Sushi Sasa was horrible from start to finish. We ordered Ankimo(steamed monkfish liver) as a starter but it was red, dry, and stunk like a liver from a common fish. We ordered a Ginjo sake we were very familiar with but they served it in a bleach smelling glass that we had to get replaced. They never replaced the sake that went to the sink with the chlorinated glass! The sake was very watery and was not like the same sake we had before at other restaurants. It was probably old or split with another drink. They never opened the bottle in front of us so it could have been diluted with something else in the kitchen. The kobe beef we ordered was very ordinarily cooked and nothing special. As for the sushi, it was mediocre. The fish was about the same quality you find in other Denver sushi joints but the rice was awful. The rice was mushy and sticky in the mouth and did not balance with the fish. I was very disappointed with this restaurant after all the good reviews I have read and praise I have heard from friends. I will definately not go back and would recommend you spend your money elsewhere.

Posted 03/22/08

I've loved Sasa ever since they opened. Great food, Great atmosphere and Great Service!!! A+ all the way! Keep it up Sasa!

Boo to Sushi Den!

Pros: The whole place!

Cons: Nothing!

Posted 01/25/08

This is the best sushi we've had! We normally go to another popular sushi place in Denver, but after reading the reviews of Sushi Sasa, we had to try it. The atmosphere, the service, but most of all the food was phenominal!! Our waiter had suggestions that were amazing. We went on a Friday night, be sure to make a reservation. This place totally exceeded our expectations, even after reading the great reviews. We are now huge fans of Sushi Sasa!

Pros: Sushi, service, atmosphere

Cons: Small dining area

Posted 01/19/08

I saw this place driving to work and decided to try it, and I was very impressed! The food was very delicious and the atmosphere was incredibly peaceful! Check them out and be sure to try their spider rolls, 2 words DA-LICIOUS!

Posted 12/05/07

I didn't have much time, I was only in denver for one night and the concierges at the hotel Teatro highly reccommended it. The whole house was packed and I didn't have a reservation, but the host let me know that it wouldn't be too long before I would have a table she said 15 to 20 minutes, so I had a drink at their bar and waited about 10 minutes before I was sent back upstairs to my table. The service was a little rough at first, but we had noelle as our server and she ended up being really good and very knowledgeable about the food and the sake. The food and presentation was very immpressive, We had a good amount of their specialty fish the snapper sampler, croation toro, fresh unagi, live octopus and the kobe beef, all of them were very good, and Fresh. Also had a really good cold sake that I couldn't even begin to spell. The staff seemed to be on top of the experience and the manager seemed to stop by at just the right times to check on us, very attentive younger guy. Overall I would reccommend this place to any one and I will be sure to stop back by when I am in town. It rates right up there with Masa which is my hometown favorite, except my bill wasn't quite as high.

Pros: Food and Service

Posted 11/29/07

If you?re a true sushi lover like me, and I don?t mean eating just sushi rolls, but the real stuff sashimi style, then this is the best spot in the city! The ambience at this establishment is chic, clean, and modern. It is a great place to dine for a date, business meeting, or anytime if you have a discerning palate and can only settle for the absolute best. Now, I?ve lived on the west coast and I honestly can say that I never even had sushi there that was a wonderful as this spot. I?ve eaten sushi everywhere, and this is really one of only a few select places that has made a lasting impression on my senses and most importantly taste buds. There is not one place in Denver that can even come close, sorry Sushi Den!

Pros: Cusine, Ambience

Cons: Parking

Posted 11/15/07

Im sorry but this sushi was about one step above "grocery store sushi". Sushi Den and Sonoda's are much better quality and have better service. I was in a group of 8 and was charged 18% gratuity for fast-food-quality service. No one was personable or helpful and the food was way overpriced. The rolls were 50% rice and 5% fish. I felt sick afterwards from the food and the bathrooms were smelly and dirty- which didnt help out the tummy ache.

