No one likes to eat alone. Everyone has witnessed that one pretentious asshole sitting at a café reading Kafka or Hemingway, sipping on his cappuccino, as if to let the whole world know that he is some pseudo-intellectual that doesn’t mind dining with his own amazing self-righteous company. But, the sushi bar saves those who are trying to grab a bite to eat during their one hour of tranquility from the work force and grants them a break from looking like a total douchebag.
Naturally, being from LA when I would frequent my usual sushi spot, there would be that yuppie prick jabbering away on his Blackberry about some “industry” crap. But, in Bangkok, for whatever rhyme or reason, people refrain from gabbing into their cellular devices at Isao.
Having only been in Bangkok for six weeks, I was quite anxious, about where I would be able to find good sushi. I am a sashimi snob to say the least. Supermarket sushi has never been an option nor has blowing ridiculous sums of money at bourgeois places that have models in training as hostesses and an ambiance that makes people inclined to get to second base under the table. I am not for showy sushi bars, I avoid them just like I refuse to stand in line for any passé club or ride at Disneyland. I pretend I have asthma and get the cripple’s pass.
Then, a colleague was kind enough to take me to her favorite sushi spot. Raving about how amazing and fantastic the sushi and rolls were, I was curious to see if it met my connoisseur standards. And it did and then some.
Located on Sukhumvit 31, Isao is the perfect combination of delicious and affordable. Its ambiance is simple and unassuming and I feel free to stuff my face with all of their delectable lunch specials for fewer than 300 baht. It has become such an addiction that the waitress knows my order off the bat. Having been training my spice tolerance for quite sometime, she knows I like my spicy tuna salad non-spicy and that if the hamachi (yellowtail) is in stock I will have that and if not, the salmon.
This simple duplex of a restaurant is always packed with locals as opposed to obnoxious homesick farangs such as myself. Sure, there is the occasional obese couple entrenched with fanny packs and Nikons slung around their necks in the corner, but if that won’t ruin your appetite I would highly recommend the Sushi Sandwich or Crunchy roll. Both are quite savory and filling and puts in perspective why you would even waste your time at some darkened, moody and overall gaudy establishment.
Sure, there isn’t house music blasting and the décor is modest, but the I swear, the fish is fresh, the staff is friendly, and above all, I know that I can indulge shamelessly minus a novel in hand from the lost generation and have my self-esteem still intact.
