Furusato Sushi ~ Honolulu

Every time we go to Hawaii, my family and I always go to Furusato Sushi in search of late night eats, pre-departure meals, and bento boxes for the beach. From when I was a child until now, the decor, staff, and style of Furusato Sushi hasn't changed much. One this is for sure thought, they do have a bunch of loyalist visitors from all around the world. During this most recent trip while I was waiting in the characteristic line that's generated in front of Furusato, I met a couple from Australia's Gold Coast who said that Furusato Sushi is always their first stop whenever they land in Hawaii. >< Us too! It's a pretty innocuous sushi restaurant nestled right next to an ABC store and housed within the Hyatt towers, but you'll find a line out the door almost every night.

One thing you'll notice immediately upon walking in, is that Furusato is small and that there are only about two to three waiters busing a sushi bar area and the main floor. This is a pretty general estimate, but they probably only have about eight tables that can sit four people in the main dining area. As a result of the good food and the tiny dining area, there are often 10-15 minute waits to be seated. However, I assure you it is totally worth it.

The waiters are friendly,efficient and you'll be able to recognize them quickly because they're all wearing black slacks and blue polo shirts. ;) They'll immediately offer you something to drink, tea, water or beer, and be back to take your order pretty quickly. The space is definitely learning towards the clean and efficient side of restauranteering and the decor of the restaurant leans on the minimalistic simple side. There won't be any ostentatious flags, decorative screens, or sake bottles lying around, but instead no-nonsense black chairs and tables with a efficient and streamlined sushi bar.

The menu is actually pretty simple as well, they have some larger dishes for sharing, more complex sushi rolls, and basic "don" or rice bowl items (my father's favourite has always been the Aloha Don). Despite the relatively simple menu you'll fine all the dishes executed to perfection. Yfor mou'll have a hard time finding simple, cost efficient, casual sushi that's fresher the Furusato's dishes. I highly recommend this little store. <3 It's a well loved and frequently visited sushi joint by my family and I'd love to share it with you guys. =)

Onto the meal!

Da Zheng Lang Man or 大政浪漫

I wanted to introduce you guys to another a fancy pants sushi restaurant in Taipei. =P This is also my last Taipei review. Wooo! Unfortunately I was a dolt and completely forgot to bring my good DSLR camera and my superhero dad stepped in with his android phone. As a result the photos have that sort of awkward cellular phone quality about them...and not the "beautiful hipstamatic prints from the iPhone" type quality. However, let me preface this particular blog post with this singlehandedly had to be the most decadent meal that I had in Taipei. How? Why? Where? With whom? Let me explain.

The most viewed post on my blog is the restaurant review on Kitcho, my favorite sushi restaurant in Taipei. HOWEVER, my aunt and my father have a penchant for taking me out on gastronomical adventures, and I'm not one to complain about them. ;) My aunt bet that she could replace Kitcho as the reigning sushi place in Taipei from my father's list and thus took us to Dàzhèng làngmàn/大政浪漫.  A sushi restaurant located by the Zhong Xiao Fu Xing metro stop (忠孝復興), nestled into one of the back alleyways of the Zhong Shan District, that prides itself on remembering customers, offering high levels of service, and fresh delicious food.  

Green Beans and Leeks in a Miso sauce

The design of the restaurant was a stark contrast to the narrow alley it was located in. It was an angular, cement, glass, and raffia creation that brought an immense amount light and elegance that seemed a bit out of place in the narrow walkway of the alley. The interior design of the restaurant was equal, if not more, elegant and lovely. The whole restaurant was dim with focused mood lighting on tables, in the sitting area and behind the sushi bar, while diners in the larger sitting area are given privacy with divisions of frosted glass. There were private rooms available, but I believe you have to call ahead to reserve one. The sushi bar, where we were located that night, was made our of a dark reddish brown hardwood that was lacquered over with gloss. The whole restaurant incorporates a color palate of dusty green, dark brown, opaque beiges, and rusty reds. While the decor and the artwork is minimalist, the largest art piece that they had was a large stone wall mount behind the sushi bar.

Sake Dispenser

My auntie was a regular at this restaurant and the second we entered, the hostess, sushi chef, and busboy looked up and called her name. We were ushered to the bar seating and were immediately offered hand towels, tea, and a small amuse bouche. The meal that followed was everything sushi should be, equal parts traditional and creative, fresh, light, and surprising. They offer three tasting menus you can choose from with differing price points the first rests at 2200 and unfortunately I can't remember the other two but, I've heard that the menu can go up to 22000NT with additional orders and alcohol.

From Left to Right: Shredded Radish, Ika (squid), Pickled Radish Two Ways 

I'll let the photos speak for themselves and add commentary when I feel it's necessary. Thank you for coming and enjoy!

Kitcho - Taipei

Kitcho. Kitcho, Kitcho, Kitcho. I can sing praises on high about this sushi restaurant. It's definitely my favorite place in Taipei for sushi. If you can't make it to Tokyo....go here instead. It is a very delicious (and perhaps cheaper?) alternative.

