First look: Tsunami

Asian-fusion spot makes a splash with aesthetics

By Robert Jacobs

December 13, 2007

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The owners of Tsunami take aesthetics seriously. You can see it in the design of the chairs, the gleaming silver surface of the bar and the white globes hanging from the ceiling like a galaxy of pale moons. Fortunately, you can also see and taste it in the food. Placed just across the courtyard from sibling restaurant Lemongrass, Tsunami shares a similar sense of style and atmosphere. Tsunami, however, is somewhat smaller and just a little more formal than its Thai counterpart. Judging by the number of couples we saw tucked away in quiet booths (flirting with chopsticks), we can say with confidence that this is a good place to take someone special.

Food: The style here is Asian-fusion, which means lots of sushi, noodle dishes, dumplings and seafood. Yet, fusion also includes Western influences. Tsunami's manager Brian Biven said, "Some people think we're just a sushi bar, but we have a couple of really nice steaks if you're not into sushi." Indeed. How about a burnt sugar chili New York strip steak? Maybe pepper seared beef tenderloin? If you're not interested in sushi but love good fish, try the mustard miso glazed Chilean sea bass. Be forewarned though—it's so superbly presented that you'll feel guilty eating it. As for the sushi—well it really did look too good to eat. It was as delicate and beautiful as night-blooming jasmine.  

For dessert, we tried green tea vanilla cake with Japanese red bean ice cream and caramelized cashews. Delicious. Too bad we were full, we would have liked to have tasted at least three other desserts.    

Drinks: Tsunami has a fully stocked bar for you mixologists out there, plus an array of good tap beer including Kirin, Yuengling, Blue Moon, Stella Artois, Dogfish Head, Amstel Light and Woodchuck Pear Cider. There is also a fairly extensive wine list with close to 50 red and whites and a handful of champagnes.

Digs: Elegantly designed, Tsunami has a cool, intimate interior with a sleek silver bar and semi-private booths along the walls. It also has a steel counter along the front window where you can sit on high stools and watch passers-by as you eat.

Vibe: The mood here is cool urban sophistication for people who appreciate the aesthetic side of life but aren't uptight.