Just opened by two Portlanders with nearly 40yrs of Asian-resto experience (they make their own soy sauce to prove it!), Samurai is Portland's newest Japanese cuisine dream, in which you’ll enjoy fusion-y fish tapas influenced by countries ranging from Spain to Korea in an understated candlelit dining room and sushi bar beneath a massive mural of a “Great Wave”, although to be fair, the Queen does have a ton of practice. Some small-plate goodness:
Cool Dishes: Samurai comes out swinging with awesome non-sushi raw action, where tuna w/ goat cheese & Fuji apple share billing with their take on classic Mexican ceviche that adds a touch of ponzu, cilantro & jalapeno to a cherry tomato wedge-studded tower of salmon and striped bass, although you know Lance is way too stylish for them to be horizontal. #FauxPas
Hot Dishes: More killer cuts come from Samurai's warm side, where you'll find goods like wildly flaky miso-marinated black cod topped w/ crispy shaved radish, alongside sweet potato & seared pork belly that's been slow-cooked for 14hrs, or about the time it takes to have a bathroom quickie with Sting.
Sushi:Starting with a base of top-quality Nishiki rice, Samurai's rolls get a little loose with options like the Mt. Hood, which cranks up the ho-hum California by topping it w/ scallop, tobiko, crispy fried shallots & creamy leek sauce, or the Chance of Rain w/ salmon, cream cheese, avo, sun-dried toms, and a balsamic teriyaki sauce, which is sold for half price when it's raining outside, meaning it'll basically always be $4.
