The Sushi Experience

For the past couple of months, Mike and I have been going to O-ku for happy hour because all of their rolls are half off and you know how we Monsters love a good deal.

They also have Hendrick's Gin martinis and their cocktails are $3 off (I think happy hour runs from 5-7). Hendrick's Gin is the only type of Gin that I will actually drink straight. All you need is a cucumber slice on the side of your glass and you are golden (Thank you to Mike for introducing me to this drink...or should I thank the bartender who introduced HIM to the drink in Scotland, let's go with the bartender).

It is a dangerously smooth drink, so be CAREFUL because you will get drunk FAST.

Anyway, sorry for the tangent there, back to sushi. I would say our favorites are the Firecracker roll, Avocado wrapped roll, Tuna Tataki roll, and the Filet Mignon Tataki Roll. They also have this potato wrapped roll which is a shrimp tempura, avocado roll wrapped in shoe-string potatoes and deep fried. It is insanely delicious, but it gets to be a little much with all of the fried potatoes around it, definitely one you want to share with someone else. So in the end, O-ku is what I would call the "City Mouse" of the sushi world...very "swanky".

On the other end of the spectrum is The Oriental Garden in Mt. P. ...this is the "Country Mouse" of sushi. It is this little hole in the wall place off of Coleman Boulevard that, from what I have heard, used to be a Hardees. When we walked in, the place was completely packed out. We seated ourselves in the 1970's booth and reviewed the laminated menu layered under the glass table top. The waitress later came out with the full menu and we ordered two house salads with ginger dressing, 3 orders of Nigiri, 1 spicy tuna roll, and 1 shrimp and avocado roll...we walked out of there spending only 29 bucks!!!

I am sorry O-ku, but your fancy shmancy ways are low priority on our list... I think Mike and I have found our new hot spot to get our sushi fix. The Charleston population was correct, The Oriental Garden is by far the best sushi we have had in town. The rolls were so big, I could hardly pick the pieces up with my chopsticks...or maybe that is just because I suck at using chopsticks.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is if you want the "City Mouse", night on the town, where you get dressed up and look at hot waitresses all night, then go to O-ku. If you want the authentic "Country Mouse" sushi experience where you get more bang for your buck, then go to The Oriental Garden...NOW!