Top-notch sushi takes center stage at Sado, the latest restaurant from longtime St. Louis chef and James Beard Award nominee Nick Bognar. A culinary pinnacle of sorts for Bognar, the restaurant offers an alternative to the longstanding neighborhood establishments in The Hill, St. Louis’s Italian neighborhood. Sado’s sleek interiors and elevated sushi program attract diners looking for an innovative yet approachable dining experience.
Walking into the restaurant, guests are greeted by a six-seat bar with serene, sea-blue cushions and two intimate rooms that evoke a traditional Japanese tea garden. Behind the bar, a jellyfish mural acts as a focal point and backdrop to Bognar, who’s often seen chatting with diners. The stage is set for the menu, where dishes are as artfully presented as the interiors, thoughtful in both execution and presentation.
The menu standout is sashimi and nigiri expertly crafted from chill-aged fish, although diners would be remiss to skip the small plates and entrees. Hot tastings, such as pork belly steamed buns and crispy Brussels sprouts, balance some of the lighter dishes, including the crisp miso ginger salad, a visual and flavorful standout. Don’t miss the Issan Hamachi, a dish inspired by Southeast Asia that blends coconut naam pla, Thai kosho, and candied garlic.
The vibe: Cozy Japanese tea house meets urban art gallery.
The food: Creative and refined small plates, fusion, and familiar favorites, including sashimi and nigiri.
The drink: Inventive cocktails with bold and complementary flavors, plus a curated sake program and extensive wine selection.
Time Out tip: Stop by Pavilion, a ticketed, multi-course omakase dining experience hosted behind the restaurant in a custom pavilion-shaped room. Bognar leads diners through a meal featuring inventive dishes, such as foie gras nigiri and fatty tuna topped with caviar.