Harney Sushi: Old Town // Oceanside

Old Town
3964 Harney Street
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 295-3272

Oceanside
301 Mission Ave.
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 967-1820

http://www.harneysushi.com/
Lunch: Mon-Friday: 11:30-3pm
Dinner: 5:30-12am
**REVERSE Happy Hour: 10 pm-12am
Sushi Bar & Restaurant
San Diego’s only Sake Bar
Wine & Beer
40 Sakes available
Private VIP booth
35+ specialty rolls
Live Music -DJs spinning nightly

Having traveled the world and visited countless sushi bars, Harney is distinctively my favorite sushi restaurant. The whole atmosphere invokes this image of the ideal nightlife paradigm: Cocktail dresses, couples having intimate dinners in its dark ambiance, DJ’s spinning, large groups congregating at the bar downing sake bombs, mouths watering in anticipation for that first bite…

Located in Old Town, fittingly enough on Harney Street, Harney Sushi is in a world of its own: Outside of its surrounding world of Americanized Mexican embellished folklore that Old Town is renownedly known for, you know when you see the real insidery people of San Diego flock to Old Town, you automatically know it’s for the sushi — not for “Taco Tuesday”.

Start off with a very elaborate cocktail from their drink list and have a bowl of hot Miso soup. Next, order their house salad: Fresh crunchy lettuce tossed in their signature rich and flavorful sweet onion soy dressing, and also, the Chuka (seaweed) salad — just because it’s ridiculously good. Finally order “Bomb James Bomb”– which also happens to be my favorite roll: Tempura-dipped California Roll with hot cream cheese (which absolutely melts in your mouth), topped with scallop, spicy mayo and eel sauce.

It’s perfection in a roll- sweetness, hotness, of course, muy espicyness.

I highly recommend looking into the specialty rolls because they were designed by witty, loyal customers. Some fun specialty roll names include: the Rollz Royce, Grey Poupon Roll, Orange Krush, Dank Roll, Hippie Roll, and Maui Waui Roll. All of these rolls have different flavors and textures, so be brave and try something new! You can get cheap, plain/bland sushi anywhere, you go to Harney Sushi for something a bit more fun and *fancy*.

Each time I’ve been to Harney Sushi, I’ve always had excellent service. The sushi chefs/wait-staff are very courteous, friendly, and never fail to part without saying “have a good night” as you leave.

The only irritating element about the Harney experience is having to WAIT for a table. Avoid it by calling ONE DAY ahead so the wait isn’t unbearable. It’s a very small space and it gets pretty crowded past 7pm,  If you do happen to have a wait ahead of you, go tour around Old Town and scope out the bars and specialty gift shops. Go buy a cool pancho and some chicle.

Mix Tips***
-Parking is not fun in Old Town, drive up Harney’s Road and park right next to the church (on top of the hill)
-Save about ten dollars and go for the lunch specials: 11:30-3pm /7 days a week. Sit outside on the patio and indulge yourself, while enjoying a bit of sunshine as well.
- REVERSE Happy Hours: 10pm-12am/7 days a week (i.e. perfect for youindustry folk.)
An Example of Some of the Offerings Available at their Reverse Happy Hour:
Gyoza $3.50
Edamame $2.50
Miso Soup $1.50
California Roll $3.00
Spicy Tuna Roll $4.50
Spicy Yellowtail Roll $5.00

- Great place for a first date OR a night to rendezvous with your amigas

By: Emma Keating