Sushi Boat

Date of last visit: Feb 2010, March 2010
Address: 21900 Willamette Drive #205, West Linn Oregon in the West Linn Central Village
Phone: 503-722-9013
Hours: closed Sunday
NOTE: There is another of these in Beaverton--this is a review of the one in West Linn
LINK: 

Repeat visit --and a new note.  We went early in the evening (about 5:00) and we were the only customers.  Not such a good time to visit--because the food on the conveyor had been there a while and not much new food was being offered. Also, they were using a minced-up faux crab to augment most of the sushi--it tasted ok but was not wonderful.  Still a good deal at $34 for 3 people--so we will leave the grade where it was--but we will not go back when there aren't other diners in the place.

General Impressions of the place itself: A sweet little community spot with a conveyor belt of food rolling along in front of an L shaped counter (two sides) and about 5 booths on one side.  A couple of chefs are in the middle preparing various rolls and a few sushi items.   In the back there is a kitchen, out of which hot food emerges from time to time. The plates are color coded for price (ranging from $2 to $3.) and they glide past  you so you can pick the ones you want.  Stack the used plates up on the side, and they are used to calculate your bill. If you want to know what something is, ask the chef.  There is also a regular menu to order from if you prefer.
What we ordered: Oh my, we got a wide variety of items -- but rolls are most of what is offered so that is most of what we got. One of our party was particularly drawn to the Rainbow Roll and all agreed it was good.
Things we liked and disliked: Not very much sushi was offered when we were there, the variety could have been better.  If there is a shortage of customers there isn't much choice--new items are not added if the ones circulating are not being taken. If there are lots of people you have to watch carefully for the items you want as they will not be coming back around.  But still the whole thing works well and is kind of fun
Number in our party: 3
Total Bill: $48 (and we had a lot of food) plus a beer
Recommended? yes, it is a comfortable place, with a community feel to it. The food is not fabulous gourmet but it is good and it is just hard not to love this place.
With a Five Star Scale - and Five being perfect - we rate this place? 2+