(Last UPDATED 11/07/19) What had been Lou’s Sushi in Midtown Sacramento is now called Midtown Sushi after the departure of Lou Valente. Lou has opened a new restaurant on Del Paso Blvd. named Southpaw Sushi.
Original Post
Description and review of Lou’s Sushi, a Japanese-fusion restaurant located in Midtown Sacramento at P and 28th Streets.
Lou’s Sushi had been on the list of restaurants that I wanted to check out for some time, and I recently had the opportunity to dine at Lou’s. It was a Saturday so my dining companion and I planned to arrive by 5:30 p.m. at the latest. It was a very hot day and all the tables on the outside patio were full – so we thought we might have to wait.
As we entered Lou’s the sushi chefs working behind the small sushi bar greeted us. As luck would have it there was one table available and we were immediately seated. I had not realized just how small the restaurant is. There are just six tables inside in addition to the seating at the sushi bar.
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There were several chairs set up near the front door and none of them were occupied – so if we did have to wait we could have waited in air-conditioned comfort.
It was still Happy Hour (daily from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and all day Tuesday and Sunday) so we each ordered a beer ($4) and looked over the Happy Hour menu as well as the regular menu. We settled on the seafood nachos ($13), California roll ($5), and the vegetable tempura ($6) to start. My dining companion also ordered Yellow Tail Hamachi ($7).
One of chef-owner Lou Valente’s signature dishes is his seafood nachos – fried won ton chips are topped with avocado and a mixture of (chef’s choice) seafood which has been tossed with a spicy sauce, and finished with off with toppings that include green onions and sesame seeds.
I enjoyed the nachos – but was taken aback at first by the “heat”. As anyone who knows me well will tell you – I am a wimp when it comes to spicy hot food. Afterwards I checked the online menu – and sure enough the dish is clearly labeled with a picture of a “hot” pepper.
Both the California roll and vegetable tempura were on the happy hour menu. We soon discovered that the only difference between the regular menu and happy hour menu was price. We had originally thought that we might potentially order an additional item but as it turned out I took leftovers home.
I particularly enjoyed the vegetable tempura. It was done just right and it had a very nice assortment of veggies. The presentation of all the dishes was very appealing.
I am looking forward to returning to Lou’s in the future to try other items on the menu. There are a number of other “special” dishes that caught my eye including the fried Brussels Sprouts and the broiled mussels.
See related blog posts: Walk Down Memory Lane and 21 Sacramento Restaurants Reviewed!
Comments on Lou’s Sushi?
If you have patronized or are a regular at Lou’s Sushi – what would you recommend I try next?
UPDATES
(11/7/19) Lou Valente opened his highly anticipated new restaurant Southpaw Sushi in August. The refurbished restaurant is located in the space once occupied by Mama Kim Eats. I am looking forward to dining at Southpaw Sushi – and writing a review! Keep a lookout!
(9/16/19 Broken link removed.
(3/27/19) The Sacramento Bee reported today that Lou Valente plans to open a new restaurant – Southpaw Sushi – in the near future. The restaurant will be located at 1616 Del Paso Blvd. in North Sacramento. Stay tuned!
(8/4/17) It has been reported that Lou is currently working the night shift from Thursday to Sunday at Shige Sushi (5938 Madison Avenue in Carmichael) where his loyal clientele often pops in to enjoy his handiwork.
(4/29/17) The Sacramento Bee reported yesterday that due to a business dispute Lou is no longer working at Lou’s Sushi. Both Valente and his business partner have filed lawsuits which are set for case management conferences in October.
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By your recommendation, I will try this restaurant in the near future.
Let me know how you like it!