Sonie Sushi and Bar
Sonie, previously located at J Avenue, is back after a five-month hiatus and at a new location. While we can't verify its claim of introducing fusion sushi to Bangkok back in 1999, we can swear on our salaries that Sonie proves to be a black belt in delivering savory sushi rolls.
The new Sonie seems to be targeting a "young and cool" clientele, with its industrial urban vibe mixed with nods to Nippon. A sticker mural of samurais behind the cashier counter catches your eye upon entering. The conversation piece in the airy dining room, however, is a 7 meter sticker mural depicting the sun goddess Amaterasu emerging from a heavenly cave.
Sonie's open-plan space affords customers several seating choices, and you also can ask for a free game with which to kill time. Play Jenga after downing a few bottles of Japanese craft beer at the sushi bar to decide who's sober enough to drive. Get a table for a proper dinner with friends or family, with enough space to play a game of Go before your orders arrive. Should you and your friends want to shout "kampai and be reasonably rowdy, opt for a private room in the back.
Our review is off to an umami start with the Age tofu salad (B160+). Once you break the crispy skin of the deep-fried tofu, a warm burst of creamy texture inside takes over. Crisp veggies are enhanced with sesame dressing. A meaty texture can be had from the stir-fried aromatic mushrooms.
There are about nine signature sushi rolls available, five of which we tried. Hell boy roll (B260) lends a spark with heat from chipotle peppers, spicy tuna and pickled wasabi. The roll is deep- fried, crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
The piece de resistance of our meal was the melt-in-your-mouth sensation that is the Volcano roll (B280). Three types of fish on top tuna, salmon and yellowtail are seared with a blowtorch (a technique called "aburi"), resulting in a smoky taste. Cucumber, ebiko and kani mayo make the dish erupt with even more flavour.