Skool Japanese Gastropub – Sacramento Restaurants

(UPDATED 3/26/19) Description and review of the reinvented Skool Japanese Gastropub (formerly Skool Fish House) featuring new menus, new hours and new prices. See related post:  Skool Fish House – Sacramento Restaurants

My daughter and I had set aside a Tuesday evening to go out to dinner while she was visiting over the Christmas holiday.  It was a difficult decision, but in the end we decided to have dinner at Skool Japanese Gastropub – both because she loves Japanese food and because of its close proximity to Cantina Alley and Flamingo House.  Our plan was to park on K Street and then stroll over to Cantina Alley and then Flamingo House for beverages prior to dinner.

See related posts:  Midtown’s Cantina Alley – Sacramento Restaurants and Flamingo House – Sacramento Restaurants 

SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)

I had noticed ads touting “The New Skool”, so I was interested in checking it out. The reinvention of Skool includes a minor makeover of the interior decor – but the menu is now more Japanese as opposed to Japanese-fusion.

We each ordered a drink (on Tuesday’s Detention Hall i.e. Happy Hour is all evening until closing) and looked over the menu.  We decided to share several dishes – except one – as I am not particularly fond of raw fish.

Review

Our first course was the ‘Hakusai’ Napa Cabbage Salad (tomato, carrot, Japanese cucumber, cilantro, radishes, creamy sesame dressing) ($10).  We both agreed that it was “just ok” and not something we would order again.

For our shared main course we ordered the Saikyo Miso Butterfish (miso marinated escolar, seasonal greens) ($15) and the Japanese Karaage Chicken (with pickled Serrano) ($9).  My daughter explained to me that Karaage Chicken is the Japanese version of fried chicken.

Both the Saikyo Miso Butterfish and the Japanese Karaage Chicken were identified on the menu as a “Signature Dish”.

The Saikyo Miso Butterfish was delicious – and I found myself wishing that the small portion was larger.  The Karaage Chicken was crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside – but we both commented on how salty the chicken was.

To end her meal, my daughter had ordered the Salmon ‘Namero’ Mini-Donburi (Japanese Style Salmon TarTar, Yuzu mustard, green onion, free range organic egg yolk) ($16).  She gave the Salmon TarTar a thumbs up and ate every bite with enjoyment.

The presentation of the food at Skool Japanese Gastropub is very appealing, as is the casual atmosphere of the restaurant.  It was not crowded the evening we were there – which was a good thing as there was only one server.  Our server was very pleasant – and we were in no hurry – so the pace of service was not an issue for us.  My overall take on the “new” Skool?  I like it, and I am likely to return, but I do find it a bit pricey.

See related blog posts:  Walk Down Memory Lane and  Annual Sacramento Restaurant Review Recap (2018)

Updates

(3/26/19)  Skool Japanese Gastropub closed its doors on March 24th.  Located as it was in the midst of numerous competing bars and restaurants, Skool apparently struggled to attract enough traffic to remain viable.

Comments on Skool Japanese Gastropub?

Have you been to Skool since the menu makeover?  What has been your experience?  What dish or dishes do you recommend?

Subscribe to SacramentoRevealed.com to receive the weekly (with an occasional hiatus) newsletter direct to your inbox!  Comments are welcome.