Five Things: Jacky's Waterplace & Sushi Bar, Providence

Five Things: Jacky's Waterplace & Sushi Bar, Providence

 

The long-anticipated opening of Jacky's Waterplace & Sushi Bar let Irene blow through, and then the upscale Asian eatery overlooking the Waterplace basin was open and ready for its close-up. Which means Sean DeBobes was right there, at the front of the line. Here are the five things he wants you to know.

One. Sweet & mighty.

Jacky seems to follow this mantra when crafting his cocktails. The Ruby Red Fusion with Absolute Ruby Red, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur and grapefruit juice proved this at first sip. This tart, sweet and refreshing mix is sure to perk you up at first and sedate you before you finish. I couldn’t help but sample my friend’s cocktail too. The Lotus Blossom with lychee vodka, plum wine, pear liqueur, lime and lychee nut had a super sweet start, an almost creamy middle and a surprisingly aromatic finish. Love the evolution.

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Two. Start cold.

On a warm day, starting out with a cold Kanikama salad is perfection. Finely diced crab meat, tobiko and cucumber were tossed in a mayonnaise-based dressing with a subtle hint of heat. The theatrically plated starter

led the charge for an evening of unique plating styles. I decided to try a perpetual favorite of mine, Nim Chow, as well. The fresh Vietnamese spring roll was stuffed with lettuce, bean sprouts, chicken, basil and rice noodles. Such a simple dish reminds me of how tactile food can be. Tender, cold noodles – crunchy bean sprouts – warm chicken – a punch of fresh herbs. The nuances are what really makes this dish.

Three. Scorpion - roll not bowl.

The offerings at Jacky’s are very diverse.  It would be a challenge for a few people to try something from every corner of this menu. Don’t leave without trying the sushi. I decided to go big, ordering the Scorpion roll. This giant plate pairs two popular rolls, the spider and the dancing eel. The dancing eel was particularly interesting.  Shrimp tempura, eel, avocado, scallion, masago and cucumber combine to create some serious contrasting textures. The sweet eel sauce blended with spicy mayonnaise left me wondering why I have ever dipped my sushi in soy sauce.

Four. Pick your scene.

Whether you are popping in for an after-work cocktail and sushi roll or planning a private party, Jacky’s has you covered. Several seating areas including a bar, sushi bar, patio lounge, two private dining rooms and the

large formal seating area ensure that no matter the reason for your visit there will be an ambience available for you.

Five. Spice Duck.

Come hungry or bring a friend for this entrée. A huge portion of perfectly roasted duck breast received a glaze of cognac and citron sauce. This sweet and crispy dish is sure to please many palates with its tangy finish. A surprising star on the plate was the wonderfully prepared taro root. Lightly fried, this side was a welcomed escape from the usual carb-suspects.

Would I go back? Yes. The price, the place, the variety…  I have to go back.

Hit “Save” Jacky's Waterplace & Sushi Bar, 200 Exchange St, Providence. 383-5000. Mon-Thurs 11:30a-10:30p, Fri until midnight. Saturday 1p-12a, Sun 4p-10:30p

Follow Sean's reviews and get behind-the-scenes postings on Facebook, here.