Sushi Sluts

Ahi Poke

2008-01-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

Spent two weeks in Hawaii over the Christmas holiday.
Discovered poke.

Favorite poke, at Nalani and Gordon's house.
Right from Safeway.
Ahi, pepper, sesame, soy, a touch of mayo
We built our own little poke hand rolls,
complete with seasoned squares of nori
sushi rice
and fresh cut cucumber sticks.
fantastic.
Of course it was the company more than anything.
Best tasting poke, at Lei Lei's, New Year's Eve.
Out at the Turtle Bay Resort.
Fabulous (see picture above)
I swear that ahi was still swimming...

Why is it so hard to meet for sushi?

2007-10-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

I have several friends who always want to meet for sushi. Why is it so hard to find time to eat a little rice and raw fish?

How Many Times Do I have to say Sushi is Rice?

2007-06-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

TOKYO, June 24 — Sushi made with deer meat, anyone? How about a slice of raw horse on that rice?

These are some of the most extreme alternatives being considered by Japanese chefs as shortages of tuna threaten to remove it from Japan’s sushi menus — something as unthinkable here as baseball without hot dogs or Texas without barbecue.

In this seafood-crazed country, tuna is king. From maguro to otoro,.... continue reading....

So while I don't really want to eat a slice of raw horse on my sushi rice, the word sushi doesn't mean raw fish (I always feel the need to point that out, "sashimi" is actually raw fish). The word "sushi" actually refers to the vinegared rice, rather than what goes on top. Read more about sushi at how stuff works....

Sushi Deli

2007-05-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

My friend Ralph and I went to Sushi Deli last Saturday evening. I was expecting it to be crowded. A Saturday night in the gaslamp. What was I thinking??

Turns out I didn't have to worry about it too much. Us old folks apparently eat earlier (6:30 pmish) than the rest of the oh-so-hip and trendy gaslampers. And being Cinco De Mayo, I guess SUSHI was not tops on everyone's list of places to go.

Their loss.

What a great little find in the downtown area. We feasted on sake (I'm a always a sucker for salmon) Rainbow Roll, something called a Mary Roll, and Ralph had a couple of pieces of ikura (salmon roe).

One nice thing about Sushi Deli is that you can order one piece, rather than always a pair (nigiri) like other sushi spots.

We also ordered some fried calamari -- not really sushi, but it was tasty.

We washed this all down with a couple of nice crisp Kirin beers.

The only disappointment of the evening was the vegetable tempura, which seemed to consist of one slice of carrot, one florette of brocolli, and two chunks of sweet potato. Hard to split a florette of brocolli, but we did it.

All in all, a good dinner. Nice walk from Ralph's place on 9th and 'G' to Broadway and 1st, next to the Spreckle's Theater.

And for only $40. Total, not each. Can't beat that!

eye contact essential

2007-05-05T09:49:00.000-07:00

Nobu is a great sushi restaurant in Solana Beach. In fact, I think we've decided it's our new favorite. Our old favorite,Station Sushi still has great sushi, and I still like it is a little oh-too-trendy, and noisy, so it's hard to talk. Of course if you want to see and be seen (or is that "scene"?) then Station Sushi is great.

At Nobu, the atmosphere, while still a happenin' place, is more subdued. It's elegant, with soft lighting, wood floors, simple, clean decor, reflective of the sushi itself, simple and clean, no flaming monkey rolls just good fresh fish artfully prepared.

Though I've never been granted the priveledge of sitting at end of the sushi bar where Nobu-san reigns supreme, I have been there, and been served by other talented and friendly sushi chefs. Until last night. Or was it the night before? While our sushi chef was pleasant, and prepared our sushi well, he rarely looked up to engage us, to ask us if we wanted another serving of the $7 a piece toro, or perhaps would like to try a special hand roll, the ahi looks good, and the sake is particularly fresh, or ....

He was well intent all evening on preparing to-go orders. Carefully, meticulously, even artfully. Not that I think he should have been serving us to the exclusion of all others, HOWEVER, a little eye contact would have been nice. That way, when we were ready to order a spicy tuna roll (it was delicious by the way)I would not have had to practically throw something at him to get his attention!

Next time, perhaps, we'll try for Nobu's end of the bar. Or perhaps try another sushi spot. (but this one is so conveniently located minutes from my home!!)

I do recommend Nobu Solana Beach. Just be sure to sit at one end of the sushi bar or the other....

Smack Down at Mister Sushi

2007-02-28T23:52:00.000-08:00

So the last time I went to sushi, we went to All You Can Eat sushi.
I was reluctant.
The place was packed.
It was cold outside.
And the people leaving were standing in the doorway talking. With the door open.
So I said, "CLOSE THE DOOR" not bitchy, but loud enough.
and this woman was like "I have kids."
and I'm like "So. You can still close the door."
--more later. I'm tired.

again with the seared ahi

2006-09-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

Does seared ahi count as sushi? I had a nice dinne at my friend Ralph's house last night. Ahi prepared with a rub of cayenne, cardemom, and coriander, seared. Served with fresh from the farmers market zuccini from the grill. yumm

Princess sushi

2006-03-26T15:50:00.000-08:00

So the sushi sluts seem to be me, and, well, me... But last week my friend Jill Badonsky, the published author, invited me to sushi. I think she wants to be a sushi slut, but I have not nailed down the application process, so I'm not sure if she is one or not.

