Raw Sushi Lounge is located at the edge of Louisville’s Fourth Street Live district on the ground floor of the historic Marmaduke building. It is owned by partners Anthony Noland and David Grace. With more than half of the menu dedicated to its title food, Raw Sushi Lounge in Louisville serves some of the best sushi in town.
The Experience
True to its name, Raw Sushi Lounge is unassuming in appearance. Its entrance seems bare in contrast to its Fourth Street Live background, and the restaurant itself is an interesting blend of industrial décor and Asian comfort. The owners of Raw made no attempt to hide the poles and beams that hold the building together. In fact, one of the owners was happy to inform us that the name Raw was inspired by the restaurant’s appearance rather than its signature dish.
Diners can choose between three types of seating at Raw. Seats are available at the drink bar, in traditional tables at the front of the restaurant, or, my personal favorite, in couches at the rear of the restaurant. Raw’s couches surround coffee tables and are dimly lit, promoting either good conversation among friends or the perfect romantic setting, depending on which you happen to be seeking.
The Food
Half of the menu at Raw is devoted to its title dish. Raw offers 13 different choices of Nigiri Sushi for between $4 and $6, and 13 different types of sushi rolls for between $6 and $15. The sushi is prepared at the sushi bar located at the front of the restaurant by Sushi Chef Troy Riddel.
The six different appetizers include edamame, pot stickers, and miso soup and range from $5 to $16. Raw also offers a house salad for $4, an Asian chopped salad for $8, and a seaweed salad for $9. The nine entrees and specials, ranging from $16 to $28, are prepared in the kitchen by Executive Chef Leo Lolowitz.
The Service
The wait staff at Raw Sushi lounge is always friendly and knowledgeable. I’ve never had to wait for a drink, which is nice because some of Raw’s dishes are relatively spicy. The service is on the ball without being over-zealous, so you have what you need without being constantly harassed by a server.
Review
This was not my first time eating at Raw Sushi Lounge, and it will definitely not be my last. I was introduced to the restaurant earlier this year by my husband. It took him some prying to get me to dine there with him -- I was never a huge fan of sushi -- but I eventually gave in and met him there one evening after work. Since that night in the summer of 2007, we’ve tried to eat at Raw at least once every couple of months.
The sushi at Raw is unlike any other sushi I’ve ever eaten. If you think that sushi is supposed to have an overwhelming fishy taste and a barely-chewable seaweed wrap, then you, like me, have probably just been eating sushi at the wrong places. The sushi at Raw melts in your mouth as easily as butter, and the blend of ingredients is seemingly scientific. I discovered this when I made the mistake of taking the tuna out of a White Tiger roll, turning a pleasantly spicy piece of sushi into a ball of fire that I think might have actually burned my throat upon swallowing.
On the night of the review, we started our meal with a bowl of edamane, a salty soy bean appetizer that’s surprisingly tasty, as well as a good tongue coolant after eating some of the spicier sushi rolls. We then progressed to four sushi rolls: a California Roll, a Dynamite Roll, a Yum Yum Roll, and a Caterpillar Roll. My personal favorite was the Yum Yum Roll, a spicy blend of crab and rice, though the Caterpillar Roll, a chef’s special, was an interesting and delicious surprise.
Recommendations
- Edamame
- Yum Yum Roll
- Caterpillar Roll
- Mojito
Pros
- The best sushi in Louisville
- Comfortable atmosphere, conducive to conversation
- Great service
Cons
- Price -- For two people, the bill for sushi alone runs close to $40 without a tip. For an appetizer, sushi, and entrees, the bill for two people could run close to $100.
- Parking is occasionally difficult during busy downtown times and on weekends.
