e*star LA

Garden Market Thursdays With A View at Yamashiro

e*star — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:48:08 +0000

To the Garden Market

Do you have a regular 9-5 that makes you unable to make it to the daytime weekday farmer’s market in the neighborhood? Looking for an outdoor rendezvous with a view that makes it possible to simultaneously support local growers and vendors? Never considered farmer’s markets especially romantic (well – why would you)?

Spring Hill Cheese Company: Generous with samples

The Thursday night Yamashiro Garden Market may be your answer – especially as our “Spring Forward” daylight savings comes up this weekend, thereby making our days longer as the temps get warmer. Last night my girlfriend accompanied me as we visited the second-ever Garden Market on the Yamashiro (“mountain palace” in Japanese) grounds above Franklin Avenue and met up with Lindsay and Julie of LAist. While the Hollywood and Highland traffic may affect your journey there, once you’re on the hill, all traffic will seem miles (ok, at least a mile) away. It’s a quaint space with hands-down the best view you will ever see at a market and the budding weekly gathering seemed to be well on its way to being a go-to Thursday event.

Worried about parking? Valet with Garden Market validation will run you only $2 – plus tip, of course. Not bad – especially by Hollywood standards.

You even have the option to come hungry without expecting to have to shell out major Yamashiro-level dough. The restaurant provides hot food, with your choice of two black cod, korean shortrib or duck tacos which come with chips and salsa (even wasabi guacamole) for $6. Or get 3 tacos for $9. Executive Chef Brock Kleweno served them up himself last night. The black cod tacos were the hands-down favorite in my group – even though I had forgone them since I coincidentally had black cod for lunch. What are the chances? The wasabi guac was another favorite – not exactly sinus-clearing but I always love guac with a little punch.

Korean Shortrib Taco, Duck Taco

Eight words: Bulgarini Goat Cheese Gelato with embedded cocoa nibs. Do also try the Blood Orange for that tart craving. Unfortunately, I had been looking forward to olive oil gelato thanks to a Twitter convo that had been happening over the past few days, but it wasn’t available last night so now I have another reason to return.

I spent the most time at the stand featuring Spring Hill Cheese, whose creamery is located in Petaluma, and walked away with garlic cheese curds ($5). Also in attendance was J&P West Coast Seafood from San Pedro, the Breadman, Ace Ranch Certified Organic Producer, Klauses Bees’ Raw Honey, Gourmet Blends’ Barrel-Aged Organic Balsamics & Oils and Cobbler Mania amongst other local producers and vendors.

A live jazz band successfully provided a festive atmosphere in spite of the still-growing attendance. I can see only more people venturing uphill for the unique experience and view that is the Garden Market as the days get longer and the temps get warmer. What’s key: Their outdoor event liquor license is on the way.

Thursdays

5 – 9 PM

Valet $2 with validation

Garden Market at Yamashiro
1999 N. Sycamore Avenue
Los Angeles, CA‎ 90068
323.466.5125‎

Garden Market with a view

Hudson House Celebrates 1st Anniversary on Sunday

e*star — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:40:22 +0000

Photo credit to FoodGPS

This weekend, Hudson House in Redondo Beach turns one. To toast the occasion, the also-owners of Beechwood in Venice will be welcoming all who wish to help celebrate with a complimentary Hudson Ale or a Blood Orange Chinaco Tequila Cocktail on Sunday. You can also expect complimentary bar bites to accompany your free drink. Win logoed Hudson House apparel while you’re there. And live music from a local DJ will entertain guests all evening – so groove along in your seat or start up your own dance floor – no one will mind.

A party with a free drink and free food? If you’re in the South Bay, you’d be remiss to snooze on this one.

Sunday, March 14th

4 PM – Close

Hudson House
514 North Pacific Coast Hwy
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310.798.9183

@HudsonHouseBar

Not Exactly High Tea: Alice in Wonderland Party at The W Hollywood

e*star — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:49:27 +0000

Getting my nails did in OPI's Mad As A Hatter (Photo ©Disney)

Cherry chocolate macaroon

It may have been another Friday night in Hollywood, but instead of cozying up home with an episode of Law & Order stored on my DVR I was actually out on the town, relieved that there weren’t any insane crowds to brave. So far. It was my first in-person peek at The W Hollywood – open for a couple months now – and the occasion was Disney Living’s Alice in Wonderland party in The Lobby.

