Uchi, Uchiko serve up summer fare

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The popular travel site Trip Advisor recently named Austin’s own Uchi a “Travelers’ Choice Favorite Restaurant”. Uchi is a contemporary Japanese restaurant and well-known in town — its menu consists of sushi, sashimi, makimono, tempura and other hot and cold Japanese tastings.

Owner Chef Tyson Cole is an American sushi master and was named Best Chef of the Southwest by the James Beard Foundation just last year. Director of culinary operation Philip Speer said the recent nod from Trip Advisor feels like a “huge honor” to them.

“I mean the list…it was a very, very select group," Speer said on Sunday. "Restaurants from New York, Vegas, Chicago and places like Le Bernadin..the best restaurants in the country, so to be included in that was pretty amazing.”

Speer told KXAN News the secret to their success is that they try really hard to please their guests, without becoming stuffy or overdone.

“We try to create an experience that is not only accessible for the guests and enjoyable but good food..new food and different things to try," Speer said.

The culinary director says the chefs at Uchi and its sister restaurant Uchiko, like to source their food both globally and locally and their menu varies weekly and even daily. Uchi is located on South Lamar, Uchiko on North Lamar and they recently opened an additional restaurant in Houston.