Cons: Expensive, low quality sushi, horrible service

Posted 11/07/07

I made sure to read all the reviews posted on here before i went to Sasa so I could compare previous reviews with my own experience. All in all, I thought it was good sushi. I don't think it is necessarily better than Den though. The menu was definitely a bit more diverse and unique here as I was able to try cuttlefish sashimi for the first time. I do agree that the place needs a sign on the front door but besides that I thought it was a great experience. It was not very noisy as other reviews state, the food was great, and both the server and host were very hospitable. I'd go again... if Den closes down.

Pros: Great selection, delicious food

Cons: No sign, a little pricey

Posted 09/15/07

I spent 65.00 on lunch . The waiter took away food that was hardly touched and never asked how our food was. It was terrible. The fish was not fresh. When I told the host he said he would take care of me next time. There wont be a next time

Pros: Nice atmosphere

Cons: poor service fish is not fresh, be carefull, order cooked food

Posted 09/09/07

I will be the first to admit that when I fall in love with a restaurant, I fall head over heals. It has been almost two years now, and this is still by far the best Sushi restaurant in Denver, and is on par with anything else I have eaten across the country! Yes, you have to wait if you don?t have a reservation. Yes, the service can be spotty on busy nights. Yes, if you don?t know where to park, it can be hard to deal with. But WHO CARES! The fish is Top Notch! Wayne, AJ, Jimmy and crew all fling some amazingly fresh and delicious dishes. They always have strange and hard to find fish from all over the world and some of the best rolls in town. I am yet to have a bad experience there and I have eaten there at least three times a month since my first visit. You say what about Sushi Den? I say what about them? Ever since their expansion, they have become a first-rate Vegas style food factory with good food and service. But if you want something truly exceptional and food that goes above and beyond all else, go see Wayne at Sushi Sasa!

Pros: Best fish by far!

Cons: None big enough to mention.

Posted 08/21/07

This is definitely a hidden jewel... Freshest fish, masterful preparation, incredible service, elegant atmosphere, delicious cocktails... all with a friendly neighborhood vibe. Lively, but quiet enough for easy conversation. Regulars (and newbies!) are treated like royalty. I don't think I could ask for more in a sushi joint. Manager Joey is the bomb!! Definitely get reservations, Sasa fills up quick.

Pros: Atmosphere, INCREDIBLE service, great sashimi and tempura

Cons: Absolutely none!

Posted 08/07/07

Having read the reviews, we decided to head down early on a Sunday. I called on the way to see if there might be a table open, yes, see you when you get here! From the delicious cold sake to the red bean ice cream at the end, the experience is one of those you know you'll do again. Elegantly creative food and a joy to have smaller portions. Yes, it can add up to try all those lovely little tasting plates but not a one was disappointing in the slightest. Our server was speedy, attentive and had many great recommendations for first time patrons. There was parking in the little lot with designated Sushi Sasa spots attached to the building on the west side.

Pros: Gorgeous interior, great addition to the area, THE FOOD

Posted 07/03/07

Sasa is truly the best place to get sushi west of the Allagash river. I was truly impressed with everything from the food and wine, to the neighborhood itself (there is a huge REI down the street). My wife and I went in this saturday night (we tried Friday but they were booked solid), and to start off with, we were both floored by the subtle, zen-like atmosphere. Everything is quietly elegant and really compliments all the pretty faces that fill the place from top to bottom. I could have just people watched and been fine, and my wife noted that even the wait staff was to be admired. But really, Sasa is all about the fish. my work takes me all over the country and I can't remember the last place i've enjoyed such tasty creations. Our waiter told us that The chef/owner spent some time with Iron chef Morimoto from the food network and maybe that's what makes Sasa so good. Another tip our waiter gave us was to try at least one thing from the kitchen with our sushi and I can't thank him enough. We had an amazing black cod dish and I can't wait to go back to try something else. As I said, it wasn't perfect, we did have to wait for some of our food, but having eaten at as many restaurants as I have, you can't go into a busy, popular restaurant on a weekend night and expect things to be perfect. I was actually surprised when we got there that there were empty tables at 8:30, but the host explained that they would all be full in a matter of minutes with the next wave of reservations and sure enough, within ten minutes the place was roaring with people. I felt bad for our waiter, as he went from just us to a full section in a matter of minutes. But he was very freindly and knowledgeable and despite being busy, took the time to talk to us and answer our questions. I suppose my only real complaint was that nothing was on tap and the beers were all huge, so you really had to commit to getting a good buzz. Wait, that's not a complaint!!! Awesome, highly recommended.

