Out and About with Pink
The word Ichiban means #1 in Japan, and Pink has found a sushi bar that ranks #1 on our list. Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse Seafood and Sushi Bar is tucked away in Pineland Station on Hilton Head Island. Owner, Jannie Irilaha has created a unique and cozy dining experience that everyone is sure to love, from the oriental dÈcor to the extensive menu that offers everything from Habachi grilled chicken to octopus! I grabbed some fellow sushi lovers and we headed out ready to try something new.
What women will love about Ichiban:
The cozy atmosphere and endless amount of delicious, healthy and interesting options. And don't forget ladies night! Every Monday night is ladies night and every woman will be treated to Ichiban's signature Rita roll. A light and figure-friendly roll of shrimp and crabmeat wrapped in lettuce and tapioca flour. My favorite part of this dish was the Sweet Chili dipping sauce. The combination of the sweet and sour sauce brought out the flavor of the simple, yet perfectly prepared seafood. But the one thing every woman is sure to love.the green tea ice cream! Yes, that's right. A sweet and decadent treat with a refreshing hint of tea to end your meal.
Sushi Lovers Unite!
Ichiban serves more than 30 types of sushi rolls, so you are sure to find a variety of delicious oriental flavors. Jannie prepared four signature rolls to give us a sample of her craft. We started with the Ahi and Volcano rolls and finished with the Grasshopper and Seminole rolls. The names alone were enough to pique our interest, and the plating was exquisite; almost too pretty to eat. With each beautifully crafted roll of sushi was wasabi and ginger, for those who like to kick it up a notch, and a piece of artfully cut fruit.
Each roll offered a unique flavor combination. First, The Ahi Roll, made with deep friend tuna, wrapped with seaweed and topped with three sauces. The tuna was the star here and the mixture of sauces layered on top added a little spice bringing out the tuna's rich flavor. Next was the Volcano Roll. Inside the roll was shrimp tempura and piled on top was crabmeat, my favorite! The delicate crabmeat was delicious and no one wanted to stop eating. But we had to save room for more.
Up third was the Grasshopper Roll stuffed with shrimp and topped with soft creamy strips of avocado. The crispy fried shrimp paired with the smooth texture of the avocado was a winning combination. Finally we dug into the Seminole Roll, this one combining shrimp and seared tuna. Ahh, a new favorite. The tuna was flavored with pepper and seared to perfection.
My friends won't eat sushi:
Ichiban offers a lot more than just sushi. They have a full habachi grill, which means, grilled chicken, shrimp, steak etc. Along with mouth watering rice and veggies, there is something to satisfy every appetite with a menagerie of flavor combinations.
A New Way to Happy Hour:
For those craving something a little different, why not spend happy hour sipping on Japanese Sake or a unique Japanese beer. Ichiban has happy hour from 5 - 6, Monday through Friday where you can get a large serving of Sake for only $4.99 or a small for only $2.99. If you are a beer drinker, Ichiban carries Sapparo, Ichiban and Kirin which are all tasty Japanese beers. And on Tuesdays, enjoy these great prices all night for Sake night!
Simply Stated:
Ichiban Sushi is open Monday - Saturday from 11:30a.m. - 3p.m. and 5p.m. - 10p.m. Closed on Sundays. New to the Island, they have been open six months and are located in Pineland Station. To contact them call 342-5155.