To me this place represents the clean, trendy, modern sushi bar that pays homage to the legacy of sushi and yet, isn't afraid to take the cuisine in a new direction. The decor reflects that ideal: with clean lines, soft ambient lighting, and modern yet delicate artwork. However, in contrast to the rest of the restaurant, the sushi bar fully lit, with clean bright light. The contrast in lighting make the restaurant reminiscent of a small theater. A stage where the actors, in this case sushi chefs, can perform and a modest auditorium in which spectators can observe.

And boy do they observe.

Although there are two rooms in the back for a more formal seating, the majority of the restaurant is dedicated to bar seating. For good reason! The chefs are completely in their element while behind the bar. Watching them meld traditional sushi ideals with modern techniques, you'll be completely entranced by their knife acrobatics, wielding of the kitchen torch, and their precision in which they use their chopsticks.

Each piece of sushi and each slice of sashimi are are meticulously prepared for consumption. I can guarantee you that if you dine here, you will be completely satisfied.

As a diner you won't just be impressed by the cuisine, but also by the wonderful service and casual banter. I never once had to ask for a refill on tea and the waitstaff cleaned away empty plates and cups quietly, efficiently, and politely.

They also provide you with the essential tools to eat sushi: chopsticks, soy sauce plate, a finger wipes, and a nice hot cup of tea.

This is a photo heavy post...so click on the jump to see the meal! <3 

Sushi Chronicles 寿司清 ~ Tokyo

I love my family~<3 My dad came to visit this past week and said it was his “daddy duty” to spoil me for a bit. My dad is crazy. In the good way of course! He loves to eat and he’s become quite a restaurant critic, almost embarrassingly so, and he’s taken great pains to become "a regular” at restaurants in different cities that he’s particularly fond of.

Mom and Dad!

One of the places that we frequent quite often is a small sushi bar in Tokyo by the infamous Tsukiji Fish Market. It’s quite small and only contains a sushi “bar” and a second floor, but be forewarned…it is always jam-packed. My family and I often have to wait 10-15 minutes on the little wooden bench outside until the long stream of local regulars and patrons finish eating. Sometimes if we’re hungry and impatient we get directed politely to their second restaurant down the street. The decor of 寿司清, Sushi Sei, is very traditional with a sliding door, gridded windows, plenty of natural light, and an all pine sushi bar. The sushi chefs are amazingly amicable and they always have amazing banter with every single patron…even those who are not fluent in Japanese *cough cough* us. Although the California Roll, Dynamite Roll, and the Alaskan Roll have a soft spot in my heart….I really do love and maybe even prefer the “traditional” version of sushi.  I’m not particularly squeamish of raw things or the slightly alien creatures that the fishermen dredge out of the sea….so I have no qualms of eating them. =P

Every time I go to a sushi bar I’m always amazed at the delicacy and artistry of the sushi chefs. If I had to have an emergency operation and there were only a pirate, a dog, a sushi chef and a police man around…I’d choose the sushi chef to cut me open. ::lol:: The skill in which they wield their knives and the delicate aerobatics they use to slice sashimi, to put the nigiri or the appetizers together never cease to floor me.  Every little piece of sashimi, nigiri, the various tsumami are so beautifully presented and perfectly put together they’re like tiny little treasures on my plate. And the taste! Freshness and simplicity. Beautiful. 
My father has passed down to me the sushi rules of our family:

1. Never Talk About the Sushi Rules
2. Never Talk About the Sushi Rules
3. No more jokes about Fight Club =P
4. Don’t be afraid to try new things
5. Make sure that these “new things” are fresh ;P

6. Order “omakase” (chef’s choice) if you can!
7. If there’s no set menu, try your best to eat the “lightest” fish (Ex. Flounder) first then move to the “oilier” fishes (Ex.Yellow Tail)
8. Never EVER mix your wasabi and your soy sauce together, instead spread your desired amount of wasabi on each individual slice of fish
9. Enjoy yourself!

Niu Sushi Bar

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I am pleased! I like to eat. Niu Sushi is definitely delicious, fresh, and...expensive. I'm lucky enough to have eaten there twice already! The first time celebrating my father's birthday, and the second celebrating my father's return to Taipei. =)

Unluckily enough, the first time that my family ate there I had forgotten to bring my camera to document the meal and the event. The second time I remembered my camera... however I often forgot to take pictures of what I was eating. Ha, ha, ha. =___=  I am the ultimate fatty. Anway, here are the remains of a delicious, delicious meal. My dad, my dad's friend, and I actually ate much, much more than this. I'll try and be more diligent about recording my days. =P

Uni Sashimi with mountain potato strands and caviar, all atop a shiso leaf! 

Fresh, crunchy Ika served with yuzu and ponzu sauce

Charred Octopus

Uni Rice, cooked inside the sea urchin shell

Uni at the bottom! Apparently, this is only available one month out of the year....

Fois Gras and Anago Sushi

The Uni Rice and the Fois Gras sushi were my favorites. =) After dinner we all headed to a tiny cafe, I have no idea where it is, to drink their famous "Steamed Milk Coffee". Apparently the milk is steamed for six hours before being incorporated into the coffee. For a very small cup, the price tag goes for around $500 NT dollars.

It was so good. IT WAS SO GOOD. END.