Pubbelly Sushi Menu

Pubbelly Sushi Restaurant Review:

Justifiably, the name of this trendy “SushiPub” may irritate sushi purists. The signature “sushi” makis (such as a Maryland soft-shell crab BLT with tartare sauce) have little to do with anything ever served in an Asian eatery of any sort, and “sashimi” plates are really marinated ceviches or tiraditos. But if you can suspend belief enough to define “sushi” as prepared items of numerous nations/regions enclosed in, or on top of, vinegared sushi rice, you’ll find some multicultural makis that work well. For example, the “Porkbelly & Clams” maki, with New England-style fried clams inside and Korean barbecue pork belly and kimchi on top; the slaw’s spicy crunch balances the unctuously rich pork. And while mixing pork and clams isn’t familiar to most Americans, many traditional Spanish and Portuguese dishes celebrate the combo as classic. Similarly, a rice paper-wrapped snow crab maki stuffed with warm crab, tangy ponzu and clarified butter may elicit an initial reaction of, “Why?” But once taste memories recall the familiar American mingling of steamed shellfish, melted butter and lemon… Well, why not? There are also items where balance is off (like a shrimp/fluke maki with a mustard sauce so biting it obliterates the delicate fish), and additionally, the chef has an unfortunate penchant for truffle oil. There’s also a list of pristine plain raw fish, served as sushi or sashimi, and at least half the menu is devoted to izakaya-style grilled items and small plates. Wines are few, but expect a first-rate selection of sakés and hard-to-find Asian beers.