Pros: The restaurant as a whole!

Cons: Finding the restaurant ( no sign), and parking

Posted 06/03/07

My boyfriend and I have gone to Sushi Sasa twice. I will never go again. The first time was highly anticipated as I'd heard fantastic things regarding both the atmosphere and the sushi. So, it took about ten minutes for the waiter to come by and take our drink orders. Fine. The service was lackadaisical at best, but the sushi was good and the oysters on the half shell were some of the best I've had in Denver.

Last night we decided to go back, especially because of the oysters. Made reservations for 9:30. Get there early and decide to have a drink downstairs. There's a huge birthday party where seated behind them are people trying to enjoy their dinnner. It is so loud that a conversation is impossible to be had. We go upstairs when our table is ready. Firstly, they seat us right by the door with a view of the kitchen. I ask for a better table. TWENTY minutes later the waiter comes by for the first time to take our drink orders. 45 minutes go by and NOTHING. Find out eventually that there are no oysters. No oysters on a Friday night?We decide to leave after simply waiting and waiting and waiting. They give us some free sushi, but it was such an atrocious experience it doesn't matter. We expected good sushi, good service, good atmosphere. Just because the food is good does NOT compensate for such poor service. The experience was ruined for us and I, for one, will never return. Too bad because it has a lot of potential.

Pros: Atmosphere, raw menu, sushi

Cons: Worst service I've ever experienced anywhere

Posted 06/02/07

Dare I say it....better than the Den. Yes, I said it! I've been going to the Den for years and I must say Sasa is absolutely amazing. I always order the Chef's tasting menu and have never ever been dissapointed. Be sure to make a reservation as they will turn you away as I saw on a Thursday night to an unfortunate group of people. Nothing bad to say about this place!

Pros: Sushi, free parking in back and great service

Cons: Ambience is a little stark but it makes the food stand out even more

Posted 04/28/07

I have been dining at Sushi Sasa since it opened a little over 2 years ago now. I have never had any of the problems everyone else is talking about. The servers know us and generally dont have to ask for our drink order. It doesnt matter which chef we sit in front of (granted 99.9% of the time it is Wayne) but they always remember what we like and do not like. Lunch time service is fantastic, i have taken several co-workers with me to get sushi and out of all of the sushi restaurants I have been to around denver and other cities, this is by far the one that got me hooked on Sushi! The Diablo Roll is absolutely mouth watering and any of the tar-tar dishes are amazing as well. Savory and Fresh all the way I highly recommend this joint and I will continue to go there until it becomes one of these other massive monstrosity sushi bars that dont have the personal touch that wayne adds to every dish they serve.

Pros: You get what you pay for! You pay a higher price at Sasa but its worth it, other sushi bars charge an arm and a leg and the fish is bad. Sasa has never to this date served a piece of bad fish!

Cons: Parking can be an issue but its worth it!

Posted 03/05/07

I think any restaurant is worth two visits before making a judgement. After one average visit and one poor visit, I just don't agree with the hype this restaurant is receiving. The service was weak (and the host brought the attitude we should feel priveledged to dine there.) I acknowledge that the fish was good (very fresh, good variety - holds it own against any restaurant I've tried in Denver) but both nights, the rice was so poorly prepared, the rolls wouldn't hold together. The restaurant was particularly loud - difficult to hold a conversation. To the credit of the host, they came up and asked our opinion of the restaurant and the meal (this was within the first couple weeks of Sushi Sasa opening). When we gave him our honest feedback (about the rolls), he disregarded our comments and responded with a story about how some celebrity had just visited. There are plenty of other Sushi restaurants that are less expensive, have better service/less pretentious, and have a better atmosphere. As much as I wanted to like Sushi Sasa, it disappointed on all three fronts.

