Sushi Experiments and Rhombus-Shaped Tables: Wednesday at Czar

I love sushi, and I mean really love sushi, but I get sick of the same things on the menu over and over again: tuna and salmon maki, tuna and salmon California rolls, tuna and salmon sashimi, and spicy seared tuna. Sometimes it seems like all the sushi restaurants in Durban are secretly one chain.

So I was quite keen to try the offerings at the gleaming new venue Czar on Florida Road. It occupies the same space as the much-vaunted Society, with a more polished ambience to cater for a crowd that doesn't need to get hot and sweaty to have a good time.

They've continued the popular tradition of half-price sushi on Wednesdays though, so I got dressed up, even though it was a schoolnight, to check it out.
The menu offers the usual fish options: salmon, tuna, and prawns. Rather than photocopying John Dory's menu though, they're thinking a bit outside the bento box to use them in new ways. Seared Salmon dusted with 7-Spice (R65 for 6) may not be a revelation, but it makes an interesting contrast to its darker cousin.

The tuna gets to pretend to be seaweed as well, wrapped around the rice in the Seared Tuna Sushi Roll (R55 for 6).
Even the prawns get new life, chopped up in the Seaweed Spicy Prawn Nigiri (R55 for 6). You have to open wide, but it's worth it.
Other options include the crunchy Cucumber Tempura Prawn (R66 for 6), Mixed Rainbow Roll (a combo of tuna, salmon and prawn, R65 for 6), and a nice mixture of vegetarian sushi as well.
Don't overlook the starters though, like the delicious Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce (R15 per piece).
As with all experiments, some of the ideas worked better than others. I may leave off the seared salmon (although I've got an admittedly low tolerance for spicy food), but will definitely be back for the prawn nigiri.

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What Others Said

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angela said
on 17 March 2010

agreed, aesthetically it is lovely (not fabulous award winning "Society" decor)but the chairs are beautiful but totally uncomfortable. Service was non existent, we wanted to drink champagne and eat sushi and the gals were ready to leave and go across the road to Nandos...seeeriously.

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Jason - LA said
on 11 February 2010

Although the sushi is great as always - the vibe is terrible and managers useless. Much prefer it when it was Society (and they had the exact same sushi items and some starters etc - is that allowed? Cause Athos didn't own it??) the seated tables are just not ideal to seat tables around - especially for 8 or more people! I understand the vision and style - but those tables don't work. Good luck