Sushi counter, Santa Barbara

Ten seats.
One chef.
Today's ocean.

An eighteen-course omakase built around Santa Barbara uni, rockfish from the harbor and rice seasoned with aged red vinegar.

Reserve a seat See the courses
3 seats left for Friday, 8:30
海岸, 鮨
Chu-toro, kinmedai, hamachiPressed by hand, served one at a time.
The omakase

Eighteen courses, about two hours.

The menu changes with the boats. This was Tuesday's. Allergies and no-raw guests are welcome with a day's notice.

  1. 01
    ChawanmushiSilken egg custard, dashi, Santa Barbara spot prawn
  2. 02
    Sashimi of rockfishHarbor vermilion rockfish, yuzu kosho, sudachi
  3. 03
    Hamachi nigiriLightly cured, a brush of nikiri soy
  4. 04
    Chu-toroMedium-fat bluefin, aged five days
  5. 05
    Kinmedai, searedGolden-eye snapper, skin kissed with binchotan
  6. 06
    Santa Barbara uniTwo tongues of sea urchin on warm rice, nothing else
  7. …
    Twelve more, then tamagoThe last bite is our sweet, custardy egg omelet
$165 per guest, before tax & tip
Book the counter
The counter

Hinoki wood,
cut in Kyoto.

Every piece is handed to you across one long cypress board. Eat it with your fingers within ten seconds. That's when it's best.

Nigiri, tamago and maki on a pale ceramic plate A lacquered tray of nigiri and maki Thick slices of salmon sashimi with lemon
"Eat it in one bite. Fish side down on your tongue."— house rule no. 1
Five pieces of nigiri on a ceramic plate
The chef
"I buy what the harbor gives me at six in the morning. Then I decide what you'll eat."

Ren Takeda — 22 years behind the knife, 9 of them in Tokyo's Tsukiji district.

Two seatings

6:00 and 8:30, Wednesday through Sunday. We start together.

No perfume

Strong scents cover the fish. Thank you for leaving it at home.

Sake pairing

Five pours, $70, chosen by our sake sommelier, Aiko.

Reserve

This week at the counter

Thursday
6:00, 8:30
2 seats left at 8:30
Friday
6:00, 8:30
6:00 full3 seats at 8:30
Saturday
6:00, 8:30
Waitlist open
Choose your seat (805) 555-0162

Seatings

Wed – Sun6:00 & 8:30 pm
Mon – TueClosed
Private counterUp to 10 guests

Find us

118 East Yanonali Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Two blocks from Stearns Wharf