10 July 2007
Michie Sushi
Michie Sushi make the best sushi in Dublin. I realise that’s something of a broad statement, but I’ll stand by it - I’ve tried pretty nearly every other sushi maker in the city, and Michie Sushi stands head and shoulders above the rest. They’re tucked away in Chelmsford Lane in Ranelagh, and they do both sushi to take away, and catering. When you go in, you request your food from an extensive menu, and it’s made there on the spot for you by head chef and proprietor Michel or his assistant, Heike.
Michel Piare started his career as a teppanyaki chef, and has learned the craft of sushi over the intervening years. He has worked as an executive chef for Wagamama in Holland and Belgium, and has had input into branches as far away as Australia and Dubai, as well as working with the US chain Benihana’s. He has opened sushi restaurants abroad as well, most notably Zushi in Amsterdam.
I caught up with Michel at the Farmer’s Market in Ranelagh on Sunday last, having spoken to Heike in the shop in Chelmsford Lane the day before, to talk to him about his experience as a chef, and his hopes for the business in Ranelagh. The idea, he says, is to concentrate more on catering than anything else - weddings, outdoor and corporate events - and to keep the shop as a place where people can drop in for smaller amounts, take-away style. Heike - who’s German, but born in Japan - had made me up several kinds of sushi the day before, and I was keen to get more from Michel. He tells me that they source fish from various suppliers, from Kish Fish through East Coast Seafoods, and that they use only the best and freshest fish. They’d rather have no fish of a given kind than poorer quality, so the suppliers are kept on their toes.
Ranelagh is an ideal place for a sushi takeaway, already having a reputation for good food, and while Chelmsford Lane is a quiet spot, Michel and his partner Anna, who takes care of the business side of things, are hoping to build up a body of repeat customers there. Even while I was there on Saturday afternoon, there were people collecting orders, and coming in to find the place, so I have every confidence they’ll get the business. I’m certainly a convert, and I’ve every intention of being a regular customer. They’re attending a number of the farmer’s markets on the East Coast, having been in Wicklow the day before I spoke with Michel, and Leopardstown as well, so even if Ranelagh isn’t all that convenient for you, you’ll be able to reach them somewhere nearby.
The menu covers sashimi, nigiri, maki, ura maki, temaki and gunkan sushi, and they usually have salmon, tuna, seabass, prawn, mackerel, octpus, eel, omelette and tofu in stock, as well as scallop sashimi, which I’d never seen before. Aside from individual or paired pieces, they also offer sets, ranging from the nine piece small set (for only 8 euros!) to the hugely impressive party set, with over 60 pieces for 60 euros.
So, as I said, Michie Sushi is the best sushi in Dublin, open from noon to 10pm, Tuesday to Sunday. When you try them, let us know what you think!
posted 10 July 2007 @ 12:14 by Drew Shiel
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zoe says:
Sean says:
I can’t speak highly enough of the food at Michie Sushi, you can really taste the difference. I used to frequent a top Japanese restaurant in Melbourne and this is right up there, mouth-watering stuff. The service is superb and the food is made fresh to order. Try it next time you’re getting takeaway, you’ll be glad you did!
Dermot O' Reilly says:
I actually live on Chelmsford Lane. Imagine my delight at this place opening up. Simply divine! Try everything, the Tuna is spectacular and the miso soup is excellent!
AJ says:
Stumbled upon this place last night.. What can I say. Fantastic food - Best Sushi I have ever tasted. Will return for more..and more…..
I can’t speak highly enough of the food at Michie Sushi, you can really taste the difference. I used to frequent a top Japanese restaurant in Melbourne and this is right up there, mouth-watering stuff. The service is superb and the food is made fresh to order. Try it next time you’re getting takeaway, you’ll be glad you did!
I actually live on Chelmsford Lane. Imagine my delight at this place opening up. Simply divine! Try everything, the Tuna is spectacular and the miso soup is excellent!
Stumbled upon this place last night.. What can I say. Fantastic food - Best Sushi I have ever tasted. Will return for more..and more…..
Hey there, I totally agrre with this review! I’ve been into Michie Sushie lots of times, and by this stage I’m getting my friends up from Limerick and down from Donegal to have this sushi! The fish used by Michael is simply devine, and in truth I have never tasted tuna nigiri like it. Ever. It’s a little bit out of the way, I suppose, but it is so unbelievably worth it!