Sono

Walk into Sono’s sleek downtown pad and you immediately feel an urban vibe. One of only a handful of sushi restaurants in the downtown Raleigh area, it’s safe to say Sono’s décor and atmosphere alone make an impression on you long before you are able to taste and size up the fish.
 
In keeping with its stylized surroundings clad in shades of black and contrasted with fiery red denoting high energy, big city ambience, the menu offerings are prepared with a similar energy of their own.

Co-owner and experienced sushi chef, Michael Lee, is very focused on making sure Sono presents quality fish at reasonable prices. Lee has lived all over the U.S., and he has worked hard to incorporate the best of the techniques learned throughout his career into his restaurant here.  This includes listening to what his customers want, hence a seasonal menu that is updated two to three times a year.

The Special Rolls, featuring 32 current varieties ranging from $6.95 to $13.95, seem to reign supreme in popularity for many diners at Sono. One Special Roll that has not been changed out seasonally, however, is the ever popular "Screaming O” – a combination of  spicy tuna and tempura shrimp topped with seared tuna and drizzled with the creamy “O” sauce.  Lee created this roll based on a popular appetizer he often served while working in Las Vegas.

For those craving fresh pieces of fish, the Chef’s Choice under sushi combos priced at $25 or the Sashimi Platter priced at $30 is the way to go.  Co-head sushi chef Peter, who brings the "new style" flair, and co-head chef Mr. Song, the 30-year experienced veteran of traditional ingredients, arrange their selections of the freshest catches of the day on the sushi bar for you to savor. 

Not the raw fish type? Order the Grilled Scottish Salmon or the Ahi Tuna Steak and trust that cut of fish is sushi grade fresh, as it will be pulled off the sushi bar and cooked to your liking. If you are the one in your dining group that doesn’t like fish, then go with the Grilled Teriyaki Chicken.  It may sound simple, but it is marinated in sake and an herb-infused teriyaki that offers a truly flavorful alternative.

HelloRaleigh Tip:  Dining in Sono by day and Sono by night offer different experiences. The dinner menu is reasonable, but the lunch menu is beyond a bargain!  The Soup, Salad and Roll lunch combo at $9 is hard to beat.

- by Angela Risko, Raleigh Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Angela Risko

Angela Risko is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Formerly in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and Manhattan specializing in the film industry, additionally, she has developed multimedia content for the retail sector. A media relations professional and freelance writer, she believes inside everyone is a story worth telling. Angela is based in Raleigh with a concentration on lifestyle, culture, and human interest profiles.