Ichiban

Ichiban Restaurant Review:

Ichiban has been entrenched in Santa Barbara’s Mesa neighborhood for years. The interior consists of wood tables, a small sushi bar, a tatami-style eating area, and Japanese pagodas and lanterns dangling from the ceiling. The sushi bar features specials driven by the fresh catch that comes into the store each day, including blue fin tuna and rock cod. The 007 roll combines shrimp and cream cheese wrapped with lightly fried salmon, then tempura fried and served with a spicy sesame sauce. We find the uni (sea urchin) to be plump and fresh. The box sushi is a house specialty that is not usually on the menu, so ask for it by name; it's a rectangle-shaped roll with layers of seared ahi, spicy crab, rice and spices. Couples might want to order the Sailor Boat, perfect for sharing; it contains more than 16 pieces of rolled sushi, including spicy tuna and California roll made with real crab, as well as fried gyoza, vegetable tempura, teriyaki chicken and a selection of salads and fruit. Ichiban offers a modest wine list and imported beers, but is best known for its sakés.