Island Girl
Introducing Enkai Sushi Bar
***** Enkai Sushi Bar, winner of our Best of St. Thomas Award 2009: http://www.stthomasblog.com/?p=2593 *****
***** Check them out on Facebook ***** 
After finally visiting Thirteen (and loving it) we decided it was also time to finally make it to Enkai and stuff ourselves silly with the sushi we’ve been missing. We went there last night to pay Katie and Jason a visit and see how this two week old restaurant was doing. It was just as we expected – full and busy!
Enkai is located in Frenchtown, and no, it’s not in the area where Epernay and Craig and Sally’s hold court…it’s a couple of blocks away and sits right on the water, in a spot they have carved out all to themselves. Is it a little tricky to find? Eh, maybe…but make sure to keep a look out for the signs – like this one on the side of the restaurant…
…the signs on the roads beforehand have the same blue coloring with yellow(ish) lettering.
Okay. Enough navigating, but I will say this – Enkai is literally RIGHT on the water, there were a couple of boats tied up so close they practically had ropes looped around the restaurant chairs 
As you walk around the corner you find the bar in front of you with ample stools, and drinks being served by this guy:
Everyone say ‘Hi Chris’! And no, he normally doesn’t pour with such a grim look on his face. If you’re wondering why he looks familiar then he’s served you at one of his previous bartending gigs which include Indigo and Sibs on da Moutain…but he definitely seems happy at Enkai!
The entrance to the dining area is right next to the bar. I took this picture standing next to the bar looking inside the restaurant:
The restaurant is open air with ceiling fans twirling above you. Here’s a shot of the room we ate in, there are tables sprinkled both inside and outside on the covered deck-like area…
Behind that large table in the above picture is the rolling station with a few stools where you can sit, eat and watch the crazy rolling going on by this talented twosome!
That’s Katie and Jason doing their thing and if they look serious it’s because they are. No time to smile for pictures, we’ve got people to serve – and let me tell you, they were serving it up fast last night! With some help from these lovely ladies (thank you Cherie for modeling the cool shirts – which can be yours for $25):
We had a commenter on last week who mentioned that while the sushi was great the wait was a little long. We were prepared to wait last night but there was no need – the food came out with perfect timing (under 30 minutes).
So yes, it’s about the food, and we’re pleased to say it’s just as good as we were hoping it would be! Here’s a quick glimpse at the menu, click to enlarge (and the prices aren’t covered on purpose…oops!):
We ordered too much, as usual. Here’s a glimpse at the fabulousness that we chopsticked-up:
Speaking of chopsticks – I ain’t good with them. Scott and I requested forks, but they only had one in the kitchen which I graciously gave to my husband. So what did I do? I used started-sticks in the shape of a rhino! Cool!
The rhino and I proved to have great coordination, I’m going to have to buy a pair to have on hand for future sushi-ing…
Scott’s parents are in visiting -
- and while Steve has really never eaten Sushi he quickly became a huge fan; he enjoyed trying the different rolls (with his own set of lamb-shaped starter-sticks) and left with a full stomach – as we all did.
Enkai offers desserts but we were having none of it – I ate sushi until I was uncomfortable as did the rest of us…and we will do it all over again with the help of these leftover boxes that are sitting in our fridge waiting to be consumed…
If you pay Enkai a visit (and you will) you’ll want to do two things: make a reservation 340-774-MAKI, and let the staff know that the St. Thomas Blog sent you!
Thank you Katie and Jason for a fantastically tasty night – we’ll be back a million more times!
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March 23, 2009 @ 5:48 pm
Tony Bernstein Said,
How was the saki?
You can’t have one without the other!
March 23, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
Melissa Said,
Scott and Nicci,
Great write up! My group had a wonderful time at Enkai as well. It was nice to see you there.
March 24, 2009 @ 1:51 am
cherie benham-sargen Said,
thanks for the love…next time, save room for dessert…sushi baby thrives on sugar. just teasing, you guys are the best. We appreciate all your support. See you soon. Love you.
March 24, 2009 @ 5:55 am
Thelma Said,
Hello Katie and Jason,
Congratulations on a job well done!
I hope to visit you in the near future to try the “Brooklyn and Rochester” sushi on your menu.
Best wishes for continued success!
Thelma from Rochester
March 24, 2009 @ 2:21 pm
Aunt Mary Said,
Katie-
We’er so proud of you!!We know you’ll take the island by storm with your great sushi!
March 24, 2009 @ 3:10 pm
Opie Said,
To Katie & Jason & crew, I can only say wow ! Not only was the food & service fantastic, what a great on the building make over. Even the weather was perfect. Pat & I hope to make it back maybe thanksgiving time. Nice job to Chris behind the bar. Keep on “rollin’”, Opie from Groveland
March 24, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
BIG Kahuna Said,
Don’t you all think they should name a roll for us? We like:
St. Thomas Blog-Roll
March 29, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
Kevin Said,
We were there too — thought we saw you! It’s excellent, excellent food. FYI — “enkai” means something like “social gathering” — like when you go out to eat and drink with friends, family or coworkers.
April 2, 2009 @ 9:13 am
Kanchan Said,
Hi, I keep frequenting your blog and attend quite a few of the events you guys list. It’s a very good site, As for Enkai, well, my husband Sunil and I will surely pay a visit there after the glorious recommendation, especially since he is a sushi lover.
Thanks
Kanchan
April 2, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
BIG Kahuna Said,
Tell them Scott and Nicci from the blog sent you.
May 7, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
Sharon Said,
Thanks for the great restaurant reviews. During a recent trip home I crawled all over Frenchtown searching for Enkai…finally found it…located — not in Frenchtown proper — but on the water on the East Gregory Channel. It is located directly across from Hi-Tech Water Sports/Dive Shop and next to the overnight berth of the M/V Island Girl. It is housed in the old “Wok on Water” restaurant location! Good Luck and Enjoy!
June 1, 2009 @ 6:02 am
Best Of St. Thomas Awards 2009 Said,
[...] Winner – Best “Best Kept Secret”: Enkai Sushi [...]
June 6, 2009 @ 9:12 am
scubadiverstt Said,
Is it the where “The Place to Be” was briefly located? I am trying to remember “Wok on Water”–it’s been so long since that place has been around. They closed shortly after I moved there, and now I’ve been gone for about a year and a half.
June 25, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
BIG Kahuna Said,
Enkai Sushi Bar, winner of our Best of St. Thomas Award 2009: http://www.stthomasblog.com/?p=2593
November 25, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Jason Said,
Holiday season is upon us, and we (Enkai) now offer to-go sushi through Jen’s downtown. Just have your order in with Jen before Thursday evening, and we’ll have it there by Friday noon. Happy holidays everyone.
December 25, 2009 @ 11:57 am
sheri vliet Said,
we are jason’s relatives from snowy minnesota; your website looks so appealing; someday we might try out the scuba diving down there. best of wishes for the new year and the new restaurant.
January 12, 2010 @ 9:00 am
Jason Said,
Looking forward to seeing you at Enkai this new year.
February 11, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
Thank You For Your Support Said,
[...] Enkai Sushi Bar (winner of our Best of St. Thomas 2009, Best Sushi on St. Thomas) [...]