When it comes to things I lust after, bars are pretty high up on my list. There’s cocktail bars, chocolate bars, and, most lust-inducing of them all, sushi bars.

And when it comes to the rawness, I like it straight up, old school, traditional.  When I order fish, I want to taste it, melting in my mouth, making my eyes roll to the back of my head with the sheer sensual simplicity of it. Serve it up like they do in the mother land and save the avocado for those who can’t appreciate the classics.

I had heard the raves about Oomasa, and when I found myself with a rare free weekday to have a lunch in my new stomping ground, I took the opportunity to indulge in the sweet, moan inducing goodness only sushi can provide.

As I walked up to the unassuming building located in the adorable Japanese Village Plaza, I hoped that this place was as good as I had heard…I was in need of something amazing.

Boy did I find it.

The friendly sushi chef was on point and brought my friend and I as much sushi as we could order – which was a lot.  Starting with the sweet shrimp, that crisp, fresh, sweet flesh was a perfect way to start off the meal.  Promptly followed by the crunchy, salty delicacy of the fried shrimp head.  A perfect counterpoint.

Next, the albacore.  If ever there was a fish I can count on to make me swoon, this is it.  And, as always, my old stand by didn’t disappoint. Melt in my mouth goodness with the citrus kick of ponzu.

My friend wanted the freshwater eel, and who was I to say no?  As always, the warm meat and sweet sauce were wonderful.

And then, something happened.  My companion asked the sushi chef for “That one with the Yuzu on it.”  Presented to me was the red snapper.  So beautiful, with its pale flesh tinged at the ends with a bright pink, I took her word when she said, “Try this, it’s amazing.”

Amazing is an understatement.

I was advised that I should let the sushi linger in my mouth to get the full impact of the flavor.  I placed the piece in my mouth and began to savor…oh sweet baby Jesus.  Firm, yet silky, the taste of the fish was elevated to another level with the addition of the sour Yuzu, the light squeeze of lemon and the additional salt place atop the masterpiece of fishy goodness.  From deep within my body came a sound so animalistic, so filled with passion that I blushed when I was snapped back from my food lust trance from the giggles of my friend and her declaration of victory, “Right?!”  Truth be told, that was the best red snapper I’ve ever had the pleasure of putting in my eager mouth.  So even more eagerly I gobbled up the second piece.

Next on the hit list I ordered the salmon roe.  One of my favorite things to order as it is an acquired taste, which means usually my friends let me eat both on my own.  This time was no exception.  The best part of eating a truly fresh bite of salmon roe sushi is that the eggs explode their salty goodness one by one as they are consumed, making each piece’s flavor last and last.  Delicious and all mine.

The Spanish mackerel was, much like the snapper, the best I’ve had.  Perfectly prepared by the skill sushi chef, the seasoning and texture was perfect.  Not at all oily like at lesser establishments.

Salmon and yellowtail belly finished my order.  Both simply prepared, both simply fantastic.

I sat with my friend, continuing our discussions on dating and weekend plans, happily filled with enough sushi to satisfy without overfilling.  But before I asked for the check, I asked for one more red snapper, slowly, deliberately enjoying every morsel. A perfect dessert.

The check arrived, and though it was not cheap, it was worth every penny.  I’ve learned in my tenure of sushi eating that you often get what you pay for.  After the feast I had just had, the $60 total was not only reasonable, it was much lower than I was expecting.  Smiling like a child who just got away with something naughty, paid my check and happily walked out into the crowd of people exploring the tiny plaza.  I was sated, lust fulfilled and happy to have found yet another bar to add to my rotation.