(image courtesy of Jupiter)

There are only a few Sushi restaurants in Ocala. We have been to Tony’s Sushi, which is nice – good food, beautiful ambience and inventive salads (one I remember specifically was a conch salad in rice vinegar). But I hate to go to the same place twice, especially if there is a restaurant of the same cuisine in the area that I have not tried yet.

I heard about Aki Sushi because they sent a menu out to businesses downtown, and it just so happened that I saw it in the pile of mail that was received at the new Genesis Heaven and Health Juice Bar and Cafe (that will be opening SOON!).

So to Aki we went. I really wish we had brought our camera with us, but it was date night and we weren’t “working”. Aki Sushi in Ocala has a wonderful, intimate ambience. There are about 10 tables set up inside and they have 2 small bistro tables outside. There was only one other couple in there (it was after 8 PM on a Wednesday) so the staff really went out of their way to be helpful and make suggestions. We were feeling adventurous so we decided to try a few things that were new to both of us. When I go for Japanese, I usually stick to the sushi – mostly because I swear I am addicted to the stuff! Sometimes I’ll get a tempura just to shake things up a bit, but I know there are a vast array of tantalizing dishes and flavors on a Japanese restaurant menu but I rarely eat outside the Bento Box. So we decided to try the Beef Negamaki. Thin slices of beef wrapped around slices of scallion, grilled and topped with a thick brown sauce. It was wonderful! There were only 6 bites of it on the appetizer plate, but it was a nice little treat.

In that moment I realized why I love Japanese food as much as I do – because like the Mediterranean tradition of Mezze, Tapas, and Antipasti, it is filled with pages of selections of small bites.

The Seaweed Salad at Aki was delicious and generous. It was more than enough for two to share. Then we got some Sushi. Now Sushi eating is always a challenge, because Roberto is allergic to both Salmon and Tuna – two of the main staples. I love Salmon raw. There is just nothing that compares. So I often go ahead and get a few pieces of salmon sashimi just to make me happy. Roberto loves mackerel so he went for a few pieces of that. Then we wanted to try Aki’s Godzilla Roll, however it has Spicy Tuna, so our waitress suggested substituting Spicy Yellowtail instead. It was perfect. It really was. Spicy Yellowtail, crunchies, avocado and both Orange and Black Tobiko (fish eggs) on top. Delicious!

When we were finished stuffing our faces, our waitress brought is some Tempura fried Red Bean Ice cream for dessert – on the house. Which was a very nice touch and very kind of her. Definitely won them so more points!

So next time you are looking for a place with a nice ambience, very very helpful and friendly wait staff and creative maki rolls, try Aki Sushi!

303 SE 17th Street, Suite #306
(Next to Publix in the Churchill Square shopping center)
Ocala, FL 34471
352.369.3388