New sushi lounge in Ocean Springs is a ‘cool place’ with complex rolls, cocktails
Spoonwater Sushi Ultralounge is as interesting a combination of ideas as you will find on the Coast.
It is a sushi restaurant, with Chef Dennis Nguyen, formally of Chef Scott’s, in the kitchen putting out some gorgeous sushi, but it’s more too.
It’s a well-appointed lounge, border line sports bar, with lots of TVs so you can watch the big game, live music and DJ’s, and a happy hour that begins at opening and ends only at 9 p.m.
Other than just being a cool name, Spoonwater doesn’t have any significance, but it is catchy. The lounge has purple walls and a black ceiling, and a silver and black bar. Tables and chairs that are kind of classy. The over all effect is just hip enough, subdued and welcoming.
The cocktail list that is on each table is well thought-out, and offers creatively names drinks, like Sunset Ocean Springs, made with rum, peach schnapps, orange juice and grenadine.
Other drinks include Watermelon on Ice, the Straight Curve and the Frisky Walter. Cool names for interesting drinks.
The menu is made up of sushi house rolls, traditional rolls, like the California, nigiri (translates as two fingers, raw fish and vinegared rice) and sashimi (raw fish but no rice), and hibachi and a few appetizers.
In that small plate category, the seaweed salad, bang bang shrimp and a sampler of little bit of everything looked interesting.
The Spoonwater roll is a good example of the interesting combinations that Chef Nguyen puts out. It features a crunchy middle with shrimp tempura, contrasted by cream cheese. It is topped with house-made krab topping, crawfish, jalapenos, kabayaki sauce, sweet chili sauce, spicy mayo and crunchies.
I tried the newest item on the menu, the Oceanus, made with shrimp tempura, cucumber, krabstick, and topped with krab topping, tobikko, eel sauce, spicy mayo, sweet chili, and crunchies.
I also had a go at the Brinkley. It’s a good combination of shrimp tempura, krab, cream cheese, cucumber on the inside, and layered with smoked salmon, avocado and albacore tuna and topped with sesame seeds, spicy mayo, eel sauce and sweet chili sauce. I also had a look at the chicken hibachi plate that came with fried rice.
Spoonwater is a comfortable place, with really good sushi, nigiri, sashimi and hibachi. Each plate is well-crafted, complex, with a wonderful sense of design.
General Manager Ashleigh Windecker told me that more changes are in the making, with booths being added for more comfortable seating.
Spoonwater is right in the middle of the downtown Ocean Springs strip, or entertainment district, and also features outside seating for people watching on that oh so busy street.
It is a cool place, with great food and friendly staff.
Spoonwater Sushi Ultralounge
Location: 1019 Government Avenue, Ocean Springs
Kitchen hours: closed Monday, 4-10 p.m. Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. til Sunday
Info: 228-215-3216