This our second sushi together. She never just invites me though, she likes a crowd, an audience (she's a Leo), and that's ok because she always surrounds herself with interesting people (one of which is me, I hope).

Jill suggested Sakura Bana in Encintas. This is a tiny little place, no website of course (what's up with these restaurants with no website?) but it is comfortable, cosey spot, and good sushi. They even have happy hour prices until 6 pm (weeknights only I believe) and for your friends that don't like sushi, they offer other options of the teriyaki yaka tori type. Very delicious.

Chris, who I know from attending a Muse class with Jill was there. She used to run a cute little shop in Del Mar, but now is working on becoming a personal trainer. Another woman joined us, Nancy who I don't know, but was very nice. It was a good group, and Chris even brought us little treats too... lavender soaps and some eau de something from a little boutique in Solana Beach. Yummy smelly stuff. Next time I'll know to bring party favors. Maybe that would get the sushi sluts going. Gifts.

Jill brought each of us a "diamond" studded tiara to wear. And wear them we did, though I insisted on tilting mine slightly to the left. When a man stopped at our table to ask if we had just come from seeing the movie "Princess Diaries 2," Jill responded, deadpan expression, "No. We ARE princesses." He didn't quite get it and went on to tell us how is daughter and her friends all wore diamond tiaras to go to the movie...

I shared a rainbow roll, some sake nigiri and some maguro nigiri along with another roll that Jill ordered. Spicy tuna maybe? Not sure, but it was all good, and ordered in time for the happy hour price. For all four of us, saki included (2 large I might add)the bill came to something like $70.

SUMMARY: good group of "girls," good sushi, nice gifts. Thanks everyone!

Rock Bottom Brewery

2006-01-17T15:18:00.000-08:00

Not your usual sushi locale, but I was there last night for the First San Diego Blog Thing sponsored by mingle.com, organized by Joe, Leah, et al over at San Diego Blog

It was loud and busy for a Monday night, even if it was Martin Luther King day and a holiday for a lot of folks (not me). About 25 San Diego Bloggers gathered, and I got a chance to talk to a few interesting people: Joe, leahpeah, MAS, Anita, Alison (leah's musical niece from Utah) the baker/angst blogger gal from UCSD and her friends, and a couple of funny guys from the Sally Ride Science(yes the astronaut)one of the guys, Joe, has an e-zine, launch commit, and the other guy, Matt (or Pat?) has a science blog that I didn't get the name of.

What does this have to do with sushi?? Well nothing, but I did eat some seared ahi that was pretty good.... just goes to show you, you can find sushi in interesting places, surrounded by interesting people.

ah HA!

2006-01-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Masuo
No 'T'
No 'Y'
Still not in the phone book.
Of course Google knows 'em.
It's true, I love Google, but you DO have to know what you are looking for!

I still say the restaurant should have a phone book listing, however. Not to mention a website, even if its just a one-pager.

The original plan was for me to meet Jill for sushi. Then we decided to invite Cathryn and Eber. And I decided it would be a Friends of the Sushi Sluts gathering. Perhaps the two other people who were supposed to join us couldn't find Masuo's either!

The food was good (though Station Sushi is still my fave). But the service was very slow. Perhaps because only one sushi chef was working.

I ordered hamachi and sake (nigiri) and saki (warm rice wine). Caitlin had ordered what she thought was a sashimi combination plate, but I think the waitress didn't totally understand what sashimi was, because what she recommended had a whole lot of other stuff included. Victoria, Jill and I shared some rolls. (they ordered so I am not sure what we had) One was a tiny (bite-size)tuna roll, with green onion and maybe a ponzu sauce lightly sprinkled on top. Yumm. The other was a soft shell crab roll with tuna layered on top. And maybe some avocado. Yumm, but not as yumm as the tiny tuna roll.

The strangest part of the evening was when I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turned around to see Alan. Alan Fritz, my sister's ex. My former boss. It was weird, really, seeing him, someone who had been such an integral part of our lives (much more so my sister, obviously) but still, we all hung out together. He knew granddad. He was over at the house on a regular basis. We were at his house for barbeques. I worked for him. I rented a house from him. I saw him every day. Sometimes I babysat little Matt, then a stubborn little six year-old, now 13 (has it really been that long?). And then, when he dumped my sister ... I kept working for him for a short time until I could extracate myself without doing any damage... and then he sublet the property where I rented a house, a shack really... and then we never ran into him. Ever. Anywhere. It was strange. He soon-- very very soon-- got married to Kathryn. Then moved into the house my sister had helped him find, the house she thought they would live in together. Had a couple more kids.