Red Queen

For the occasion, a pop-up display featuring Alice in Wonderland-inspired dresses designed by Sue Wong and jewelry by Tom Binn was erected to last the weekend. Characters dressed as The Rabbit, Red Queen, White Queen, Alice herself and others I probably didn’t even recognize were either super festive and dressed to theme accordingly, or were paid to act the part. I wasn’t quite clear on that, but they definitely helped with the Alice atmosphere – what with them traipsing and scampering around the posh, art deco lobby space.

No matter – there were signature cocktails to be sampled (aply named “Down the Rabbit Hole” and more) and consumed at the bar. Initially, I was dismayed the main liquors used were vodka – twice - and acai-distilled spirit in the cocktails but thankfully one of the vodka cocktails wasn’t too sweet. Yes, Alice in Wonderland is very girly, and accordingly – vodka is apparently feminine.

Tara the Cat, The Rabbit & Alice

We soaked up our libations with passed appetizers; true to form, Lindsay, Maya and I stood by the hallway to pounce on the kitchen-exiting servers with their passed trays. Subtle.

Also on theme was the Bliss station, where the resident 3rd floor spa promoted their services with mini-but-awesome neck & shoulder massages and mini manicures furnished with OPI Alice in Wonderland nail polishes (I chose a multi-colored, glittery color). My only complaint: My free massage wasn’t long enough.

Tom Binn Tea Necklace

Fearing an impending sugar crash a few drinks into the party and a few trays after the h’ors doeurves had transitioned into dessert, we spied the fully-occupied bar at the beautiful new Delphine restaurant and 40 minute wait for a table before making the walk to Umami Burger.

What a fun party with a great pop-up display. My favorite was definitely Sue Wong’s White Queen-inspired dress. To many more one-off events and legit reasons to visit The W Hollywood. As for Delphine, my first taste will have to wait until another day…

The Hungry Cat Is Older Than My Cat: Last Day of Half-Off Specials Today

e*star — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:57:14 +0000

Photo credit to Atwater Village Newbie on Flickr

The bad news is, I rarely blog on the weekends. The good news is, the second of two days of The Hungry Cat’s 5-year Anniversary Celebration is today, all day - therefore, there’s still time to take advantage.

The celebratory special isn’t shabby, either. How is 50% off specialty cocktails, draft beer and all bottles of wine?! Though I can’t say I’m a regular, I’ve rarely had a bad cocktail at The Hungry Cat. Perhaps the only thing that would make tonight better is if they had simultaneously made this one of their Steamed Blue Crab Nights!

And, according to their latest tweet, after 5:30 PM they will be featuring 50% off oysters (grilled ones typically run $15 for a half-dozen) ”and more”. And what exactly does that mean? Don’t look at me. Pop in to their Vine Street location to find out.

Hungry Cat’s 5-Year Anniversary

Today’s hours (special runs all day): 12 Noon – 11 PM

The Hungry Cat
1535 N. Vine Street
Hollywood, CA
323.462.2155

@thehungrycat

Matt Biancaniello Specialty Cocktails at Oscar Viewing Party at The Roosevelt

e*star — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:43:47 +0000

Roosevelt Hotel

Didn’t manage to fanagle your way into the Oscars? For all us commoners – or those who didn’t pass the background check – the next best thing is to corral friends together for a viewing party across the street. The Roosevelt Hotel will be setting up screens in the lobby, Dakota and 25 Degrees for your viewing pleasure. And before I send you into the flustercluck that is Hollywood on Oscars night, just be aware of the street closures in the area and be sure to carpool or Metro it on in.

The best part is most definitely getting to try special Oscars-themed cocktails dreamt up by the famous Matt Biancaniello - all for $12 each. Typically drinks at The Library Bar run $16; call it an incentive. (Edit: Unfortunately, Matt will not be there personally as he’ll be on the other coast for a national mixology competition – but the recipes he leaves behind will tide us over until he comes back. )

“Up in the Air” Aviation – Gin, Maraschino Liqueur, fresh lemon juice and Creme de Violette

“The Hurt Locker” Breeder’s Cup – Hendricks Gin, cucumber, lime, agave, beet horseradish and salt

“Precious” Strawberries on Fire - Patron Silver, lime, lemon, strawberries, agave and jalapeno

“Inglorious Basterds” 10 Cane Old Fashioned – 10 Cane Rum, sugar, bitters, lemon and orange peel

“Avatar” Saving Grace - Basil Hayden’s bourbon, lemon, mint, Grand Marnier and ginger

They all sound so delicious, I’m going to have an extremely hard time not trying the whole menu. Metro, indeed!!

