Arigato Sushi

With a fantastic menu, Arigato Sushi has been my favorite, consistent in quality sushi restaurant in Santa Barbara for over a decade

There’s something to be said about finding the quintessential sushi restaurant in Santa Barbara. After my friend Derrick introduced me to its hallowed walls, I’ve made repeat trips to Arigato Sushi in Santa Barbara for years.

For a period of time, if someone asked me where my favorite sushi restaurant was, irregardless of location – I would instantly mention Arigato.

On a casual night in April, I found myself in Santa Barbara. After a bit of shopping, I stopped by Arigato Sushi for dinner for one. Snuggling in at the bar, I felt comfortable and a well deserved hunger.

This time, I started with a glass of MARGERUM SYBARITE SAUVIGNON BLANC by Happy Canyon, MISO SOUP and WAKAME (seaweed) salad.

For my main dishes of the evening, I enjoyed the BLACK & WHITE (Roll Broiled Hirame, Snow Crab, Avocado, Kyuri, Black & White Sesame Seeds, Ponzu), the MAGIC MUSHROOM (Shiitake, Maitake, Enoki, Shimeji, Eringi, Asparagus, Avo, Chive, White Truffle Oil) and the TIGER ROLL (Tempura Tiger Shrimp, Avocado, Cucumber, Kaiware, Spicy Aioli, Ponzu) rolls.

The Black & White roll was so unique. Magic Mushroom was – as always – delicious. There’s something about white truffle oil with mushrooms that turns into oral transcendence. And the Tiger Roll was just to the point good.

I had to stop myself from ordering just one more. I made myself ride the edge between fulfillment vs stuffed.

Over the course of multiple visits over the years, I’ve enjoyed some of the following outstanding rolls:

• DRACULA ROLL (Maguro, Bincho-Maguro, Blackened Ahi, Belgian Endive, Red Onion, Red Chile Sauce)
• ESKIMO ROLL (Fresh Salmon, Asparagus, Avocado, Red Onion, Spicy Aioli)
• RIGHT SAID EEL (Unagi, Avocado, Cucumber, Enoki, Anago Tsume)
• EEL GOES TO HOLLYWOOD (Anago, Snow Crab, Avocado, Cucumber, Masago, Anago Tsume)

All of my dinners at Arigato Sushi have been  simply delicious.

- -