Located in the beautiful Bridgeport Marketplace, Sake Bistro & Lounge features fine dining and superior service with an “Old Hollywood” atmosphere. Executive Chef Christopher Eddy has shown his passion for great food by creating a daring and playful menu filled with variety and excitement. Paired with a DJ and live music on Friday and Saturday nights, Sake Bistro & Lounge is the type of restaurant where you can enjoy your meal and spend an evening with great friends, new and old. And look out for music at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday’s starting in June. You may even find yourself at the restaurant more and more as you get to know the wonderful people that make it all happen. From the moment you enter Sake Bistro & Lounge you are the star for the night. Gracious hosts and knowledgeable servers are key in this equation and have learned from the best example of excellence, Mr. Mark Oliver. A true professional, Mark makes a point to tour the restaurant, speak to customers and make sure everyone is happy!
My meal began with two delicious and strong cocktails, a Cest La Vie and a Cucumber Martini. Sweet, juicy and smooth, the Cest La Vie was like biting into a piece of fruit, a deliciously alcoholic piece of fruit. This is the perfect cocktail as it lets you truly taste each bite exactly as the chef intends. The cocktails though, with the classic long pour of 1 3/4 ounce, they can go to your head faster than you may think.
I was simply in awe of the time and effort put into the presentation of the food. Every item on the plate was there because it had a purpose to satisfy your eyes and your stomach. There was pure artistry in each plate! Diving into the Ahi Poke Martini ($11) was fresh and flavorful with a little bit of heat at the end. It was the perfect amount of food for two.
The Ceviche Tostados ($10) – piled high with Sea Bass, Halibut, Rock Shrimp on a crispy maize tortilla, are crisp and clean. A simple and fresh combination of flavors that leave your palette satisfied, yet craving more all at the same time.
I was delighted to see Shake Toro (Salmon Belly, $7), Hotate (Live Scallop, $12) and Mebachi (Premium Big Eye Tuna, $7) make the way to the table. Followed by a Duo Roll ($14), Bin-Maguro Roll ($14) and Maguro Tataki Sashimi ($17), I was in fish heaven. Starting with the sweet and buttery bite of Salmon Belly, then to the fresh and mild flavor of Big Eye Tuna, my absolute favorite was the Hotate (Live Scallop). Each bite was sweet, salty and just melted in your mouth. It was a delightful new treat for myself and one I dreamed about for days after the review.
In the mix of the menu, we also were treated to two additional cocktails from the bar, a Martinez ($12) and a Jalapeno Martini ($12). Both with distinct flavor, I’d have to say I am now in love with a Martinez. Smooth and stiff, initially it comes off as a “mans” drink, but the flavor is so fantastic I dare any woman to not fall in love with it.
Our next course came with such lovely aromas I couldn’t wait to dive in. Starting with the Truffled Scallops ($17), each bite was hearty, earthy and livened up by the delicious caviar on top. With each burst in my mouth, a level of flavor was added that just made my taste buds sing with praise. Moving on to the Wild Mushroom Filet Mignon… words couldn’t do justice to this dish. The filet was perfectly cooked, medium rare, and it was placed on “puree” happiness. The Celery Root puree and Wild Mushroom Gratin elevated this meal to a level of excellence I have rarely enjoyed in Santa Clarita. Also joining the table, the Asparagus with Prosciutto ($8) and Polenta & Shitake Mushrooms ($8) were pure magic to the taste and after sitting down with Executive Chef Christopher Eddy, I knew where his inspiration came from.
Growing up with a passion for cooking, something Chris and his father shared, Chris was looking for a way to incorporate his love of the nightlife and still have a family life as well. And what a better way to combine a
passion for food, family and the
nightlife with Sake Bistro & Lounge?
My meal was complete with the finale… Ebony & Ivory Lava Cake ($9) as well as Peanut Butter & Jelly ($8) with a modern new twist. The Ebony & Ivory Lava cake was rich with chocolate goodness. The Peanut Butter mousse just melted in your mouth and when the jelly paired with it I was immediately taken back to my childhood and could not stop smiling. And could you believe with all the food I was delighted to try, I left feeling perfectly full – with a perfect dining experience!
Sake Bistro & Lounge is located at 23889 Newhall Ranch Road in the Bridgeport Marketplace. They are open seven days a week with love music on Friday and Saturday nights at 9:45 p.m. Look for music on Sunday’s in June starting at 12:30 p.m. For more information, please call 661-255-SAKE(7253). Reservations are available Sunday through Thursday.