And to soak up all of Matt’s mixology magic, take a peep at the menu that will be served in the lobby – after the jump. (Or, head to 25 Degrees for a burger or Dakota for an entree – if that’s more your steez.)

Oscar Lobby Menu

SMALL BITES
Truffle Popcorn $10
Herb Popcorn $7
Caesar Salad $12/ $17 Chicken/ $20 Shrimp
Roasted Beet Salad $14
Crispy Confit Chicken Wings $12
Buffalo Style
Hummus $9
Marinated Olives and Warm Pita
Artisanal Cheese Board $18
Charcuterie $18
Crudite $9
Curry Mayo, Ranch

SANDWICHES/PIZZA
25 Degree Burger #1, #2, or #3 (Beef, Turkey, or Veggie) $14
Cuban Sandwich $14
Pulled Pork Sliders $14
Grilled Chicken Club $14
Truffle Quail Egg Pizza $20
Salume Pizza $18
Margarita Pizza $16

DESSERT
Cupcakes $9
(Red Velvet, Chocolate, Vanilla)
Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Lollipops (6pc.) $9
Apple Crustade a la Mode $9

Sunday, March 7, 2010

5 pm

Dakota Chop House, 25 Degrees and The Lobby at Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
7000 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.466.7000

Nobu Reinvents Tapas Menu With Omakase Option in Bar & Lounge

e*star — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:49:00 +0000

Lounge at Nobu West Hollywood

Perhaps you’re in the neighborhood but not in the mood to commit for the night. You want bites, not entrees – and were thinking something more elegant than bar food: The Nobu bar or lounge might be the perfect place to stop. They’ve recently made some additions to their already-popular menu – like Uni Dry Miso, Wagyu Dango Wasabi Saffron Aioli and Spanish Baby Octopus with Ginger Soy. Not to mention a brand new dessert menu. I will have to try that Suntory Whiskey Iced Cappuccino at least once!

And if you just want the best of what Chef Alex Becker has to offer you, you can always choose the 6-course omakase for $40. The first 3 courses are direct from the sushi bar followed by 2 dishes from the hot kitchen – and then dessert. Choices, choices…some of us are just more decisive than others.

Peep the new tapas menu below for the full range:

NOBU COLD TAPAS
Nobu Style Sashimi Tacos with Yellowfin Tuna, Lobster, or Crab 8
Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno 9
Whitefish Sashimi with Dried Miso 9
Yellowfin Tuna Tataki with Tosazu or Cilantro Dressing 9
Oysters with Nobu Sauces (Ponzu, Nobu, Maui) 10
Lobster Ceviche Butter Lettuce 12
Nobu New Style Sashimi – Salmon, Whitefish or Scallop 8
Uni Dry Miso 12
Tiradito – Whitefish, Scallop, or Octopus 8
Kanpachi Agua de Chile 12

SALADS
Baby Artichoke Salad with Crispy Leeks 7
Yellowfin Tuna Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing 10
Hearts of Palm Salad 7

NOBU HOT TAPAS
Wagyu and Foie Gras Gyozas 10
Scallop with Jalapeno Salsa 8

Miso Black Cod with Butter Lettuce 8
Uni Tempura 10
Rock Shrimp Tempura with Creamy Spicy or Butter Ponzu Sauce 7
Wagyu Tacos 10
“Fish n’ Chips” Nobu Style 8
Lamb Anticucho 9
Wagyu Dango Wasabi Saffron Aioli 10
Spanish Baby Octopus with Ginger Soy 12
Miso Marinated Grilled Black Tiger Shrimp 8
Foie Gras and Crispy Soba 9
Ginger Panko Encrusted Scallops 10

DESSERTS
Suntory Whiskey Iced Cappucino 9
PB & J Satandagi 6
Mochi Ice Cream 6
Harumakis 8

And don’t forget Nobu’s nightly drink specials, which run from 6 – 9 PM:

$6 wines
$7 mixed well drinks
$10 signature cocktails

The best part is that they’ve also kept the favorites – no matter how indulgent. Come on now…Wagyu and Foie Gras Gyozas?! I’ll see you in the lounge…

Chicken Showdown: Ludo Lefebvre vs. Eric Greenspan at The Foundry

e*star — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:40:03 +0000

Ludo Chicken (paired w/spicy-sweet sauce), Greenspan Chicken (paired w/honey), Goat Cheese & Tarragon Waffle

It was a special night at The Foundry on Melrose, and the occasion would be my long-delayed first visit to the restaurant. After all, this is where a lot of the LA comfort food scene originated – Chef Eric Greenspan (2008 Grilled Cheese Invitational winner and once-Iron Chef contestant) plans to open a grilled cheese-only restaurant. Of course.

