Previous Bison Bites have focused on a quick meal before practice. This time we decided to focus on a more formal dining spot.

If you’re looking for a place with fresh and tasty sushi, Pacific East Sushi Bar at Eton Place is the perfect spot. 

From the many options on the menu, Ethan ordered the two-roll combo with tuna and Philadelphia rolls. The combo came with either a soup and salad or two soups instead of the salad.

The miso soup came out first.  It was delicious, hot and nicely balanced with a sweet and salty taste. The flavors were robust, with just enough tofu and seaweed in each spoonful to satisfy. It’s hard to find miso soup that doesn’t feel like an afterthought, but Pacific East gets it just right.

Shortly after we finished our soups, the sushi came out plated very precisely. The tuna roll was impressive. The chefs used high-quality, fresh tuna that melts in your mouth. The tuna had a slightly sweet and savory flavor, and when you pair it with soy sauce, it’s even better.

The Philadelphia roll is equally impressive. This sushi roll is made with smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber, wrapped in seaweed and rice. The combination of flavors is unique and delicious. The smoked salmon brings a slightly salty and smoky taste, while the cream cheese adds a creamy texture along with the fresh and crunchy cucumbers. 

The salmon and cream cheese combination may be a good choice for someone who might not want to eat raw fish. The salmon is cooked thoroughly and provides the authentic feel of sushi without the raw element, making it an excellent introduction for beginners. 

We can’t move on without talking about the yellowtail sushi rolls. They were delicious and fresh, with a buttery texture and clean taste that Jaycob couldn’t get enough of. However, he noticed that a few pieces were slightly different in texture. It seemed like this was due to the specific cut of the fish rather than its quality. These inconsistencies didn’t detract too much from the overall experience. Even so, the flavor was excellent and paired wonderfully with their fresh ginger.

Speaking of ginger, Pacific East deserves a shoutout for its quality selection. The pickled ginger at sushi restaurants usually tastes overly-processed and lacks freshness, but that’s not the case here. It was vibrant and had just enough zing to cleanse the palate between bites. Jaycob appreciated how it enhanced the entire meal, especially with a little soy sauce.

Not only was the food good, but so was the service. As soon as we walked through the door, we were seated and served right away. 

It’s easy to notice how the chefs take pride in their work, particularly with the plating of the dishes. You can also watch them make your meal at the sushi bar, displaying how they handle each individual meal with care.

Even if you don’t like sushi, they have a variety of options to please anyone going there. The atmosphere is excellent; it is very inviting for you to come back and get more, especially when you are just about to leave. Someone is always waiting at the door to wish you a good night. 

Pacific East’s food, service, and ambiance make it a standout dining experience. The finely- balanced miso soup, with its comforting warmth, the perfect pairing of flavors in the Philadelphia rolls, the delicious yellowtail sushi rolls, and the fresh ginger all combined to make a wonderful dining experience. Pacific East is a place we will both be visiting again.