Edible Art
Meet the owners
As former fashion designer Rachel Woodward sprinkles Wasabi Masago on top a dragon sculptured Sashimi roll decorated in curated Japanese sauces shaped like splattered fireworks, it's clear that this isn't an ordinary sushi sushi restaurant.
"Each plate is a celebration to honor Japanese culture and cuisine. "
The ceilings are covered with floating paper umbrellas, the napkins are folded into origami fans, and guests are greeted by self maintaining ecosystem aquarium.
The entire atmosphere screams that an artist is in the building and she isn't afraid to express herself.
"All the geisha in the murals have been painted in the likeness of close family and friends. Those who have helped us throughout this journey. "
Woodward commissioned Alabama mural artist Cori Alsbrooks. She loved her work so much she flew Alsbrooks all the way out to Ventura, Ca.
Alsbrooks is a bubbly young woman with strong southern accent.
"I got sooo much work from people seeing my mural that I ended up moving out here to Los Angeles!"
Alsbrooks recently did murals for both Applebee's and IMAX.
Woodward re-opened Seaward Sushi on Christmas eve 2018 after three years of renovating the building to bring it up to Ventura County City code and regulations.
The Sake menu is abundant with variety of different regional picks carefully crafted from different grains and floral accents that are served both hot and cold. They also be serve authentic Japanese artisan craft beers made by Coedo.
Shane Jones is the restaurants Classically trained Sushi Chef that has helped build Seaward Sushi from the bottom up alongside his now wife Woodward.
"We are really picky about quality"
This historic landmark was originally established in 1979 by Japanese immigrants and Woodward and Jones decided to keep the name and add their own unique touch.
When Sushi Meets Art
The entire atmosphere screams that an artist is in the building and she isn't afraid to express herself.
Its clear this is no ordinary sushi restaurant.
Gallery
Rita Moran visits Seaward Sushi
Rita Moran - VCSTAR
"Friends and I happily arrived on a Thursday around 5:30 p.m. in time to enjoy three of the Happy Hour (5 to 7 p.m.) items at discounted prices available Tuesdays through Thursdays. Our miso soup ($3.25) was $1.63; basuketto (basket) tempura ($8.50) was $4.25; and Summer Wrap ($12.50) was $6.25.
Better yet, it all was tasty and very attractively presented by an attentive server. The basuketto of tempura shrimp with sweet potato, onion, tofu and asparagus accents was a happy starter, as was the Summer Wrap, which combined shrimp and avocado wrapped in pieces of halibut, then served with ponzu sauce.
The Epic Disaster torched rolls were the very opposite of a “disaster,” offering shrimp, cucumber, spicy tuna and scallops topped with “scorched” tuna, garlic crunch and green onion. Topping it all off was the garlic and spicy miso aioli.
We continued on with the Tiger Roll ($12.95), featuring tempura shrimp and crab topped with shrimp in the eatery’s “awesome sauce.”
Rounding up the taste treats was the Sizzling Spring soypaper roll ($13.50), which brought together shrimp, tempura asparagus, spicy crab and avocado wrapped in the sesame soypaper.
Needless to say, we were not planning to go home hungry. Even our amai desert ($7.25), with its vanilla bean ice cream topped with cherries, waffle sticks, mocha cake and French macaroon drizzled with raspberry and chocolate sauces, was enough to delight the three of us as the final item of the evening.
And that was just the food.
The atmosphere is full of striking accents, from the paper umbrellas flowing across the ceiling to murals by artist Cori Alsbrooks. All the geishas in the murals are painted in the likeness of family and friends, and the artwork itself is worth a tour through the small spaces of the restaurant.
There’s never a dull visual moment in any corner of Seaward Sushi, from the food to the ceilings to the walls. First-time visitors will find the food and decor vying for attention, but it’s a creative, and amusing, battle. "
"After a brief closure, the restaurant reopened last month with beer, wine and sake on the menu "
"The new Seaward Sushi transforms a corner at Ventura’s Seaward Avenue and Main Street into a fascinating kaleidoscope of color, shapes and, yes, sushi.
Its owners are Rachel Woodward and sushi chef Shane Jones, who became a couple during the three years in which they transformed the small, faded restaurant into a vivid setting for equally eye-catching “rustic” sushi.
The restaurant was originally opened in 1979 by Japanese immigrants who knew their sushi and had a long, popular run at the site. Interim owners maintained hit-or-miss hours until Woodward came along to bring the kitchen and bathrooms up to current codes -- and to create a new, distinctively colorful setting."
Reviews
805foodie / VENURA COUNTY STAR
"Her work as the owner of a wearable-art line, The Red Ant, is especially apparent in Seaward Sushi’s decor. It includes masks, silk flowers, a shadow box filled with geisha hair ornaments and, hanging from the ceiling, paper umbrellas turned into light fixtures."
Matriarchy
" Tastiest vegetarian sushi I've ever had! The chefs are professionally trained sushi chefs with mad skills. Try the Lily Roll and the Cali Green Bomb!!! The ambiance has a fun chill vibe with artistic murals covering the walls and vaulted ceilings with hanging paper umbrellas. Great for either a date or hanging with friends. "
Tone That Fat
"Awesome atmosphere and great sushi. The tempura sampler plate is amazing! This Sushi restaurant has free WiFi and charging outlets. Oh and great music. "
Testimonials
Sandi H. - Yelp
" We had a fabulous meal last night! Sushi chef Shane has created his own combinations of rolls and sauces that are unique and delicious. The interior and exterior of the restaurant is beautiful and makes you feel like you are surrounded by artwork! Great service too!!!"
Brett M. - Yelp
"Excellent food! great flavors, awesome Sushi! it has been awhile since I was in here and it has been remodeled and a great atmosphere,,,I will be back many times"
Carlos Batista - Google
"This sushi restaurant is beautiful. Great ambiance, food presentation and personal service."
Margaret Glenn - Google
"Love this place. Great food and even better service!"
Barbra Jones - Google
"We had a positive experience here. Food taste great. Super fast service, which is really awesome. Staff is nice and accommodating. will definitely come back."
Rio Petersen - Google
" At first, I was a little skeptical of trying a brand new sushi place that had been reopened for only three months. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see what awaited me at the doorstep.
As one walks through the door, your eyes are overwhelmed with beautiful murals and artwork. The place has an ancient Edo period theme mixed with modern & contemporary architecture. It is evident that the owners strive for a visual extravaganza in both their restaurant and food plating.
Not only does the food look like it belongs to an art exhibit, but it tastes just as good (if not more) than it looks. An essential yet overlooked aspect of a sushi restaurant is the wasabi and the ginger. The wasabi here is burning hot, the perfect amount of spice in my opinion. The ginger is tasty and rich of flavor given to you in more than generous portions.
My favorite roll is the “Rummage Roll” which is stuffed and topped with a diverse assortment of fish and topped with an awesome sauce and an aioli.
Overall Seaward Sushi is a great cozy restaurant that is inviting and fulfills one’s appetite for sushi. I would recommend for any resident or traveler in Ventura County.
P.s the hooks on the walls are a nice and overlooked touch so that one can hang their coat or bag ;) "