Edoko Richardson Restaurant Review: A French-Inspired Sushi Experience in CityLine

As a writer for TheatreJones.com, my bi-weekly “Dinner and a Show” column demands a culinary experience that perfectly complements the artistic performance on stage. For an upcoming Paul Taylor Dance Company showcase at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas, the choice of restaurant needed to resonate with the modern, innovative spirit of contemporary dance. This led me directly to Edoko Richardson, a restaurant renowned for its contemporary, French-inspired approach to Japanese sushi. The synergy between modern artistic expression and a fusion culinary style felt impeccably aligned, promising an evening of elevated senses. Join me as we delve into our dining experience at Edoko Richardson, exploring what we savored and what left a lasting impression in this comprehensive review.

Discovering Edoko Richardson: Location, Ambiance, and Culinary Philosophy

Edoko Richardson finds its home within the vibrant CityLine mixed-use development, a dynamic hub in Richardson, Texas, known for its blend of residential, retail, and office spaces. This is the brand’s second venture, building upon the success of its inaugural location established in Frisco back in 2011. The choice of CityLine for a second outpost speaks volumes about Edoko’s vision to cater to a discerning clientele seeking sophisticated dining options within a bustling urban environment.

Upon entering Edoko Richardson, guests are immediately enveloped by an atmosphere of modern elegance. The interior design boasts a stylish, upscale flair, thoughtfully crafted to provide a comfortable yet chic dining experience. Sleek lines, sophisticated lighting, and carefully chosen decor elements contribute to a refined ambiance that feels both contemporary and inviting. The restaurant successfully marries Japanese aesthetic principles with modern design sensibilities, creating a space that feels fresh and unique.

The culinary philosophy at Edoko Richardson is as diverse and captivating as its decor. The extensive menu gracefully transitions from traditional sushi and sashimi selections to crisp, refreshing salads and the intriguing realm of robata – a Japanese custom of grilling food over hot charcoal. What truly sets Edoko apart is its daring embrace of French and Western culinary influences, seamlessly weaving them into their Japanese offerings. This fusion approach results in a truly unique dining experience, where familiar Japanese flavors are enhanced by innovative twists and unexpected ingredient pairings. The drink menu complements this diverse offering with a curated selection of beers, wines, handcrafted cocktails, and premium sakes, ensuring a perfect pairing for every dish.

A Dive into the Delights: Our Edoko Richardson Food Journey

Saba Sashimi: A Taste of the Ocean’s Bounty

Our culinary exploration began with an order of Saba (Norwegian mackerel) sashimi, a personal favorite of mine. Mackerel, beyond its exquisite taste, is celebrated for its impressive nutritional profile, being remarkably rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and selenium. This dish truly exemplifies Edoko’s commitment to both flavor and beautiful presentation.

The five delicate pieces of mackerel sashimi arrived as a work of art. Each slice was meticulously arranged atop a bed of thinly-sliced daikon radish and shimmering ice chips, creating a visually stunning contrast of colors and textures. The dish was further elevated by thoughtful garnishes, including a fragrant sprig of rosemary, vibrant chopped scallions, and an delicate edible flower, adding both aroma and visual intrigue. The mackerel itself had a remarkably clean flavor; it wasn’t overpoweringly sweet, nor did it carry any undesirable saltiness or “fishiness.” Its texture was wonderfully firm and meaty, allowing the pure, unadulterated taste of the fish to shine through without any distractions. This Saba sashimi quickly distinguished itself as one of our top two favorite dishes of the evening, leaving no doubt that it would be a priority order on our next visit to Edoko Richardson.

The Ocean Beauty Roll: A Symphony of Flavors

Our next selection, the Ocean Beauty roll, lived up to its name in every conceivable way, presenting itself as a harmonious blend of ingredients and an explosion of taste. This thoughtfully crafted roll features fresh salmon, subtly spiced crab, crispy panko shrimp, all brought together with a unique ginger sauce, bell pepper, a hint of jalapeño for warmth, fragrant cilantro, and crisp onion. It was served alongside a sauce so utterly captivating that, had etiquette permitted, I would have gladly licked it clean off the plate.

A minor note: a couple of the sushi pieces did show a slight tendency to fall apart, but this occurred only after we generously “abused” them by thoroughly dredging them in the irresistible accompanying sauce. This minor structural challenge was easily overlooked given the extraordinary flavor profile.

