First look: RA Sushi

After months of anticipation — or was that construction? — RA Sushi finally opened its doors this weekend with private parties Friday and Saturday. The sushi restaurant/lounge's first Texas location is above West Elm in Highland Village; RA already has restaurants in San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tuscon, Chicago and Palm Beach. So here's what to expect after you climb the custom wood spiral staircase (ladies in heels, don't worry: there's an elevator):

Menu
RA has your typical Asian fusion and sushi menu with some twists. Items to note are the specialty rolls (with the sure-to-be-local-favorite Lone Star Roll) and the spicy tuna lettuce wrap appetizers.

Bar/lounge
The Flying Fish Lounge offers standard bar drinks and some others with an RA twist, including the RA Pleasure, Tsunami Punch and Screaming Ninja Shooter. There'll be a DJ Fridays and Saturdays.

Specials
One of Houstonist's favorite topics: There are happy hour specials from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and a "reverse happy hour" from 8 p.m. to midnight Sundays. Check out the $1 sake specials and rolls starting at $2.75.

Tips
Parking is notoriously hard to find in Highland Village — valet is complimentary and well worth the tip. Bringing a large party or dining with that special someone? Come early or be prepared to wait, because RA doesn't take reservations, even for big groups. If you do end up waiting, remember that you can eat almost anywhere in the restaurant: at tables, in the sushi bar and in the lounge.

Summary
Overall, RA seems like a great place to eat, but it has some kinks to work out. The food, atmosphere and crowd are great, but the service is still spotty — so if you're one of those people who expects a high level of service, you'd better sit this one out for a couple of weeks while things improve.

RA Sushi
3908 Westheimer Road
713.621.5800
Open 11 a.m. to midnight daily

This post is from future Houstonist contributor Emily K Burton.