Pros: Fish variety, freshness

Cons: Service, value, poorly constructed rolls, loud

Posted 02/13/07

The sushi is very over rated. The rolls are a bit basic and non-inventive but have a high sticker price, why? The salmon sashimi is served in blocks (I'm told the traditional Japanese way) but this cut makes it unappealing. The service was just okay (a bit lazy except for the host) but who cares if the food is on the mark. This place isn't bad, it's just not as great as some of the reviews it gets.

Pros: Parking

Cons: Average Food

Posted 01/24/07

Susi SaSa was amazing. Extremely helpful host and friendly waiters made this weekend dining experience uniquely pleasant. My husband is in love with their Shiitake Mushrooms salad and I can't wait to go and try the rest of the dishes on the "From Japan" menu. Absolutely Delicious!

Pros: Friendly atmosphere, awesome food.

Cons: Make Reservations.

Posted 01/19/07

The best ever! I have tried some of the best sushi in the country but love Sasa more than anything, with the personalized service and friendly faces its so nice! Great prices too!!! I love Wayne & the rest of the Sasa staff!!!

Pros: Everything!!!

Cons: Parking

Posted 12/25/06

I went to Sushi Sasa on a Saturday evening with a girl-friend who had raved about HER neighborhood sushi place. And I still can't get that evening off my mind!
Due to traffic we were late for our reservation (which is highly recommended), yet the staff was very nice about it and held our spot for us! The restaurant was packed out, and the crowd was lively, which is my kind of place. If you are looking for some place to have a deep serious conversation or quietly read a book, this may not be your scene. But if you want to have a good night out with friends and enjoy some boisterous laughs, you will fit right in. The service, despite what some of these people -eh hm- have said, was awesome. Ona was on top of it, with Nathan attentively behind. (Single ladies, attention, mighty fine young men work here!) They chatted with us, folded our napkins when we went to the restroom, helped us with our coats when we were leaving, and walked us to the door. The sushi chefs were quite charming, Elan in front of us, and Chef Wayne to his side. Chef Wayne made a point of asking about our dining experience. The food needs one word, amazing. Try the Diablo roll, named appropriately, for it is sinful to enjoy sushi that good.
The next day, I woke up with a big smile on my face, it felt as if I had just gone on a great date!
I will definitely be returning!

Pros: Good food, great atmosphere, charming staff

Cons: Can't think of any

Posted 12/15/06

Super sophisticated fish offering, not unlike what you'd find on the West coast. The head chef here knows Japanese cuisine, and it can be seen in the tradition way the restaurant presents things. Cool downtown location in the up and coming Highlands Bluff area is also a plus. The atmosphere is loud, but not overwhelming. The staff cool, but not overbearing.

Only downside is going on Sundays.. the owner and head chef isn't usually there and the food can sometimes be slightly below the quality you'd normally expect from SaSa. Otherwise, excellent experience all around. Try the Diabo Roll and the selection of exotic fish they always have on tap. And call ahead! These days Sasa is in demand!

Posted 12/02/06

I've been to this place few times now, service kept getting worst. The minimalism theme of the restaurant is not working very well because in order for you to have a conversation with your friends, you have to scream because that places get so loud! The quality of ish is only average. 3 out of 4 times I went there, the special sushi they put on the menu were out. But even for the normal sushi course, salmon was not fatty, tasteless; tuna was stringy (demonstrated the inexperience chefs), toro was only marginal. The worst is the service! All 4 times I've been there, with only two people for dinner, we had to wait for at least an hour and half for the first "food" to get to our table, and the restaurant was not even busy at the time. All times we have to spend at least 3 to 4 hours there for a sushi dinner. Most people go there are pretending to be hip when they don't even know what is considered in good sushi. The price of their sushi definitely offering below average quality food. I will definitely not recommend this place.

Pros: Cooked food are okay.

Cons: Limited parking, very slow service, too loud

Posted 11/03/06

Very fresh. Try the Diablo roll. )))))))))) )))))))))) )))))))))) )))))))) ))))))))) )))))))))))) )))))))))))))) )))))))))) )))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Posted 10/28/06

Sounds like the guy below has issues with himself. If he hates it so much then why has he gone there 4 times! I thought the food and service were top notch. There is a bit of a wait on the weekends, but it's worth it when you taste the food!

