Ichiban Restaurant Review
Mesa Shops
1812 Cliff Dr. (Meigs Rd.) 
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Santa Barbara, CA 93109
805-564-7653 | Menu
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Cuisine
Open
Lunch Mon.-Sat., Dinner nightlyFeatures
- Heart-healthy dishes
- Kid-friendly
- Parking lot
- Casual
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| Ichiban offers an authentic Japanese dining experience, and regulars like its low-key, unpretentious atmosphere. We often go for the tatami seating option, where shoes come off and you slide across plush straw mats around a lowered table. The sushi bar features daily specials driven by the fresh catch that comes into the store every day, including some off-the-beaten-current options. We often see Japanese scallops on the menu, served with a light citrus sauce. And we like the monkfish liver, which is very soft and mild. We always find the uni, or sea urchin, to be plump and fresh. The box sushi is a house specialty that is not usually on the menu, so ask for it by name; it's a rectangle-shaped roll featuring layers of seared ahi, spicy crab, rice and spices. Couples might want to ask for the Sailor Boat, perfect for sharing: more than 16 rolls of sushi, including spicy tuna and California roll made with real crab, as well as fried gyoza, vegetable tempura, teriyaki chicken, and a selection of salads and fruit. If you're really hungry, the Fisherman Boat is even bigger. Ichiban offers a modest wine list and several imported beers, but it's best known for its comprehensive selection of sakés. |
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