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Zato Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar

9090 Skillman St, Suite 190A; Lake Highlands; 214.341.5321

New New New New!!!!

Zato Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar is out in Lake Highlands. Zato is presided over by a Bangkok native who immigrated to earn an MBA at the U. of Dallas, then, after learning sushi-making at two Tarrant County restos, was convinced by his aunt (who runs Addison's Jasmine Uniquely Chinese) to open this tiny, subdued sleeve, which sports just 12 tables and a raw bar so short, it'll freak out on you if you don't call it "horizontally challenged".

Thai/southern Chinese dishes include apps like crab-coated Shrimp in a Blanket and Sweet Corn Patties, soups (coconut milk Tom Kha Gai, spicy seafood Po Tak), fried rice (Thai Herbal Chicken/Curry/Basil/Pineapple...), noodles (from Pad Thai to spinach-based Yen Ta Foh w/ tofu/shrimp tempura/fish/shrimp balls), and entrees like the fried chicken/beef/spinach/carrot/cabbage Rama Long Song (the chicken-only version's called the "Free Bird"). Sushi rolls trend towards the spicy, and run from the Crunchy Rainbow (shrimp tempura/crab topped w/ tuna, salmon, ebi & avocado), to the Godzilla (Cali roll w/ white fish baked in spicy mayo), to the Zato Tower (sauced, forkable layers of rice, crab, avocado, spicy tuna & fish eggs), to the crab & cream cheese Tear in Heaven, whose jalapenos and wasabi caviar will cause you to make a babyface.

Zato's BYOB for now, but're planning to bring in beer, wine and sake -- sure to provide comfort, because when cream-cheese-mayo sushi's made you too fat for synchronized gymnastics, there's always alcohol.