Susumu K.
Yelp
It has been few years since I last saw Mr. Yamazaki (he left Umezono as the sushi chef, he told me that his background is "Youshoku" which is the western influenced style of Japanese food, so he went working for a Italian restaurant that specialize in home made pasta), the sushi chef at Sushi Yoko had told me that he is currently at Yellow Tail in Kennesaw.
After a long day in Chattanooga for sight seeing, we decided to stop at Yellow tail to visit Mr. Yamazaki. He greeted me with a smile, he told me that we haven't seen each other in 4 years (I've know him for 15 years).
I asked for "Omakase sushi" which is a chef 's choice, 18 piece nigiri-zushi and 2 rolls, quite nice for the two of us... Mr. Yamazaki the magician of sushi or more like a machine gun, while he casually talks to us in Japanese, matter of minutes he makes 18 piece nigiri, and 4 rolls to go for the take-out customer, but every piece is beautiful, no short cuts, it's like an art. event he rolls are picture perfect... a customer comes in and orders 2 orders of omakase with uni, he panics a little but within few minutes the order is out... and it looks beautiful on the plate.
His Miso-soup, I missed his miso soup, broth made from shell-fish, nothing compares to his miso-soup (well... my mother and grandmother makes a mean miso-soup)
We ordered "Kirin Beer" and ordered 2 more rolls and 4 piece nigiri, I believe "Shimesaba" seared mackerel shows the true talent of sushi chef (many non-Japanese owned restaurants tends to cheat and purchase pre-made shimesaba, store bought shimesaba usually sits in the vinegar too long, so the meat becomes tough, but if it's home made like Mr. Yamazaki's shimesaba is soft and melts in my mouth.
He started talking to me about how he makes his curry, being he is a youshoku chef, I had to try his beef curry, but I ordered it to go. And also told me to try the katsu-don next time I come over.
I had my magical reunion with Mr. Yamazaki and most delicious food, I thanked for his wonderful meals and left the restaurant.
PS: Next day I had the curry for lunch at home, microwaved it, it was a very nice Japanese style thick curry with a little acid flavor from using fruits, It's not spicy like Indian, Japanese curries are tasty, mild and thick, great with hot steamed rice.
I'm looking forward to the next visit to see him at Yellow Tail.