Pros: Food, service

Cons: parking, finding it

Posted 10/25/06

This may be some of the best sushi I've ever eaten. Service is excellent. I like both the dining room & the downstairs bar area. It's usually not as busy down there b/c people don't realize it's there. I highly recommend this place!

Posted 10/17/06

Two word review... Go here!

Food - The sushi was some of the best I've ever had. The Toro was incredible - melt on your tongue and the flavor to go with it. The regular tuna was excellent as well - I planned to order a 2nd order of it, but the waiter convinced me to go for the Toro instead (and I didn't regret it even with the $5 vs $12 per order difference). The Diablo Roll was superb as well (raw tuna & avocado inside, seered tuna outside).

As for service - I had a totally different experience from some of the people on here who have said the service wasn't good. My waiters (I ate in the downstairs bar area, so I had my normal waiter plus the bartender helping out) were always there when I needed them and offerred good ordering suggestions.

Atmosphere - Clean, simple, sophisticated. Nothing overly-fancy, but very nicely done in an Asian minimalist contemporary sort of style.

Price - Honestly, I would have expected higher. I spent more than my portion of the tab when i normally go out for sushi with friends. But, then again, I don't normally have the $12 Toro for desert when it's not on the company tab either. All total, I had 3 orders of sashimi (one of them being the Toro), 1 specialty roll, and 1 22oz beer for $43 plus tip. Not bad for a stomach full of sushi.

Summary - I repeat my opening comment... Go here!

Pros: Excellent food, atmosphere, service

Cons: None

Posted 09/21/06

Coming from Philadelphia, which is home of Iron Chef Morimoto's resturaunt, I was a bit reluctant to venture into the sushi scene anywhere else...especially Denver. My experience at Sushi Sasa was one that was quite pleasant. From the moment I walked in I was greeted with warm welcome by almost all of the staff, even in the midst of the pandemonium during the lunch hours. I had been asked if I had ever been to the resturaunt, after saying no, they had insisted they show me a tour...as I walked through with the host, he had explained to me a bit of background relating to the establishment and some future plans. Afterwards, my food was brought to me and I was sent off with warm farewells. The funny thing is, this was my take-out experience. You don't need to be in quantum physics to figure what dining is like. Hats off to Sushi Sasa and the level of expertise they are bringing to a city that..well, quite frankly, could use a little help! I highly reccomend sittig with either Nate or Johnny! Ciao for now!

Pros: Excellent sushi, service, and environment!

Cons: none!

Posted 09/08/06

I had heard good things about Sasa & had driven by in the past, but the night I finally decided to go, they had taken the sign outside down, claiming that they want the restaurant to be kind of an "in the know" place, which made it tough for my friends to find & therefore made them late. Also, when I had called earlier, the hostess strongly urged me to make reservations, however in the time that we were there, the restaurant was never completely full...I'm a little torn over the "snob factor" given by the staff when there are other GREAT sushi places making themselves a little more accessible. As other people have written, the service needs improvement. It took FOREVER to get our drinks each round that we ordered. I will say, however, that the sushi was excellent. Definitely up to par with Sushi Den. The quality was superb & the taste was outstanding. So...if they can work on the "uppity" attitude, and improve the service, I think we'll have a high-quality keeper.

Pros: Great sushi

Cons: Snobby staff, slow service (especially drinks!), somewhat "sterile" ambiance

Posted 09/05/06

I'm not a huge fan of how Sushi Sasa is decorated, very minimal, a little cold and extremely loud! The sushi was good, however I ordered unagi and it came 15 minutes after everyone else's meal came (including a friends chocolate cake). When I mentioned something to the manager he told me that my sushi came out last because unagi is supposed to be ordered as dessert. Sooo, my sushi, that I ordered off the dinner sushi menu, which came out after the order of a chocolate cake, is apparently a dessert. I had no idea. I always order unagi at sushi restaurants and have never had this happen. I think the server just forgot my order, no big deal, an apology would have been nice though. It did take a really long time to get drinks as well, I don't think me or my friends will be back. Way overrated.

Pros: Sushi was delicious and high quality

Cons: Loud, unwelcoming ambiance, horrible service

Posted 09/01/06