Izakaya Sakura



Salmon nigiri.



Agedashi mochi -- so delicious!!!

Chicken karaage, with many dipping options.

Omlet & rice, or "Omrice."

Yakisoba is a bit greasy.

FIRST VISIT

Rating: Two thumbs up! 
Date: 7/3/11

Time in: 7:09 PM

Time out: 8:30 PM

Servers' recommendations: Omlet & rice [sic], spicy fish salad
What we ordered: Omlet & rice, chicken karaage, agedashi mochi, salmon nigiri, yakisoba 

Number in our party: 2 
Final check amount: $37.18
Price per person: $18.59Notes: 

• This restaurant doesn't have a sign.  Not even in Japanese.  That is totally badass.
• The agedashi mochi is SO delicious.  We could eat this every day and dream about it in between.  In fact, this makes Sakura a kind of one-dish wonder.  We like their other food too, but the agedashi mochi is what makes it a gold star and keeps us coming back.
• The salmon sushi is adequate.  After Sushi Dokoro Shirahama, we are ruined.
• The Omrice is good for someone who grew up eating it and needed comfort food, but for everyone else, it might just be weird.  The miso soup that came with it was yummy though -- good tofu with perfectly seasoned broth.
• The chicken karaage is awesome.  It's crispy but not too greasy.
• The yakisoba is too oily, and Jenne wants more cabbage in it.
• The service is slow, so don't come here when you're not a tight schedule.

SECOND VISIT

Rating: Two thumbs up!
Date: 7/3/11

Time in: 7:06 PM

Time out: 8:45 PM

What we ordered: Uni pasta, agedashi mochi, salmon onigiri, chicken karaage, albacore tataki, nikomi hamburg, tebashio, black sesame ice cream, green tea

Number in our party: 5
Final check amount: $71.28
Price per person: $14.26

Notes: 

• Our official Convoy Conquest visit (above) was probably the worst meal Jenne and I have ever had at Sakura.  We felt we should do an official revisit so readers might know why we like this place.  For photos, please see our Convoy Day post.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION

Address: 3904 Convoy St, Ste 121
Phone number: 858.569.6151
Website: http://izakayasakura.menutoeat.com/
Accepts credit cards? Yes
Parking: Private plaza with plenty of parking
Ideal group size: 2-8
Available vegetarian options: Plum onigiri, edamame, baked mushroom? eggplant gratin?

Noise level: 2
Who not to bring: Vegetarians (almost everything is cooked with bonito broth)