by Elizabeth Slonim Macanufo
SEKISUI
3024 South Grand Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63118
Diners at Sekisui are treated to one of the most unique features in all of St. Louis restaurants – a calming waterfall dividing the restaurant into two parts. The waterfall forms an open and relaxing atmosphere for sushi lovers to enjoy chef Kenji Nemoto’s creations. Chef Nemoto is notorious for his devotion to St. Louis Cardinal’s player So Taguchi, and has created a Cardinals Roll (smelt roe avocado, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber) in his honor. Sekisui’s menu includes a section of “Chef Kenji’s Specialties,” listing varieties of Sashimi Salad to squid and octopus with miso sauce. Chef Nemoto is known to wander among his diners, inquiring as to how they’re enjoying his rolls. The answers are inevitably positive.

By Elizabeth Slomin

SUB ZERO VODKA BAR
308 North Euclid Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63011
(314) 367-1200

Sub Zero Vodka Bar is located on prime real estate in the Central West End. The bar specializes in vodka, offering 170 styles kept at 0 degree temperatures. While they’re known for their vodka, they’re also a hot spot for sushi. The menu includes nigiri as well as temaki, or hand rolled sushi. Tamaki varieties include California, salmon, tuna, and eel avocado. Combination plates are available, as well as rolls. The owners put their personal stamp on the menu by creating their own roll. The Lucas Roll contains eel, yellowtail, avocado, and cucumber. Beyond sushi, the Sub Zero menu includes appetizers, such as tempura shrimp and sashimi, fried rice, and for those uninterested in Asian fare, pizza.