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Despite being landlocked and nowhere near the ocean, Blu DTR in downtown Rogers has the freshest sushi and fish flown in multiple times a week.
A charming hole-in-the-wall
In late 2022, Barry Meneses and his wife, Ali Furuseth, looked at the old City Hall building and fire station in Historic Downtown Rogers and determined that this would be the place for the city’s best-tasting sushi.
Unsurprisingly, Blu DTR became a fast hit and gathering spot for the locals. All you have to do is pull up to the unassuming location with the charming patio stuffed with flowers and stringing lights, and immediately, you feel like this is the place you’ve been looking for all your life.
Blu DTR is expanding into the City Hall space next door to accommodate more diners and elevate their bar experience. If you’re lucky, the weather is beautiful, and you find yourself with the garage door pulled up, a slight breeze, and nothing but time on your hands.
You’ll need it after all; there are tempting foods to explore!
Let’s start!
Most Japanese restaurants offer the usual suspects: Miso Soup, Undo, and seaweed salad. And yes, you’ll find those options here, as well as cool and warm shared plates. From Blu’s Wild Salmon Dip to Aoi Japanese Nachos to DTR Carpaccio, anything you choose will get you started.
I love traditional dishes because they allow me to quickly assess the diner as I mentally compare it with other places I’ve been to. Are you the same? If so, I recommend trying the Miso Soup. This unassuming simple fare of broth, seaweed, mushrooms, scallions, and tofu is DYNAMITE. I would be content if I came here for the rest of my life just for the Miso Soup and the Japanese Omelet (we’ll talk about that later).
It’s sushi time
We’ve gone this long without discussing what Blu DTR is best known for sushi. Barry and Ali are no strangers to fresh fish. They own Blu Fresh Fish Marketplace in Bentonville.
In my experience, there are adventurous sushi types and those who stick to their favorites. Either works, and Blu DTR has you covered. If you’re adventurous, do yourself a favor and ask the Chef to surprise you. If you’re like me and have food restrictions, I highly recommend the White Tuna (Shiro Maguro Nigiri) with two pieces of rice.
There’s something for everyone.
Okay, okay. There is a third type of sushi folk, and they are called the “No Thanks.” If that’s you or someone in your family, Blu DTR has soups, salads, and udon options that are truly amazing. Or, go for Wild Cod Fish N’ Chips or a Japanese Curry Bowl, a delicious combination of carrots, mushrooms, onions, sushi rice, and your choice of protein. I don’t usually go with tofu, but this time, I did, and now it’s my new favorite. Perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked. Well done, Blu DTR!
Oh, do you remember when I talked about that Japanese Omelet? Its official name is the Tamago Nigiri, and it is served on two pieces of rice. This “egg” type of sushi (Nigiri) is individually made to order in a special pan and stirred with chopsticks until set. When it arrives at your table, stop eating everything else, slowly pause, and savor every bite of this dish! It’s a bargain at $5 a plate, so order one for yourself and one for anyone else at the table.
Lyndi Fultz helps local foodies explore their Arkansas backyard so that they can be in-the-foodie-know. Follow her on Instagram at @nwafoodie and learn how to "eat happily" at https://simplejoyfulfood.com.
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