The carefully rolled nature of sushi makes it ideal for starting snowballs, which is why it's commonly known as "snowman heart." Eat to the center of snow with today's Groupon: for $17, you get $35 worth of sushi and more at Sushi Rock Grill in St. Petersburg.
Named one of the city’s best family-friendly restaurants, Sushi Rock Grill specializes in Pan-Asian entrees and creative sushi rolls made from fresh, premium seafood. Bypass cross-planetary hole digs and emerge onto the flavorful Silk Road with the expansive dinner menu featuring pad thai with chicken ($14), Japanese-inspired teriyaki filet mignon ($19), or saigon noodles, a shrimp-studded pile of vermicelli rice noodles, fresh herbs, and peanuts covered in a spicy french-vietnamese sauce ($16). The sushi menu offers creative starters, such as a spicy tuna martini, a mixture of spicy tuna, daikon radish, avocado, and ponzu sauce shaken, not stirred, in honor of legendary man of mystery Barry Bonds ($11.95). Placate palates with one of the restaurant’s innovative sushi rolls, such as the Tampa, a tubular testament to lightly battered grouper, mayo, and white onion ($7.95), or the Eskimo, fresh salmon and cream cheese wrapped in snapper, baked, and served with teriyaki after the waiter rubs noses with the chef ($9.95).
Seek liquid refuge in the bubble-brimming drink menu with a sip of sake ($6–$12) or a sweet glass of plum wine ($6). With outdoor and indoor seating options, diners can drink in some sun or bat at passing ankles from underneath a shadowy table in between courses.
Reviews
Sushi Rock Grill won a Tampa City’s Best award for Best Family-Friendly Restaurant in 2010. Seven Yelpers give it an average of 3.5 stars, TripAdvisors give it an average of 3.5owl eyes, and 77% of Urbanspooners like it.
- The sushi is excellent and the variety of Asian dishes are fantastic as well! – David G.,Yelp, 02/08/10
- Always satisfied, never disappointed and always ready to go back – isthisjohn, Urbanspoon
Art of Sushi
There are two menus at Art of Sushi: one for Japanese entrees, and one for sushi. That doesn't mean that the kitchen and the sushi chefs can't collaborate, however. During dinner, they join forces to create bento boxes lined with crispy tempura, gyoza, and California rolls. The King Lobster maki roll, by the same token, pairs lobster tempura rolls with half of a fried lobster tail.
If you'd rather stick to one style, then peruse ginger stir-fries, noodle soups, and meats flavored with homemade teriyaki sauce. Alternatively, the sushi side features both raw and cooked seafood, balanced atop pads of rice without a single safety harness. Pair meals with glasses or bottles from the wine list, which also features sake options, plum wine, and imported Japanese beers.