The boulevard recently received its newest Thai sushi addition on the west end of the street. Owned by the team behind Tee Jay Sushi in Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors as well as Thai House in North Miami Beach, Sky Thai Sushi offers a combination of traditional Thai, authentic Japanese, and a fusion of the two to the downtown business district.
On a recent weeknight, the spot was occupied by about a half-dozen tables of Las Olas locals, office workers, and tourists quietly eating an early dinner.
The interior of the restaurant takes its cue from the name: One wall prominently features a wispy mural in soft sunset colors; across the dining room, a blue backlit wall highlights bird cutouts; and above, recessed black lights emit a celestial glow.
Similar to the Thai sushi menus of Tee Jay and Thai House, the offerings here include a number of authentic Thai dishes, such as curries (red, green, panang, and massaman) and stir fries (basil, pepper garlic, cashew, ginger, and vegetable); traditional Japanese dishes like agedashi tofu, shumai, and miso soup; and creative Thai sushi rolls that incorporate Japanese technique with the bold flavor combinations of Thai cuisine, such as the Candy Cane Roll ($15), with hamachi, scallions, and cucumber rolled inside rice and topped with tuna, whitefish, kimchee, and sesame oil.
Before opening the restaurant, co-owner Wanlada "Winnie" Gebhard said the aim of Sky Thai Sushi is to offer authentic Thai dishes as well as some modern items.
On the modern front, the menu lists several specialties, including sea bass miso ($29), sautéed lobster with chili paste ($35), short-rib massaman curry ($27), and a number of grilled items — ranging from tofu steak ($15) and salmon fillet ($23) to filet mignon ($25) — that are served with cilantro jalapeño (a creamy yet spicy sauce that resembles condiments found in Peruvian cuisine and is definitely worth trying), teriyaki, and tamarind sauce.
Changing about once a month, lunch specials offer interesting items not served on the dinner menu. For no more than $14 a dish, diners can enjoy meals like grilled pork with sticky rice and papaya salad ($11), chicken or beef green curry and pumpkin noodles ($10), and beef or chicken stir-fried basil with a fried egg on top ($12).
Good deals can also be found during happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. daily, when the restaurant features $5 snacks and discounts on beer, wine, sake, and sake drinks.
Sky Thai Sushi is located at 350 E. Las Olas Blvd., #130, in Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-993-9889, or visit skythaisushi.com.