Debby asked what he looks like. Pretty much the same, but maybe a little thicker around the middle, a little thinner up top...

it was a lifetime ago. I wonder what life would be like had he and Debby married...

Matsuyo

2006-01-10T14:11:00.000-08:00

Can't find it.
Even though I can see it.

I can't believe any business-- that wants to stay in business-- doesn't have at least a one page website with basics like Name. Address. Phone number.

I Know they are there. I drive by the place regularly. I see the red and white sign. Black letters. I've eaten there before. The food is good.

Maybe I got the name wrong... which for me, aka Google Girl, should be no problem. "Solana Beach" "sushi"
Nope.
"Solana Beach" "restaurants"
Nope.

I couldn't even find them in the Yellow Pages. Not online. The big book that comes to your house. They weren't even in the White Pages business listings. Nothing under M. I know it starts with an 'M' even if I got the exact spelling of the name wrong.

Station Sushi. Check.
Solana Sushi. Check.
Nobu. Check.
Samurai. Check.

Matsuyo? Masuyo? Matuyo?
Not even an 'M'

It wouldn't bother me so much, except that we are gathering the Friends of the Sushi Sluts tonite (only one official member, one wannabe, and a few miscellaneous sushi lovers, intentions unknown.)
At Matsuyo.
And I wanted to send an email with a link to the restaurant. Or at least the Address and pHone number of the place, and I can't find it. But I know it's there. I hope.

Tomorrow's post will tell.

No New Sluts

2006-01-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

We were supposed to meet up in November. In December...
And the potential new slut cancelled. Or I cancelled... Or cathryn...

So we are still only two sushi sluts. Stuck at Station Sushi in Solana Beach, because that is our favorite.

And it's easy to find.

But now we're trying again.
Stay tuned.

new member?

2005-11-10T13:35:00.000-08:00

... could it be that we have a new slut among us?? stay tuned, because on Thursday, November 17....

sushi sluts ride again !

we'll be comin' to a sushi spot somewhere in the Del Mar, Solana Beach area...

Is it Raw?

2005-10-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

Is seared ahi really raw fish? Is sushi even raw fish? So many people say "I hate sushi" when they really mean they don't like (hate is such a strong word) raw fish. "Sushi" believe it or not, refers not to the fish, but the rice. Hmmmm. Bet ya didn't know that!

A Novice in Sushi Land or Why I Love Seared Ahi But Was Afraid to Ask

2005-05-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

In a world gone mad, I chose to title this "posting" in a mad, mad way. When you get right down to it, I am a novice in Blog Land too. I know I love sushi, been enjoying it for several years, but I still cannot read a sushi menu. Nigiri, sashimi--it's all the same to me. I don't understand the blog menu either. Dashboards? Bloggers? At least with a sushi menu I can point and grunt. Is there anyone out there in blogger land who can hear me grunting. No, of course not. It will take this experienced sushi slut some time to adapt to this cyber communication. Maybe Zaphod Beeblebrox or Ford Prefect can sort all of this out for me.

my first time

2005-05-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

I remember my first time. Not the first time I ATE sushi, but the first time it really tasted good. I was with my Uncle Bill, Tio Willy as I call him, a moniker he was christened with after a family trip to Puerto Nuevo Mexico for Lobster Lunch. It was the Christmas after my grandma died... but I digress.

The first time I enjoyed sushi... wait... let me roll it back ... to the 90's... I'd been to sushi bars. I'd tasted a nigiri here, a sashimi there and thought, What's the big deal? tasted just like chicken. Well not really, tasted more like wasabi, but let's just say I was not impressed. Now the tempura shrimp roll, that was another story. That was good. And the rice. Oh the rice. Tasted like my childhood in Hawaii.

Fast forward to 2003. Tio Willy is in town and he and I decided to go out for sushi. We had a "Under New Management Buy One Get One Free" coupon for Del Mar Sushi so off we went. Although neither of us knew much about sushi, Tio Willy knew he liked it, just didn't kow what to order or what to avoid so we relied on the sushi chef. Unfortunately we had a hard time understanding his English and ended up with some mystery sushi roll, and man was it good, even though it was raw.

Fresh, succulent, it was soft and salty, melting on my tongue and tasted like ocean. Made me want to giggle and bounce in my seat.... I finally understood.

I've since expanded my culinary horizons to include toro (fatty tuna), sake (salmon), hamachi (yellowtail), and ahi (tuna), but I draw the line at some of the more exotic fare like uni (sea urchin). And I just don't think I'll ever "get" fugu, blowfish that if not prepared correctly will kill you.

--JeSais

Sushi Sluts!

2005-05-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

Entertaining stories and reviews of sushi spots by sushi aficionadas JeSais and cathryn.

Membership in the Sushi Slut club is by invitation only.