Already described in eloquent detail by Fatemeh and Alice, and previously visited with Alice last month, our revisit to Yuzu last week presented an impossibly detailed and delicious venture into the finest Japanese food I have ever had. I think I might have to hire Alice to accompany me to all future Japanese food outings; to have someone who knows the food and all it's ingredients and preparation really enhances the dining experience.
My favorite dish of the meal was the Nanban-zuke (literally Nan/Southern Ban/ Barbarian Zuke/Marinaded). A chilled dish, the snapper was lightly fried and garnished with a mild, sweet pepper, called Shishito, and then it was surrounded by a light soy-vinegar broth. It was perfectly salty and utterly scrumptious. Plus it's called Barbarian Zuke which totally rules (for the name origin see the link above).
We were also served an incredible plate of fried karei, that cross-eyed fish known to you and me as flounder, complete with deep-fried skeleton. While I have eaten, and love, soft-shell crab, eating the deep-fried bones of a fish was a new experience. And what a tasty skeleton it was, crispy and salty, like potato chips!
Can you say 8 different sakes? Well, I could if I could remember what they were called and if I could read Japanese. All I remember is my favorite, Ginban.
Next time you go to a sushi restaurant, I recommend calling ahead if you can and asking for the omakase ("entrusting" or chef's choice). Let them know any food restrictions you have and then let them prepare a meal for you. They know what is freshest and they know their specialties. It is a great way to really enjoy the best that a chef has to offer.
Yuzu Sushi and Grill
54 W. 37th Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 358-0298
Fish bone potato chips.
Seriously, who'da thunk it?
Posted by: Fatemeh | April 04, 2005 at 11:00 AM