Raw Sushi Lounge: The Best Sushi Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky

My husband is a huge fan of sushi. I, on the other hand, have never really found my calling toward uncooked fish wrapped in seaweed. So, when he suggested that we drive to town one night to eat at Raw Sushi Lounge down at Fourth Street Live, I was less than excited about my meal options.

Don't get me wrong -- I love Asian food. However, I've tried sushi at some of the top Asian restaurants in Louisville, and I've always had to fight the urge to spit it out into my napkin. See, I've always been overly interested n Asian culture, so eating sushi seemed like something I should enjoy doing. But, as much as I've tried to palate it, I've never been successful.

The décor at Raw Sushi Lounge fits its name. It's an industrial-looking space with minimal wall hangings and dim lighting. We had the choice to sit at either a traditional table or at a series of couches and chairs surrounding what I can only describe as a coffee table. We chose the couches, which turned out to be a great idea because it allowed a lot of comfort for our long wait.

Everything at Raw is cooked to order, so the wait for your food is pretty significant. However, the couches allow for a home-like feel, and there are even TVs surrounding the room so that those waiting can watch popular channels if they run out of conversation topics.

We decided to order appetizers from the sushi menu. They offer more than twenty different choices of types, from traditional sushi options to nigiri and sashimi, for between $4 and $15. While we waited we sipped on drinks from the bar. They have a lot of specialty drinks, but I opted for a Tom Collins -- a drink that restaurant bars rarely make to my liking. I was pleasantly surprised when my drink was as good as those I prepare for myself at home.

When the sushi arrived, we dove in, though I was hesitant at first. With my napkin waiting, I tried the first sliver of a Dragon Roll. It melted in my mouth, and my husband was shocked to find me reaching for more. We finished off both plates that we'd ordered as appetizers, and then ordered two more plates of different types of sushi. We never even made it to ordering entrees.

I've tried sushi at most of the local Asian restaurants without ever becoming a fan of the food. It took a trip to Raw for me to find my love for it. My husband and I are planning on going back very soon, and I'd suggest a trip there for anyone who's interested in sushi, whether you're a huge fan or not. Raw Sushi Bar is located at Fourth Street Live, 530 S. Fourth St., Louisville, KY, 40202.