Overpriced and unappealing

Bird Rock Sushi and Oyster and Sushi Bar took over the old Station Sushi, opening at the end of the summer. On paper, it seems like a great idea. Who doesn’t love mariscos and sushi under one roof? They even have proof of concept in Baja Oyster and Sushi Bar, down in IB, which must have been successful enough to spur the opening of a duplicate locale in La Jolla.

But good ideas don’t always make for good realities, and the reality of poor mariscos is a killer for BROSB. Unappealing aguachiles, funky octopus tacos, and overzealously fried oysters don’t make much of a meal.

Even the fish consommé doled out beforehand has a too-fishy funk to it, rather than the zesty freshness of the styrofoam cups o’ soup handed down from the average mariscos truck.

The moderately chic decor and fully commendable service can’t justify $12 burritos and quesadillas, $15 seven seas soups, or $17 plates of tilapia. Nobody should pay that much for frozen, farm-raised fish when a $0.99 fish taco or three gets the job done better. Anyone who wants to overpay for underwhelming food should hurry on up to Bird Rock. Everyone else should steer clear.