I am always down to try out new restaurants and am always on the look out for exciting + fun new places. I have decided to try and take more advantage of living in Austin and get out there and really experience it since there are so many places to try! (I get lazy sometimes..) I usually drag my friend Courtney with me whenever I go and it is always a good time! I want to track our restaurant hopping (as best I can) and figure the best place would be right here. We have been to many other places prior to today’s subject and I hope to file those trips later on. But for now, may I present IMPERIA.
A few nights ago we ventured downtown for some sushi. As we crossed the street from our $7 parking spot to the restaurant, we could not help but wish we lived in the modern/industrial apartments the next block over. Awesome bars, restaurants + unique retail shops flanked each side of the street and it was almost as if I had just pushed the ‘refresh’ button on my entire day. (It had clearly been TOO long since I had been downtown!)
We were semi-greeted by a semi-snobby hostess who told us it would be a 45 minute wait because we did NOT have reservations. (It was a bit like the scene in ‘Date Night’ where Steve Carell and Tina Fey try to get a table at Claw. HA!) So, we stood off to the side in the non-existent waiting area. As we were finally being seated, our waitress informs us there is a “super long wait” for the sushi bar because they were so busy. While our appetizer came in a flash, our drinks took their time finding their way to our table. We each ordered a roll which took about 30-45 minutes for them to get out to us. We had good convo and drinks, so no biggie. It was worth the wait though as it was very scrumptious! We wanted to try one more roll which took a little longer but it was SO good! At this point it had been 3 hours and we were both ready to get outta there.
The atmosphere was nice and I enjoyed the interior detailing. The lighting was a little dark but I like dark. There was louder music over in the bar area but I could carry on a normal conversation in our dining area. It reminded us both of some of the sushi places we went to in New York. We liked it!
All in all it was a good meal and I will probably be back.. with a reservation though!
OUR PICKS
DRINKS
GINGER MOJITO / 10
BACARDI RUM, HOUSEMADE GINGER SYRUP, FRESH LIME + MINT
ASIAN PEAR MARTINI / 9
GREY GOOSE LA POIRE, MELON LIQUEUR, AND SWEET + SOUR
STARTER
FIRECRACKER SHRIMP / 9
WITH SWEET LIME CHILI
ROLLS
RED DEVIL · aka oni / 13
SPICY MARINATED TUNA ROLLED WITH BLACK SUSHI RICE
AND ROASTED RED BELL PEPPERS. TOPPED WITH SPICY MAYO
AND WHITE ANGEL SAUCE.
HAMACHI-POTLE / 13
SNOWCRAB, TEMPURA ASPARAGUS, AVOCADO TOPPED WITH YELLOWTAIL.
WITH CHIPOTLE MAYO.
THE LEADING ROLE / 15
UNAGI, CRAWFISH, AVOCADO AND CREAM CHEESE, SERVED CRISPY.
WITH SPICY TERIYAKI SAUCE.
IMPERIA | AUSTIN
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