Sushi is no longer the culinary adventure it once was—the Japanese delicacy is now available in supermarkets nationwide (and at more than a few specialty restaurants in Toledo). That said, there is still sushi excitement to be had at Domo Sushi.
Domo first opened in late 2006 in Toledo on Reynolds Rd. just south of Dorr, and happily served a mix of spicy Asian dishes and artfully arranged raw fish until 2010, when chef John Kim took his cooking skills to Atlanta, GA. Domo, however, is now back in business. “We came back to Toledo because we had a supportive, regular crowd. It was good to see their smiling faces,” says Kim. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Kim lived in Toledo for twenty years before heading to Atlanta. Why did the chef return to the 419? “The people of Toledo are willing to try different types of food and they’re eager to experiment.”
Any Toledoans looking for an adventurous seafood evening out should give Domo a try. For starters, the new Domo looks beautiful, a picture of modern east-coast design, the same urbanite style the restaurant sported at Levis Commons—the wine racks and floor tiles echo one another’s crisp black lines, creating a classy gem tucked away in Somerset Plaza at the corner of McCord and Central.
When we stopped in, the sake was hot, the service was fast, and the seafood took us by surprise.
Regulars will find Domo’s menu to be a classic lineup—with Kim’s additions of a few multicultural twists, such as the Picante Tuna Ceviche, topped with black caviar and eaten with tortilla chips–a marriage of spicy Mexican foods mixed with the light texture of East Asian cuisine.
But the added offerings are not all experimental fusions. The traditional Calamari Tempura came out piping hot and not-too-crispy, with a sweet tempura glaze. Even with the new location and menu expansion, Domo’s main attraction remains the sushi.
When it comes to rolls, Domo embraces seafood enthusiasts who are willing to adventure beyond Americanized sushi standards. Domo offers more exotic rolls, like the creamy-with-a-kick burst of flavor Hot & Sexy Roll.
Kim has been serving these hot and hearty rolls for years, but says his classic sushi rolls come with a more refined twist. “We’ve been working a lot on presentation and flavor […] we used to be limited in what we could do, but over the past two year’s we’ve been refining the flavors.” His take on sushi expresses many herbal notes. For example, the Superman roll carries a hint of rosemary, and the standout Pink Lady roll tasted light and fluffy—almost like a dessert pastry. The presentation was inventive; our sushi came artistically arranged in bright lattices, reminiscent of a floral bouquet.
Adventurous eaters take note. If the prospect of consuming a piece of art, complete with subtle taste and a warm sake palate cleanse sounds appealing, Domo is back in business.
Domo Sushi. 6725 W. Central Ave. 419-214-0999.
Tu-Th & Su 5-10pm. F-Sa 5-11pm.
