Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Sacramento, California
Last Visit: July 2008
"...They make all kinds of crazy-looking rolls here, most of them we tasted are very good and they are like right out of some Japanese cartoon..."
OVERALL
I've been to Japan about six times now and I am VERY, VERY picky with Japanese food. I don't typically eat Japanese when I'm traveling at places without a good-size Asian community. While Sacramento is California and it had a thriving Japanese community, I had my doubts walking into a Japanese sushi bar here. It turned out that not only was Mikuni a very solid sushi bar, it's also a place where you can put your tastebud under scrutiny because of its fusion creations, leading to some unusual combinations and flavors, yet still retaining a good foundation of top quality ingredients and presentation.
This place is ALL about sushi - but it also has well-prepared Japanese cooked dishes. You can start with the basic sashimi, or an exotic whole hirame (maybe a cod or sole?) sashimi + fried bones. It looks impressive when it was served, but it tastes average. Hirame is never my favorite sashimi but I'd order this just because it's a great idea. We typically follow up with other sashimi either alone or on rolls.
And ROLLS, my friend, are the highlight of the meal. They make all kinds of crazy-looking rolls here, most of them we tasted are very good and they are like right out of some Japanese cartoon (i.e. really exaggerated). I don't even remember what is this thing on the picture 
to the left, but it's some kind of roll that is cut to pieces than fried again. One complaint I have is the amount mayonnaise-based sauce they pour on these rolls, but other than that the rolls are yummy, made with the basic Japanese-style attention to detail yet Californian ingenuity.
Some cooked dishes, like the fried flounder or agedashi (fried) tofu, are also worth trying. I can probably fry a fish better, but it's topped off with some salsa - almost taste mexican - and light sauce that makes it very delicious. Most of the dishes are small so if you have a big appetite like me, you'll end up getting roll after roll.
SERVICE
This is not a typical Japanese sushi bar with serious looking chefs and depressed female waitresses. Sushi chefs and waiters are a happy and hard-working bunch - it must be the good tips from the white young couples - and even the busboys are unusually efficient and courteous. Granted that the restaurant was packed the few times I went there, the staff was not panicking or in hot temper, but rather they deal with the stress by having a good time doing what they do. Pretty interesting model and maybe something for the Japanese to learn! They could, however, use a lesson on professional food serving skills though, as everyone takes things just a bit too casually and sometimes to the point of being sloppy.
AMBIENCE
I've only been to their Roseville location, and it's simply one cool place and basically a party restaurant. The people working here are actually pleasant, doing occasional shouts in real poor Japanese (well, you just can't make Mexicans speak good Japanese in a short time), and having a great time. Customers are predominantly the new Central Valley residents, including white yuppies, early retirees and some (not many) asians. Decoration is not their strength and they don't even try very hard, but the air is filled with joy and that makes food taste better. Did I just offend all those elegant French joints??
VALUE
Sushi bars are not typically known to have the best deal, so don't expect it here in Mikuni; nevertheless, if you are from the Bay Area and you don't eat all that much, you will be pleasantly surprised. A meal with some sashimi, sushi, a couple rolls and small dishes will set you back for $25 per head. Not cheap for the Central Valley, but is it unreasonable? Not for the quality. I would go back there when I visit Sacramento and price would not be an issue.
BOTTOMLINE
Some of us Asians MUST have certain type of Japanese food at a certain kind of setting, because we grew up eating the stuff that way. WELL, Mikuni will at first surprise and shock you, but you will quickly learn that you just relax, forget about the rule of simplicity in Japanese cuisine, and appreciate lots of sauce on your rolls. Then you will ask why your friends keep on bringing you to those boring chain restaurants that have taken over this city....
BTW
Do the prize spin - you might actually win something material. We won a small bag of Californian Japanese rice. OH, and don't bother showing up at 7pm because there'll be no room to wait inside and too hot outside. Yes, it is Sacramento after all!!