Whiskey Trollope

Apparently, Ludo Lefebvre and wife Krissy were in the neighborhood only last Friday and decided to drop by The Foundry to say Hi to their friend. Chef Eric wasn’t there – to which Ludo said (tweeted), “I should take over the kitchen!” One thing led to another and lo and behold, Ludo didn’t exactly “take over” the kitchen so much as he agreed to drop in on The Foundry’s regularly-scheduled Bluesy Tuesday and showcase his chicken next to Chef Greenspan’s. Akasha Richmond was gracious enough to supply fryers for the special event – because we are all family here.

The news was announced (albeit with an incorrect date on the flyer) and a flurry reservations were made for the special Tuesday night. For $6 per plate, diners could enjoy a piece of Ludo’s rosemary chicken and a piece of Greenspan’s bone-in buttermilk chicken. Maya of ShopEatSleep and I were happy to fill a 6 PM 2-top reservation – the very beginning of the night – because we could only imagine how crazy and possibly backed-up the rest of the night would be. Case in point: LA Street Food Fest and the cluster around the Ludo truck.

Grilled Cheese With Talaggio Cheese, Raisin Bread, Apricot-caper Puree and Short Rib

Maya and I started out with an absolutely delicious Whiskey Trollope each - with ginger and pineapple – at a very reasonable $8. On top of that, the pineapple was a subtle finish and the drink overall wasn’t too sweet. Solid. The chorizo veloute with cornichon gelato on Jonathan Gold’s 99 Things to Eat in L.A. Before You Die brought me back to the bliss of Ludobites 2.0 (can’t let the leftovers from The Gold Standard – an event I missed – go to waste, now can we?).

Since we were on Greenspan’s turf, we couldn’t pass up the grilled cheese ($9) as a lead-in to the chicken. So we did exactly that – with telaggio cheese comprising the center of a raisin-breaded sammich, encased between layers of apricot-caper puree and short rib (extra $3). While the grilled sandwiches were delicious, we were so relieved we weren’t full – yet. A fried green tomato would accompany our fried bird and alleviate our consciences a tad in the area of poor nutritional indulgences while keeping with the Southern theme. Vegetable or fruit? I say it’s still up for debate – but the dish itself is a good punch in the mouth, complete with fresh tomato and arugula.

Fried Green Tomato

Now, the chicken. If it really came down to it – which would be the better chicken? I resisted Krissy’s question because I really loved both pieces of chicken. And I mean this sincerely. They aim for different things – and they score. The sauce the Ludo chicken came with was spicy and sweet and an absolutely perfect compliment to the rosemary seasoning in his still-super-juicy, boneless chicken. The honey that accompanied Greenspan’s chicken went perfect with the buttermilk treatment as did the delicious wedge of goat cheese-tarragon waffle. Ludo’s chicken is beyond innovative; Greenspan executes a classic perfectly. And that is my final answer. I am a fried chicken lovah!!

Where will Ludo go next? I’ve been spying some Twitter convos going on in the foodie cosmos lately. Dare we suggest another show-down with Greenspan’s grilled cheese and Ludo’s foie gras croque monsier? Or Ludo following the way of the fryer and dropping into Akasha Richmond’s kitchen? The real-time Twitter food collaborations is just one of the phenomenons that makes eating in LA so exciting; stay tuned to find out…

Christophe Happillon Features West Coast Oysters at Joe’s Restaurant

e*star — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:00:14 +0000

Fanny Bay Oyster

It may have been another night out in the neighborhood for Chris when I met her and Ken at Joe’s on Abbot Kinney last friday. But it had been awhile since I had a drink from their bartender, S. Hector Bury – and he didn’t disappoint with a delicious cocktail made with bacon-infused bourbon.

Christophe Happillon

But we were there to learn about Christophe Happillon’s oyster program, which is at Joe’s on Friday nights and The Edison on Tuesday and Thursdays. So, whether you’re feeling The Downtown LA vibe early in the week or more in the mood for Venice towards the end, you know where to go for your oyster fix.

