888
This First Chew is coming alongside just a little later than common — 888 opened at 800 Clark Place again in September — however with the current sushi growth round city, my deliberate go to type of fell by way of the cracks of my calendar. Plus, 888 is deliberately just a little troublesome to seek out.
888 is positioned on the bottom degree of the JW Marriott downtown, however it’s not formally related to the resort. Relatively, 888 and JW Marriott are each related to Turnberry, the resort’s developer. My Uber driver didn’t consider me once I advised him to search for the crimson gentle over an unmarked door throughout from the doorway to Oak Steakhouse — however ultimately, we received to the right drop-off level. Not precisely a speakeasy scenario, 888 is certainly a spot that feels unique as quickly as you stroll by way of the door.
I used to be already conscious of the vinyl-listening-lounge factor of the restaurant/bar, with its assortment of greater than 2,000 albums and state-of-the-art sound system. However once I walked within the door and realized the DJ was spinning one among my favourite Tower of Energy LPs, I knew I used to be going to love this place! The wheels of metal spin behind an extended sushi bar with two proficient swordsmen working their knives to create nigiri, sashimi and maki rolls.
Along with the sushi bar, 888 can seat about 100 patrons in a wide range of lodging. A small space with just a few tables beneath enjoyable Surrealist-style paintings gives just a little privateness, as does the separate personal eating room. A mixture of cubicles and tables offers versatile choices for reservations, and walk-ups are welcome on the central bar space. One factor I observed and appreciated was the presence of a kitchen bar to offer service to the eating room in order that the mixologists on the bar might focus on the clientele sitting there for drinks and/or gentle bites.
The vibe is about by dramatic lighting over the sushi stage, with bulbs protruding from circles of stone that complement the pure wooden and jewel tones of the remainder of the decor. The DJs set the temper, however do not insert themselves into the expertise so you possibly can simply benefit from the move of the music, like at a Japanese kissa music-listening bar.
Our educated server walked us by way of the menu, which was fairly useful as a result of the choices are numerous. Along with an in depth choice of wine, beer and sakes, 888 boasts an elevated cocktail program — though my easy Japanese whiskey highball with simply sufficient fizz within the soda might need been the very best accompaniment for what I ordered.
The eating menu is split into shareables, uncooked bar, signature dishes and a separate record of choices from the sushi bar. Our server inspired us to place our entire order in so he might course the plates out as they got here prepared, a wise transfer since we might have lined the small desk with our selections.
As I used to be making my manner by way of our order, I began to consider how the meal jogged my memory of a typical Tower of Energy album. (I’m a longtime fan!) Whereas all their releases are noteworthy, there’s a sample to a TOP providing. There will certainly be some bangers, from an incomplete snippet of funk like “Oakland Stroke” to the punny “Diggin’ on James Brown” or absolutely the groove fest of “Right down to the Nightclub.” Some songs are loopy jazz like “Squibcakes,” and there’s all the time a languorous ballad like “Nonetheless a Younger Man” for these searching for a sluggish dance.
That is to say that not all people likes each music to the identical diploma, and the band tries to supply one thing for all kinds of listeners. I felt the identical manner about 888. The numerous menu was thoughtfully laid out to offer completely different experiences for various diners based mostly on their expectations of the night.
On the lookout for a fast chunk and a drink earlier than a present? Seize some uncooked or broiled oysters on the bar together with a cocktail or a sake with the salinity to match the bivalves. Need dinner and a present? Sit on the sushi bar and watch the itamae at work. In for the total expertise? Begin with an order of outrageous A5 beef tallow fries and a few triple-umami mushroom gyoza. Including scrumptious eel sauce to a dish that earthy and zesty — because of the addition of some yuzu — is simply dishonest!
We ordered a few rolls, appreciative of the truth that crunchy fried bits weren’t an ingredient on something on the record. A each day particular that includes each sea bream and goldeneye snapper was notably tasty, plus it was simply enjoyable to order the “Medai/Kinmedai.” We additionally appreciated the snack of tempura-fried nori with umami powder to snack on between programs.
For mains, I ordered the tempura soft-shell crab with udon as a result of I’m all the time a sucker for a softie. I used to be shocked to find the broth was flavored with good autumnal spices — a totally sudden alternative that labored properly with the wealthy crab. My eating companion’s miso black cod was additionally well-cooked, however not as thrilling as many of the remainder of the dishes we sampled. (There’s all the time a “So Very Exhausting to Go” on each TOP album, so I simply fast-forwarded that dish.)
By the point we had been able to depart, the DJ had ratcheted up the vitality within the eating room with a playlist that felt like a Wednesday evening Wooten Brothers set. Though we had been leaving simply because the celebration began, we had been already planning to come back again to 888 quickly for a drink and a few oysters, or possibly some pure wine and nigiri, or possibly the chef’s choice of sashimi on the sushi bar.
It’s nice to have selections, and 888 positively is aware of “What Is Hip” proper now in Nashville.
