Sushi in Vancouver is as common as Starbucks outlets. Just walk down Robson or Granville and you’ll note the amount of pre-packaged joints doing a brisk business. So, when rumors of a kraken appearing in Gastown popped up, it was hard not to be intrigued.
Sea Monstr Sushi just opened and already people are raving. When you look at the number of sushi places in Vancouver it’s kind of hard not to. The industry cred level in the place is already through the roof thanks to it being co-owned by Mark Brand, of the Diamond and Boneta, and the sushi being headed by Keith Allison, the chef who in many ways helped make Dan on West Broadway the secret spot for many a West-sider.
Visually, the place looks astounding. It’s a hole in the wall in the finest Gastown tradition. It’s serves maybe 16 folks, but if you’ve ever been to a real Japanese sushi place in Japan, it fits the bill of tradition. All the other pretty can likely be chalked up to Alex “Rhek” Uso, Brand’s other half in the Sharks and Hammers store that has melded with the Sea Monstr to become one giant den of awesome.
Simple, easy and to the point, Sea Monstr’s got style for days and taste for miles, another reason that you should duck the tourists and the junkies and get back into Gastown.