Truth be told, I was also at The Edison for their latest Radio Room just three days prior (which prompted Nico to accuse me of “cheating”) and had gotten a preview of Christophe’s awesome oyster display of Fanny Bay oysters. The real lesson would come at Joe’s, however, where he featured three different types of oysters. I have always loved oysters but knew very little – and was really appreciative to get a lesson in the West Coast ones Christophe was carrying that night.

Christophe shucking an oyster

When Christophe set to shucking oysters for us (“Oysters are like women -,” he mused, “you cannot force them”) he started out with San Quintin Bay oysters from Baja, California. This was the strongest, saltiest oyster of the bunch, with this particular bay not receiving much rain and therefore putting the oysters in an environment with more sediment.

The next two oysters proved milder – as they were from areas also on the West Coast but which had more rain and bigger waves: British Columbia. The Fanny Bay oysters, which were also at The Edison, had a tougher consistency than the San Quintins. Because there are more waves, the muscles in these particular had developed more than the previous variety. They were also not as salty as they grew in less sediment.

The final variety, from Metcalf Bay, was also from British Columbia but was the sweetest of the bunch. Christophe pointed out the Metcalfs’ shells in particular – which were especially brittle – as the environment Metcalf has less waves than the San Quintin and therefore had less elasticity. In general, the more muscle an oyster has, the sweeter its taste.

Now Christophe may be a French shellfish specialist, but he stresses that oysters on the half-shell are a primarily American dish. Think turkeys at Thanksgiving being stuffed with oysters, and the search for an aphrodisiac when primarily male emigrants relocated to the continent. Our time at Joe’s was a great lesson in the history and origins of oysters’ chemistry, salinity and temperature, and I came away that much more knowledgeable about the bivalves. Now to eat more…

Half-dozen oysters: $17
One dozen oysters: $30
(Prices subject to change according to availability and market price.)

Oysters in this review were hosted.

Joe’s
1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA‎ 90291-3386
310.399.5811‎

Dozen Oysters

Ojai Valley Inn & Spa’s Maravilla A Hidden Gem

e*star — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:07:50 +0000

Moroccan Spiced Lamb Loin, Harissa & Roasted Vegetable Cous Cous, Charmoula Sauce - $34

I had occasion to visit Ojai Valley Inn & Spa not of my own accord, but on invitation to spend the night there after attending the Papabubble candy-making workshop one Saturday afternoon. That is, not before enjoying a special meal in the resort hotel’s main restaurant (of a total 4), Maravilla. The resort itself is a special place tucked away in that green valley, with Maravilla helming its top-notch cuisine. The hotel is not for the slight-of-wallet – a room with a fireplace will run you $600 – so it should make sense there would be a minimum standard attached to the restaurant nestled within that retreat. The great thing, though, is Maravilla meets that posh standard.

French Onion Soup - $10

The ambiance of Maravilla is warm and welcoming – and its dishes do well to embody that same mood. I was very impressed with Executive Chef Jamie West’s menu and the execution of at least the dishes that came to our table. The service was impeccable all night (granted, it was a bit of a media review arrangement but everyone else dining seemed to also be pleased).

We started off with the soup of the day: French onion. It was deliciously smoky and the onions were sweet, carmelized and perfect. While part of me wished for a pot covered with a layer of cheese, the complex flavors of the soup were more than enough to keep me intrigued.

Mediterranean Mussels in White Wine, Tomato Broth, Spanish Chorizo & Smoked Paprika - $12

Another starter we had was the Mediterranean Mussels – which, surprised my dinner companion Bridgette that they were to her liking as she hasn’t been “a mussels kind of person” prior to this meal. The broth was compelling, though, and had a good, weighty kick to it thanks to the spice in the chorizo and paprika. We sopped up the mussel broth as well as some french onion soup with the accompanying bread.

The Moroccan Spiced Lamb Loin (title picture) came highly recommended and with good reason. It was perfectly cooked with the appropriate rings on the inside of the cut and the meat itself was awesomely tender without hardly any gamey consistency whatsoever. It ranks up there with the best lamb I’ve ever had. Additionally, the cous cous bed it lay atop was a surprising treat; I’ve rarely had cous cous cooked to exactly the right texture as I had at Maravilla. Each one was spritely to the bite and the vegetables added vibrant flavor, as well.

