I’m extremely lucky enough to have the new Kona Grill directly across from my office building. Perfect for happy houring, sitting outside under their tented patio (accommodated with couches and tables), and feeding any sushi craving I may have. Or burger.

That’s what I found to be the winning ticket about Kona-the wide range and quality of their menu! Seafood, burgers, sushi, lite bites, and fun cocktail options (yes ladies, they have skinny cocktail options!) are all great options at the fun, lively, and hopping restaurant. Whether you opt to eat outside and enjoy the summer sun or stay indoors and watch the busy chefs hustling behind the kitchen, the food quality is outstandingly fresh and flavorful!

Of course going during their happy hour (which touts a half price cocktail, appetizer, sushi, and some entree selections), I had to try out a cocktail! Their signature cucumber mojto, barely over 100 calories, blew my expectations. 

While you mostly think of cucumbers being bland, this was refreshingly sweet with the slightest hint of cucumber (and rum!). Not a mojito fan? Their Sukini Marg is only 100 cals as well and offers that great margarita bite!

Seriously, if you have to find a place in the harbor for a quick, inexpensive happy hour outside-this is it! 

Cashing in on their low priced appetizer options, my date and I split their burger sliders. It’s hard to imagine fitting as much as they did on one tiny burger but the freshness of the veggies on it and the great flavor of the burger made for a wonderful start to the dinner-it could easily pass for a lite dinner.

How can you resist this little guy?!

Another great can’t-miss happy hour menu staple are their flatbread pizzas. Ranging from the standard margartia to BBQ chicken, the half price deal can not be beat! My date ordered the BBQ chicken, which packed a serious kick of spiciness of the chicken and sweet tang with the tomato sauce! For the about $6 you spend on the pizza,  I guarantee you’ll be taking home lunch for tomorrow (I know we did)!

Of course, I had to sample their popular sushi menu! While I didn’t go for one of their more creative rolls (like the crunchy crab), I went for my personal stand-by, spicy tuna! 

While it’s hard to imagine order sushi from a place that also has amazing burgers and pizza, the sushi met my expectation! The small rolls hit the spot and definitely cleared out the nose a bit! Gotta love that they offer gluten-free soy sauce and are generally super accommodating for any type of GF need! 

Overall, Kona has an awesome venue for outside dining with the girls (as you can see I sure did below!) and their food packs so much punch and such a wide array you can’t possibly get bored with selection! Grab the girls and grab a table before the summer ends!

Ask someone in Baltimore where the best sushi is in town, and you’ll face a host of opinions and options! In the city or the ‘burbs, for the fun party scene or a low-key vibe, chain or locally run hotspot, Baltimore is chock full of sushi joints meeting the needs of what you’re looking for. Let’s not even talk about the sushi places in Towson! 

Recently, Baltimore has been granted with a brand spanking new sushi spot, Tatu. Located on the side street of the Power Plant, Tatu is quickly rising to one of my top fave sushi places in the city. 

Swanky decor, plush seats, rich Oriental carpeting, bathrooms with make-up stations, chandeliers, and a hint of incense infuse the restaurant-making it a great go-to for happy hour with the girls or a fancy date night with the boy. Not to mention, the place is pretty huge so private parties would be killer at this venue.

I’ve only been for happy hour (which requires you to sit at the bar in order to get) and got to witness the fun staff behind the counter doing what I like to call sushi tricks while making recommendations of what to get and explaining how they make the rolls.  The happy hour is surely a good deal-cutting 50% off your entire bill and allowing you to order more than enough to keep you full!

My absolute fave addiction is already on the bar when you sit down-chips that have a spice in them making you want to go back for just one more.  

Aside from the chips is a complimentary cucumbery mixture that carries some heat to it, as well.

My first order of choice is their edamame (half off!) that they sprinkle with sea salt-making this salt fiend a very happy camper! 

Their happy hour cocktail list is pretty extensive, too. Each time I try to experiment with something new. After getting their blackberry caipirinha the last time, I opted for their blushing geisha (all half off mind you-we’re talking like $4 for a massive cocktail here, ladies!) and was delighted by its fruity flavor and bit of a strong bite after.

As for rolls, with prices being half off my date and I decided to splurge a bit and go for three different kinds. 

Prior to this visit, I tried their Tropical Citrus Salmon roll-a super refreshing roll that is topped with mango. Delish!

This time we went for spicy tuna, California roll, and the Rainbow roll, a total mixture of fish that’s completely addicting. Sure the rolls are gorgeous looking and colorful, but they absolutely follow up with outstanding taste, fresh fish, and just the right amount of a spicy kick to clear the sinuses. Next time I’m looking forward to trying different rolls (their Marilyn Monroll is calling my name!).

After polishing off all three rolls, I was surprised and delighted to see our waitress bring over complimentary cotton candy as an after-dinner cleanser.  Such a fun and unique touch that shows off Tatu’s creativity and flair for fun that really is clear from every aspect of the restaurant. A fun green apple flavor cotton candy, neither my date nor I were able to finish it. 

I was positive that Tatu couldn’t find a new way to surprise me but of course I spoke too soon. Along with our check came a temporary Tatu tattoo-clever and cute!

From the funky ambience, sheer swank of the restaurant, and their addicting rolls that are insanely cheap during happy hour-Tatu has found a big friend in me! 

Of course-I could never write a post without putting a shout-out to my all time favorite roll in Baltimore. RA Sushi’s Hot Mess. Do yourself a favor and try this bad boy.  It’s crispy, it’s crunchy, it’s sweet, it’s creamy. It’s pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted out of life and more-not to mention, RA Sushi’s happy hour isn’t too shabby itself.

Another honorable mention is the relatively new Sticky Rice with their Sticky Balls.  if you’re looking for a chill scene, great music, some karaoke, and unreal rolls-I highly recommend this place in Fells Point. 

Like I said, sushi in Baltimore is serious business. With easily over 100 different spots to explore, it’s all about the scene you’re looking for and where you’re willing to travel. Tatu, RA Sushi, and Sticky Rice are my top three choices in the city-be sure to hit up the happy hour and let it curb that sushi craving!