What's New

Looking for a soupçon of hip with your sushi? Then head to Ra Sushi (1390 Lancaster Street, Harbor East, 410-522-3200), Baltimore's newest chopsticks palace. Push open the massive doors, go up a few steps, and you'll find yourself in the land of Ra. A techno beat pulses, red lamps cast a sexy glow, and ultra-cheerful servers await your order. There's no turning back, but why would you want to? Creative nigiri, teriyakis, and cocktails are ahead. The signature sushi is fun, if a little over the top, with catchy names like Tootsy maki with crab, shrimp, and eel sauce, and Crazy Monkey with smoked salmon and mango. Sip on a saketini or Ra Pleasure (sake, vodka, black raspberry and fruit juices) while waiting for the sushi chefs to wield their magic—either at the sushi bar or at tables in the dining room overlooking the outside street scene. Start with the seaweed salad ($4.50), a heaping bowl of tangy, marinated seaweed tossed with sesame vinaigrette, or go straight for the sushi. The sea eel nigiri ($5.25) and spicy tuna roll ($5.50) are fat and fresh. There are plenty of hot dishes, too, like spicy garlic shrimp with filet medallions, and beef teriyaki. This is the first East Coast venture for Ra Sushi, a rapidly expanding, Arizona-based chain. Lucky us.