Pan-seared Scallops, Truffle Parmesan Risotto, Lemon Garlic Spinach, Romesco Sauce - $31

The Pan-seared Scallops were also perfectly cooked, with very tender inner meat. The risotto was hearty and indulgent – a perfect creamy bed for the scallops. The spinach added a nice acidity since it was cooked with a lemon garlic sauce and the romesco gave it a subtle kick Overall, it was a perfectly-balanced, soothing seafood dish.

Dessert was next – and as a creme brulee fan, I couldn’t not order a certain selection on their dessert menu. That item was: Flavored creme brulees on a stick – yuzu, pistachio and cookies & cream – which were like popsicles with a delicious outer shell and creamy, eggy center. A perfect end to our meal.

You may or may not have occasion to visit Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, but it’s really a perfect getaway without the excessive drive. The views back from Ojai along the 101 on a day when the rain was just letting up was probably the most beautiful short drive I’ve ever had in my time in South California. No matter what, your meal or meals at Maravilla will ingrain Ojai in your memory.

All aforementioned food and wine was hosted.

Maravilla at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
905 Country Club Road
Ojai, CA 93023
800.422.6524

Dining Room at Maravilla

A Pairing Made In Heaven: Dassai Sake Tasting at Sushi Central

e*star — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:46:44 +0000

Saba (Japanese Mackerel) Sushi

It was a February night in Palms when I joined a few other writers in a lesson on sake by none other than Sake Master Yuji Matsumoto. The featured brewer was Dassai, who only makes Junmai Daiginjo sake – pure sake (no added alcohol) made with at least 50% polished rice grain.

Dassai Junmai Daiginjo 50 (Regular and Unfiltered/Sparkling)

It was my first time at Sushi Central and though I could appreciate the casual atmosphere – I won’t be fooled again by the inconspicuous signage nor strip mall placement. It was all about the fish, and thanks to their good sushi that I could really and truly appreciate the sake we were tasting. I plan to return for the omakase when I get my next sushi kick.

We were graced by the presence of Kazuhiro Sakurai, the Dassai representative and 4th generation Vice President of the brewery, who flew in to personally tell us about his family’s sakes. Sushi chef Philip Yi (once a challenged chef in Bobby Flay’s Throwdown!) was gracious throughout the night and wowed us with his extremely good sushi. For starters, the slightly-smoky, ultra-tender Ono (Yi’s self-described ”crack” fish) left us eager for the night to come. Our saucers remained untouched and unused the entire night, leaving the chef full reign over our tastebuds with no adulteration by added wasabi nor soy sauce.

Ono Sushi

We started off our sake tasting with the most refined sake of the night, the 23 Dassai Junmai Daiginjo ($80) – which I thought was unusual at the time since I’m accustomed to working up to the highest quality from the low. Later, the order would make sense. The ultra-smooth sake was so clean and so delicious and went well with the yellowtail it was paired with. Light sake paired with a white fish – it was perfectly complimentary.

Salmon Belly Sushi

After that came the 50 Dassai, which was still very smooth but had a little bit more acidity since less of the rice grain was polished away. This was perfect because when paired with salmon belly sushi, it cut across the fattier fish – but the sake still had a good amount of finesse. Perfectly paired sake and sushi is a truly heavenly thing.

Next was the Saba, or Japanese Mackerel (title picture) – which is a saltier, less fatty fish and went well with the 39 Dassai – a variety which isn’t available in the United States. We also tried a very lightly-carbonated, unfiltered version of the 50 Dassai – only available Stateside and perfectly complimented sushi chef Philip Yi’s spicy tuna roll. Before this night, I had shunned spicy tuna rolls – but there was excellent tuna, very little mayo and a good amount of spice in the roll; I could truly appreciate the ingredients in this version of what is typically regarded as “filler appetizer!”

Blue Crab Roll

Now the blue crab roll was simply buttery goodness rolled in rice and seaweed. I loved how much crab was rolled into the sushi rice and the Dassai 50 was also perfect in cutting through the richness. I would certainly like to experience this pairing again!

Only about a month ago, starting with the sake & cheese pairing event, did I really start appreciating sake – and I’m ever so grateful I had the opportunity to learn even more about the fermented beverage in its pairing with sushi. It has such a clean application to it which can only go more appreciated when one learns more about its origins, how it’s made and the different types.

As for Sushi Central - which offers omakase for its customers ranging from $55 – $125 – they also do not have a liquor license and so you are welcome to B.Y.O.B. with no corkage fee! I cannot wait to go shopping for bottles to bring back and enjoy with my sushi!

All aforementioned sake and sushi were hosted.