Sophia Echavarria
Google
This was a great night of food. They're still finding their rhythm when it comes to serving, but they are earnest in wanting you to have a good time.
We had the
Salmon grilled rice ball
-salmon is so buttery and silky. That depth of flavor from the grilled soy sauce, the crunchy exterior of the rice ball, great contrasts of textures and complimentary flavors
Chicken thigh skewer
Basic, but still very delicious, tender, and juicy
Pork belly skewer
I don't know how else to explain this except as somehow perfectly chewy and creamy. The meat to fat ratio is simply luscious
Eggplant skewer
Vegetarian friend said no complaints, but wouldn't get them again
Calamari and potato tempura
Interesting contrast of temperatures and textures, but ultimately not something I'd get again. Maybe if it was heirloom/more flavorful tomatoes, maybe if the tempura wasn't mixed in with the wet stuff. But it was still flavorful and well seasoned
Chikuwa tempura
Just a fun, chewy, tasty, savory bite of food, perfect paired with cold beer
Corn ribs tempura
Hard to eat, I don't know why I always think the cob will be edible, but sweet, juicy, slightly salty corn will never not be delightful. Also perfect with cold beer.
Matcha Brownie and Azuki ice cream
Just incredible. I would call the matcha Brownie more of a cake, it's a very light texture/crumb. But that being said, the thick stickiness of the azuki paste gives a similar "stick to the teeth" consistency a fudgy dessert can give you, so it works out. The ice cream is a little icy in texture, but still a great flavor, giving a similar vegetale freshness in the mouth as strawberry ice cream. And it's, of course, not too sweet
And the HOKKAIDO SCALLOPS WITH CUMIN BUTTER
This was a remarkable bite of food. The cumin butter and sweetness of the scallop go together so so well. They play off of each other and nicely and cleanly lead into the fresh ocean taste of the scallop at the end, almost like the butter dissolved into an ocean taste. The cumin is not bitter or over powering. And the choice to include the whole of the scallop instead of a more trimmed/sanitized version gives it more texture. You have to sit and chew for a while, but the flavor is changing the whole time, so it's worth doing so.
The decor and atmosphere are quite plain, but it doesn't matter, because it's clear the thoughtfulness and effort and creativity and care have gone into the food. And when the food is this thoughtful, you really just need a clean, friendly place to enjoy it. There's something liberating and utilitarian about that. Frees up your brain for more flavor.