Chris Reynolds
Valentine’s Day can be terrible when the only person you get a card from is your mom; but thankfully, Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year. Why is Tuesday so special? Is it the fact that Tuesday is the day with the less feeling out of the seven? Or is it because Scrubs airs on Tuesday and that is such a great show?
The answer is actually none of the above. Tuesday is such a great day because Sushi Blues Cafe on Glenwood Avenue hosts one of the greatest bar/restaurant specials in all of Raleigh — half-price sushi night (half-price sushi is also available Thursday nights).
Oh yes, those delectable rolls that are typically out of reach for the college student scraping pennies together to buy lunch are affordable Tuesday night.
Get all the eel, tuna, crab and other delicious treats directly from the sea served to you in an atmosphere that is both cool and relaxing at the same time. Although the menu boasts some odd things that may not sound too great, most are good. The “B.B. King Roll” (Alaskan king crab leg, avocado, cucumber and roe) and the Kimchee Roll are two rolls that stand out even among other sushi restaurants in the area. However, stay away from anything with “dynamite” in the description — kind of like chicken salad on top of sushi.
Open since 1999, Sushi Blues mixes both a casual dining experience with the intimacy of a lounge/bar. Cool jazz and house music lends the bar a feeling that is unique to the typical Raleigh bar filled with TRL-style hits and country music.
Sushi Blues is the place to be every Tuesday night, but especially this Tuesday night as lovebirds will be kissing under dim lighting in restaurants around Raleigh. Plan a night with the girls or guys to check out a place typically teeming with an eclectic mix of people all looking to have a good time.
Since Sushi Blues is also a restaurant, an ID isn’t necessary to enjoy the sushi — but don’t get the wrong idea and think they are soft on serving alcohol to minors — they are not.
For those who are over 21, the bar offers drinks that are unique to this blend of Japanese and American style. Above all else, the sake offered is both refreshing and strong enough to make you realize, “Yes, you are drinking sake” — a drink rivaling tequila in reputation. They offer both hot and cold sake, but the hot is preferred for the full experience of drinking out of its ceramic decanter and cup.
Sushi Blues also boasts an extensive wine list featuring many varietals at their best. The Renwood Zinfandel and Wishing Tree Shiraz are two modestly priced wines featured on its wine list.
The spirits prepared by the bartenders clad in black are not what at many of the bars along Glenwood typically offer. Try the mojito (a Cuban drink with rum, mint, lime, soda and simple syrup) to discover why this bar stands out.
The only drawbacks to Sushi Blues are its small bathrooms and limited space, which fills early on Tuesday and Thursday nights because of the great sushi special. Half-priced sushi starts at 10 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m., but arrive early because it is possible to wait for hours to get a table and food. Also, if you are going to drink, remember not to break the seal too early because Sushi Blues offers only two single bathrooms — one for each sex and lines do form.
This year, make Valentine’s Day a day to hang out with your friends and invite them to Sushi Blues Cafe to have a good time celebrating being single — because after all, we’re still in college.