<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Sakura Sushi in Lake Charles is the restaurant version of a cool beard on a familiar face. There is something both new and old about the business. And in many ways, that adds to its appeal.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Before I wax poetic about the restaurant’s qualities, let me first explain my love-hate relationship with beards in general and why comparing Sakura Sushi to hair growth, while an accurate compliment, is not easy for me.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">I have friends that can grow beards. From the full on Grizzly Adams look to the more hip, perpetual five o’clock shadow, I know guys who have no problem sprouting hair from their check bones down to their chins.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">I hate those friends.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Well, hate is a strong word. Maybe it’s not hate that I’m feeling. I guess you can say it’s jealousy, more or less. This animosity stems from the fact that, well, I myself cannot grow a beard.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">I have tried on multiple occasions and the facial follicle growth just never takes. Instead of looking like a cool, weathered action movie star, I end up looking like a mangy Labrador.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">But that’s life, I suppose. It just bothers me because a beard can do so much for a guy. I have friends that, honestly, are not that cool. Neither am I, but that’s neither here nor there. All of the sudden, these individuals grow a beard of some type, trim it so it looks presentable, and next thing you know they are a completely different person.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Their confidence is higher for some reason and people, out of nowhere, suddenly respect them.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">A beard, which is basically just a costume for your face, can do a lot for a person. It can increase their cool factor. I’ve seen it happen.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">This process kind of reminds me of what has happened over at 211 West Prien Lake Road where Sakura Sushi, one of the area’s newer sushi houses, is located. Most people remember Mongolian House being there not long ago.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The building still looks about the same from the previous eatery. The inside has been shuffled a bit, but for people more familiar with the old location, they won’t be thrown off that much.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">This makes sense because, as I was told by an employee there, the new franchise — Sakura Sushi — is similar to what was there previously.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">While Sakura Sushi doesn’t have an overall feel of being brand new, there is definitely something interesting and unique happening there. Even though things besides sushi are offered there, they shouldn’t be your reason to go the restaurant. Not only is the sushi at this place top notch, it also may be some of the most reasonably priced versions of it in the Lake Area.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Two of my favorite rolls from the place are, most likely, the most simple — the salmon roll and the Philadelphia roll.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Both items take a bit of care to prepare and if a chef is careless or just plain too busy to pay close attention, these rolls are the ones that highlight that lack of effort.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The salmon at Sakura is f</span><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">resh, light and filled with natural flavor. The fish is sliced to perfection and the rice is thick while being both fluffy and airy — a perfect mix.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The Philadelphia roll comes with big flavors of fresh smoked salmon, cream cheese and avocado. Together and rolled masterfully, the roll has a darker, more substantial taste than many of the other rolls. Also, the fact that it comes with items that are familiar and palatable for a lot of people only makes the roll more appealing.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">All of the rolls range in price from $3 to $4. The cost make it nearly impossible not to want to go to Sakura and just order the whole menu.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Can you now see why I think of Sakura as a beard on a familiar face? There aren’t any monumental changes being made at the location. The outside is a little different. And that means the restaurant has a little bit more of a cool factor and its confidence, especially in the kitchen, has grown exponentially.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Good for Sakura. I’m not one to cheer for a place with a new look beard but I think I can make an exception here. For the restaurant, though. Just for the restaurant. All my friends with beards, I still don’t like you.</span><p>(<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Sakura Sushi located at 211 West Prien Lake Road</span>)</p>