Harney Sushi
HarneySushi.com
3964 Harney St., Old Town
619-295-0727
301 Mission Ave., Oceanside
760-967-1820
When you think of dining in Old Town, Mexican cuisine is probably the first choice that springs to mind. But Harney Sushi, a chic little eatery one block from the historic park, is a delicious option if you’re looking for something different.
Harney serves only sustainable sushi and meat. It’s their mission to support the health of ocean populations by choosing nontraditional fish for their unique dishes. Farm-raised or wild caught, Harney lists the sources of its seafood, beef and pork right on the menu.
My friend, Goldie, and I started with buttery sautéed maitake, honshimeji and shiitake mushrooms, which were—very flavorful and savory. Beef and warm blue cheese with asparagus and red onion dotted crispy flatbread. It was nice to have a non-sushi related item to balance our meal. (Other non-sushi items include Dr. Pepper steak, chicken teriyaki, pork ramen and several salads.)
Han Soju, an Asian vodka made from rice, is the base of numerous specialty martinis and cocktails here. Our Sojitos (a version of the traditional mojito) were lightly sweet and minty.
There are several vegetarian items available. The Hippie Roll (tempura sweet potato, shiitake mushroom, avocado, cucumber) was crunchy and tasty. My favorite dish was Bass Ackwards, a Thai-influenced tower of “acid cooked” sea bass flavored with citrus, coconut and curried potato. It was surprisingly delicious and filling, with bright, complex flavors. I’ll definitely return to Harney just to enjoy it again!
Cleverly named, house specialty rolls (Deadliest Catch, Rollz Royce and Hawaii 5-0) accompany a familiar range of sashimi, maki, nigiri and hand rolls.
To satisfy our sweet tooths, we shared rich Nut Brown Ale Chocolate Cake, and green tea ice cream, served with crumbled five-spice shortbread.
Harney offers a wide variety of hot and cold sake, cocktails, wine and beer. Adults (and kids) who are familiar with Japanese cuisine and sushi will enjoy the adventure of sampling these inventive dishes, a refreshing break from the standard fare that is served at most sushi places.
It’s a great lunch spot for families, and its Happy Hour and urban ambience make it the perfect place to enjoy a date night with your partner or a fun, relaxing night out with friends. The Oceanside location is within walking distance from the Coaster train station. Visit the website to browse the current menu.
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Kristin Powell is a freelance writer who lives with her family in South Park.
published: November 8, 2012