Elite Tasting? More Like A Feast… Yelp’s Elite Tasting At Ra Sushi!

On a cool Tuesday night in San Diego's Gaslamp District, twenty lucky Elites were invited to what Ra Sushi Bar Restaurant billed as a tasting. This room of Elite Yelpers will be the first to tell you that Ra's version of a tasting is a full-blown feast and nobody's complaining! The tables were set, the lighting was dim, the staff waited in anticipation, and the "tasting" was ready to begin. One by one the Elite guests checked in with the hostess and took their seats. Drinks were ordered and conversation was struck as the kitchen got to work preparing the first of the four courses to come at Yelp's Elite Tasting At Ra Sushi.

The evening kicked off with an
incredible list of drinks being served by DJ and Bobby including: Strawberry Saketinis, Lycheetinis, Cucumber Collins, Kiwi-Berry Kiss, Ginger Blossom, Coconut Mojito, Jacob's Creek Moscato, Joel Gott Pinot Gris, Murrietta's Well "The Whip" White Blend, Irony Pinot Noir, Simi Cabernet, Alamos Malbec, and an Imported and Domestic Beer Selection. Oohs and ahhs could be heard with every sip and the close-knit bunch could be seen passing their drinks across the table to share their glass of joy with their fellow Elites. David G sums it up by saying, "did I mention that the cocktails were first rate?  After a strawberry
saketini, a lycheetini, and a ginger blossom, I had a solid buzz going
on (and I didn't even feel guilty about it, since these were low-cal
diet cocktails)."

Then came the food… Course one consisted of an edamame dip which was creamy and served warm wonton chips, Bonfire Shrimp tossed in a chilli sauce with fried shishito peppers and garlic edamame in a garlic butter and Asian seasoning. Ace D will tell you that though all the starters were delicious, "You have to try the Bonfire Shrimp.  It was not only awesome, but that mild pepper taste will only get you hooked.  Indeed."

The second course was a sampling of three crispy Asian tacos presented beautifully. The spicy salmon taco was a crowd favorite but the "RA"ckin' Shrimp and chicken tacos did not disappoint. Expressions of delight overtook the tables and let's just say that every plate on the table was licked clean after course number two. Moving on!

Course number three proved to be both delicate and finger lickin' good all in one! The salmon with green beans was approached with chopsticks while the black pepper teriyaki and chili ponzu Asian chicken wings were manhandled and left a lot of work for those extra napkins strategically placed on the table by DJ and Bobby. Follow it up with a bowl of Drunken Black Mussels sauteed in garlic and seasoned soy sauce and a collective sigh of "yummmmmm" could be heard throughout the restaurant.

What's dinner without dessert? The fourth course consisting of three flavors of mochi ice cream garnished with sliced kiwis and strawberries rounded out the "tasting" while Ra's General Manager Timm made his rounds answering questions from the two tables full of Elites. With a round of applause the night came to an end and the Elites filed out the front door with a truly unique and Ra experience!

Thank you so much to Ra Sushi Bar Restaurant, Timm, DJ, and Bobby for making the night truly unforgettable and one of a kind! Of course countless props go out the very lucky group of Elites in attendance for bringing Yelptastic attitudes and snapping all the pictures that were contributed to the event page. You can also find all of those photos on the Yelp Flickr page. Kampai!

Brad B

San Diego Community Manager