Great Sushi, Forgotten Wine List
Eastlake · Chula Vista · Japanese, Sushi · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 26, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Love Boat Sushi is clearly an afterthought — six labels deep, heavy on house-branded bottles, and the kind of thing you glance at once before ordering a Sapporo instead. Nobody came here to drink Merlot with their Dragon Roll, and the list doesn't try to convince you otherwise.
Six wines. That's the whole program. Three of them are Love Boat house labels — a Chardonnay, a Merlot, and a Cabernet Sauvignon — which tells you everything about the ambition level here. The one bright spot is the Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc, a coastal California producer that at least gestures toward pairing logic with seafood. The Takara Premium Plum Wine is a nod to Japanese tradition and the only bottle on the list that feels intentional. There are no bubbles, no Riesling, no Grüner Veltliner — you know, the wines that actually love sushi.
All six bottles pour by the glass, which sounds generous until you realize the list is only six bottles. Rotation appears nonexistent — this list looks like it hasn't changed since the restaurant opened. If you're drinking wine here, your entire universe is these six options.
Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc — Unknown
The only wine on the list with any real affinity for seafood. Bright, citrus-driven Sauvignon Blanc and a plate of sashimi is a respectable combo — and Seaglass is a legit producer, not a house label. It's the only pick we'd make without hesitation.
Takara Premium Plum Wine
Most people at a sushi restaurant walk right past plum wine like it's a joke, but Takara is the real deal — a sweet, slightly tart pour that actually bridges the gap between soy-glazed fish and dessert. Order it cold, lean into it, and stop pretending you're above it.
Love Boat Cabernet Sauvignon
A house-label Cab at a sushi restaurant is the wine equivalent of ordering a well bourbon at a craft cocktail bar. Bold tannins, big red fruit — none of which plays nicely with delicate fish. You're not doing yourself any favors here.
Seaglass Sauvignon Blanc + Baked Mussels
The citrus and grassy snap of the Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the richness of the baked mussels and holds up to whatever garlic-butter situation is going on. It's not a revelation, but it's the closest thing to a smart pairing this list can offer.
❌ The Bottom Line
Love Boat Sushi is a genuinely fun spot, but the wine list is purely functional — six bottles, no clear vision, and no reason to pick wine over beer or sake. Come for the combo platters, skip the Cab, and maybe grab a Sapporo.
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