Awesome sushi in Knoxville TN (I know that sounds crazy)

[Pat S]

My wife and I just ate dinner at Nama in Knoxville TN. Over the past few years we have really started to enjoy sushi and generally eat it at least 4-5 times a month. We have eaten it in many towns and cities across the US (except for on the west coast, we don't travel there much)
Our meal tonight was hands down the best sushi we have ever had and is in the top three or four meals of our lives. (The Eiffel Tower Restaurant in Las Vegas and Pitahayas in Cabo are others on the top of our list)

Nama ( http://www.namasushibar.com/ ) is a really small place in the downtown area. I'd call it a fusion or west coast style and not traditional Japanese. We arrived at 6:30 without reservations and were told it would be a 2 - 2 1/2 hour wait. They offered that we could go upstairs for beverages and appetizers while we waited. We ordered the Ahi Poki which had slices of tuna covered in a variety of seaweed, masago, green onion and other delicious items. It was fantastic, the seaweed was so fresh and full of flavor. Unlike anything I have had before.

After only about 45 minutes, two seats opened up at the sushi bar and we were offered them.
Our waiter was great and informed us of some specialty fish they had tonight including triggerfish, pompono and more. We ordered the $50 chef special and asked for them to include some of the more unique and fresh items. (you can order plates in $25 increments)
J. Cooney is the executive sushi chef and he prepared our platter of a considerable amount of sashimi, nigiri and two specialty rolls. I didn't have my camera but you can see examples of his artistic touches at his site.

All of it was fantastic. The yellowtail sashimi was hands down the best we have ever had. Incredibly fresh and melted in our mouths. Everything on the plate was remarkable and the flavors were fantastic.
The food here is easily worth two or three times the bill and is well worth any wait for a table.

You west coast guys may be used to this kind of meal but to find it in Knoxville was a complete surprise.

Pat

[azasadny]

Nashville has a fantastic sushi bar just across the street from the Wild Horse Saloon called "Ichiban", it's unbelievably good!

[dtw]

Knoxville is an OK little town, and I swear I've heard of that restaurant before. I've had to do business in Maryville (gee, guess what company I was working with, you locals), now that was a bit depressing. Knoxville though? Liked it! Memphis was good times too, spent a couple weeks there on business. Loved it. I'll have to check out that restaurant's site. Thanks for the tip!

[Normy]

Knoxville isn't part of Tennessee. I work in Memphis, and trust me- this place and the rest of Tennessee with the possible exception of Nashville is basically nothing.

I've had sushi, but I shy away from the fish-based rolls usually. I don't mind the rolls with tuna, but other than that they taste too strongly of fish for me.

Sushi bars are more about socializing than eating anyway-

N

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by Normy

Sushi bars are more about socializing than eating anyway-

N

Eh, what?

I tend to eat there.

[Mule]

Actually Knoxville has some surprisingly good food. I would recomened Chesapeake's highly, the Copper Kettle has very good steaks as does the old railroad station (name escapes me). Knoxville is one of my more favorite cities.

[TerryH]

I love to eat fish, but won't eat the bait.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by TerryH

I love to eat fish, but won't eat the bait.

Good, more for me!

I go out for sushi about once a week (another S. Cal. perk) and while it may be fun to socialize I definitely go for the food.

I travel all over the states and have found good sushi almost everywhere.

Oddly being a native Californian I prefer traditional Japanese style sushi to fusion or Cali style... go figure.