29 Bollingbrook Street
Petersburg, VA 23803-4548
(804) 862-1365
In recent years Downtown Petersburg has become home to quite a few nice restaurants. One of the best of these has to be Wabi Sabi, Petersburg’s own sushi and tapas bar. Located right in the middle of downtown Wabi Sabi is always packed, filled with the most eclectic mix of people one can find, from hipsters eating crab dip to men in overalls and camouflage digging into sushi. The restaurant is a decent size when the down stairs area, which contains a bar and stage, is open but you may find yourself waiting for a seat if it is not. The place is tastefully decorated with very nice decorations for holidays and events. The best part is that it is not over the top Japanese themed just because it serves sushi. In fact I don’t think that a single Asian person even works there.
I really love sushi from Wabi Sabi, but sushi is a little price prohibitive so I do not eat there as often as I would like. When Amanda and I do decide to splurge when always begin with their crab dip served with fried pita. This is probably the best crab dip around. Full of crab but it does not taste like you licked a pier. The pita really adds a lot. Its crispiness goes well with the soft smoothness of the dip. I always order sushi at Wabi Sabi because it is a sushi bar and it tastes so freaking awesome. The first time I went I ordered off of the front of the menu and got your typical sushi; raw fish wrapped in rice and seaweed, but looked on with envy as other people were presented with the most beautiful decadent looking rolls I’ve ever seen. After inquiring with our waitress I found out that the specialty sushi is located on the back of the menu. These rolls range from sushi topped with steak to sushi filled with cream cheese and a variety of different fruits some are even tempura fried. These may sound weird but please trust me; these are some of the best things I have ever eaten. This last time I went I ordered my favorite, the surf and turf roll (8 pieces): lump crab meat, cream cheese, and tempura shrimp topped with thinly sliced steak, eel sauce, tempura crunchies, scallions and masago for $15.00. These are truly more than a meal they are a work of art, delicious and beautiful. Every part of the roll plays off of another dancing delicately over your tongue. The sweetness of the crab complements the seer on the steak and the smoothness of the cream cheese plays with the crunchiness of the tempura. The eel sauce gives it all a sweet flavor that is then counter balanced by the masago. I really wish that I could explain just how delicious it is, actually how delicious they are all.
For those who are not quite so adventurous, Wabi Sabi also serves a variety or other Asian and American dishes from low mein with your choice of meat to burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Amanda is not very hip on sushi so she usually sticks to these items. While she tells me that these are very good I strongly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and splitting a few specialty sushi rolls. Once you get over the fact that it contains raw fish (actually a lot have cooked fish) you will quickly fall in love with Wabi Sabi’s sushi’s tantalizing flavors and delicate textures; just make sure to steer clear of the wasabi and ginger.
I work at Wabi-Sabi as a server. I absolutely love reading about your experiance. The crab dip is amazing! We don't have any Asain people working there. However the sushi staff was trained by am amazing sushi artist and they also take it upon themselves to learn as much as they can about the art of rolling sushi. Next time you come in try our Tempura Spicy Tuna fat roll! It is heaven in your mouth!
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