Steph S.
Yelp
I enjoyed several Japanese dishes on a recent evening at the sushi counter. Normally, a complimentary amuse buche is handed over as a greeting when you sit at the sushi bar. Not here. Why?
We started with fried pork dumplings. I usually like them pan-fried, but my husband ordered them incorrectly, and they came out piping hot, juicy, and crispy. I remarked that fully fried is scrumptious if prepared properly and not overcooked. I did wish the dipping bowl of gyoza sauce were bigger. It was hard to get the amount I wanted.
Next, I had a sashimi appetizer prepared by an outstanding sushi chef. Large, chilled slices of salmon (buttery and silky in texture and taste), toro, and yellowtail were heaven on a plate for me. I often find that sushi bars (not the Omakase kind popping up all over town) are lackluster and failing in freshness and precision in their execution. Not so here. I ordered amaebi sashimi, raw, sweet shrimp normally plated with flash-fried heads (my favorite part of the dish), and the small shrimp bodies separated. Yama's amaebi shrimp was not the teeny sweet, small variety I am accustomed to, and the temperature was not cool enough to my liking, but I enjoyed the dish, nonetheless.
Next, we shared yakitori and negimaki. Both dishes were outstanding. The yakitori was sKewered with scallion and doused with a sweet, thickened soy glaze. The negimaki was prime beef rolled around the scallion cut, similar to a sushi roll with a thin, mildly sweet sauce beneath the beef rolls. Each dish came out slowly but in a good way to savor each plate. Some diners want their food to come out quickly. I feel differently about this. I enjoyed the dining experience.
I liked the look and feel of the atmosphere. There were tables of Japanese patrons and families, young 30-somethings, and plenty of banter that allowed you to hear your conversation.
We imbibed in 2 large hot sakes (next time, I'd go for a cool variety), one large Asahi beer, ate a sashimi appetizer, the amaebi, a spicy tuna roll with extra crunchies, and the two hot appetizers. Our bill came to $111. Not terrible for how much we ate. I was full, but if pushed, I could have eaten through my wall of pain.