Speaking of the sauce, it deserves a paragraph all its own. The Ocean Beauty’s sauce was, without a doubt, a culinary masterpiece. It offered a delightful complexity, beginning with a delicate sweetness, followed by a subtle tang of sourness, and culminating in just the right amount of gentle heat. This perfect balance of flavors meant that the roll was absolutely exquisite on its own, requiring no additional enhancement from wasabi or soy sauce. This exquisite combination of fresh ingredients and an unforgettable sauce made the Ocean Beauty roll our hands-down favorite menu item of the entire visit, a true testament to Edoko’s innovative sushi creations.

French Kiss Maki: A Rice-Free Adventure

For our third selection, we ventured into a different style of sushi with the French Kiss Maki. This intriguing roll is prepared without rice, offering a unique texture and a focus on its premium ingredients. It features a compelling combination of spicy tuna, spicy crab, and cajun-seared tuna, all delicately wrapped in soy paper and served with a zesty spicy ponzu sauce. While we anticipated it might not possess the same vibrant visual appeal as our other selections due to its rice-free composition, we were eager to experience its flavor profile.

Unfortunately, despite the promising ingredients, this particular roll proved to be overly salty for our palates. The intensity of the saltiness tended to overshadow the nuanced flavors of the various tunas and the spicy crab. After just a few bites, we found it difficult to continue enjoying the dish. While the concept of a rice-free maki is appealing for those seeking alternative sushi options or a different textural experience, the execution on this occasion leaned too heavily on the salty side, impacting its overall enjoyment.

French Rainbow Sushi: A Visual and Flavorful Spectacle

To conclude our sushi journey, we ordered another visually stunning creation: the French Rainbow Roll. This roll is a testament to Edoko’s creativity, blending a spectrum of flavors and colors into one exquisite dish. It’s meticulously crafted with spicy crab, crisp asparagus, refreshing cucumber, and topped with a vibrant array of fresh fish, including tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp, and white tuna. The entire masterpiece is then drizzled with a distinctive French ginger sauce and garnished with colorful flying fish roe (tobiko), adding both a pop of color and a delicate textural crunch.

Aside from its unique French ginger sauce, the French Rainbow Roll presented a flavor profile that leaned more towards what one might describe as traditional “American sushi” rather than deeply traditional Japanese. This familiarity made it highly approachable and enjoyable. The inclusion of fresh vegetables like asparagus and cucumber contributed a delightful, refreshing punch and a satisfying crunch that balanced the richness of the fish. We particularly appreciated the generous variety of different types of fish meticulously placed atop the roll, offering a diverse tasting experience with every bite.

It was only after we had finished our meal that we realized a recurring theme: every roll we selected included spicy crab. While delicious, this unintended consistency highlights an area for future exploration. On our next visit, we’ll certainly be more mindful to diversify our selections, opting for rolls without spicy crab to experience an even broader spectrum of Edoko’s innovative offerings.

Beyond Sushi: The Allure of Robata at Edoko

One of the distinctive features that truly sets Edoko Richardson apart from many other sushi restaurants in the area is its dedicated robata menu. Robata, a cherished Japanese tradition, involves slow-grilling meats, vegetables, and seafood on a flat grill, imbuing them with a unique smoky flavor and tender texture. These exclusive robata options are only available during dinner hours, a fact we discovered during our lunch visit.

Although we weren’t able to sample any of the robata dishes on this occasion, the concept has certainly piqued our interest. The idea of perfectly grilled skewers, infused with the subtle char and expertly seasoned, presents a compelling reason for a return visit. We are already planning to come back during dinner to explore this fascinating aspect of Edoko’s menu. And, of course, when we do, a repeat order of our beloved Ocean Beauty roll will undoubtedly be on the table!

Final Thoughts on Edoko Richardson

Edoko Richardson offers a distinctive and memorable dining experience that skillfully blends the traditions of Japanese sushi with innovative French and Western culinary touches. Located in the bustling CityLine development, it provides a sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance, perfect for a special evening out or a refined lunch. While every dish may not hit the mark perfectly for every palate, the standout creations, particularly the Saba Sashimi and the Ocean Beauty Roll, showcase the kitchen’s undeniable talent and creativity. The prospect of exploring their dinner-only robata menu offers an exciting reason to return.

For those in Richardson and surrounding areas seeking a high-quality sushi restaurant that dares to innovate, Edoko Richardson is a compelling choice. Its commitment to fresh ingredients, artful presentation, and a unique fusion philosophy makes it a valuable addition to the local culinary scene and a perfect complement to an evening of modern dance or any special occasion.

Address: 1250 State St. in Richardson, Texas

Website: www.edokosushi.com