Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Sushi Nozomi - Part One: Picture Post (Torrance)

Nozomi
Nozomi Sushi

Like with the previous Sushi Zo post, my first dinner at Nozomi happened over a year ago. Although the dinner had occurred such a long time ago, I always had fond memories of my dinner there. Strange enough, I didn't make a return visit until this past weekend. While going over the new pictures for Nozomi, I still want to present my first dinner in pictures. Part two of my Nozomi post will cover the most recent dinner. If you want a more detailed post, please read DJJewelz's post on this omakase meal.

Don't Mess With A Sushi Chef
The First Rule Of Fight Club? Always Be Nice to Your Sushi Chef Or Else.....

Cracker with Uni, Marinated Squid, and Cream Cheese
Cracker with Uni, Marinated Squid, and Cream Cheese

Sunomono
Sunomono

It's just the refreshing starter we needed to whet our palates. And here. We. Go!

Kinmedai (Alfonsino with Lemon and Himalayan Sea Salt)
Kinmedai (Alfonsino with Lemon and Himalayan Sea Salt)

I loved the use of lemon and sea salt on this.

Tai (Black Seabream with Ponzu Jelly)
Tai (Black Seabream with Ponzu Jelly)

Madai (Red Snapper with Sesame Soy)
Madai (Red Snapper with Sesame Soy)

Tobiko (Flying Fish)
Tobiko (Flying Fish)
Yasu-San Showing Us Our Next Fish: Tobiko (Flying Fish)

Our head sushi chef was Yasu-San, who was showing the next fish used for our omakase: Tobiko (Flying Fish).

Tobiko (Flying Fish)
Tobiko (Flying Fish)

Hiramasa (Yellowtail Amberjack)
Hiramasa (Yellowtail Amberjack)

Fried Squid with Nori
Fried Calamari with Nori Powder

A bread from sushi. Fried calamari with seaweed powder. Very nice!

Japanese Brown Barracuda with Mountain Potatoes
Japanese Brown Barracuda with Mountain Potatoes

The barracuda was seared by Yasu-san. I loved the flavor of this flavor and the addition of the yamaimo was very nice. I've never had barracuda before, and the only thing that came to my mind was this:

I'm sure most of you have heard of this song, or at least played it on Guitar Hero. So I digress...

Yasu-San
Yasu-San Preparing Our Next Piece

Ebi (Arabian White Shrimp from Red Sea)
Ebi (Arabian White Shrimp from Red Sea)

I wanted seconds of this. I love shrimp, especially the fried shrimp head. For me, it was the ingredient that was the most unique. Arabian white shrimp from the Red Sea? That's a definite first for me!

Himo (Orange Clam)
Himo (Orange Clam)

Sake (Salmon with Thin White Kelp)
Sake (Salmon with Thin White Kelp)

After all the various piece served, salmon almost came across as boring. Yet, it was a delicious piece of fish. I really enjoyed the thin piece of kelp on top of the fish.

Hamachi (Yellowtail)
Hamachi (Yellowtail)

Hamachi has always been one of my favorite. I always enjoy the rich, buttery taste from the hamachi. This piece was no exception.

Maguro (Marinated Tuna with Avocado)
Maguro (Marinated Tuna with Avocado)

Toro (Fatty Blue Fin Tuna Belly)
Toro (Fatty Blue Fin Tuna Belly)

This was truly melt in your mouth good. I wish I had two pieces instead of one.

Chawanmushi
Chawanmushi

You can't go wrong with a tasty bowl of chawanmushi (steamed eggs).

Uni (Sea Urchin Roe)
Uni (Sea Urchin Roe)

Dare I say this uni was better than the one served at Urasawa? A bold statement yes, but not when the manager of Nozomi is the son-in-law of one of the biggest distributors of Santa Barbara Sea Urchin. Nozomi definitely has the best, freshest sea urchin around. This was SO good!

Shirako (Cod Milt (Sperm))
Shirako (Cod Milt (Sperm))

What's this? Brains? Afraid not. I should have just titled this shirako and no one would ever google this piece. Shirako is otherwise known as cod milt, or cod sperm. Yes, I ate sperm, and it was pretty good.

Ikura (Salmon Roe with Quail Egg)
Ikura (Salmon Roe with Quail Egg)

Ikura and salmon roe, what a perfect combo. I loved it!

Anago (Sea Eel with Lemon Zest)
Anago (Sea Eel with Lemon Zest)

The last piece of the day, we ended with anago. Served with the usual eel sauce that most are familiar with and a bit of lemon zest, it was a great way to end our meal.

Dessert: Pineapple
Dessert: Pineapple

Yasu and Mark
Yasu and Mark

To say that I was surprised with the quality of the sushi at Nozomi was an understatement. I knew it would be good going in, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. The sushi that we had that night were unique and delicious. I can't wait to post part 2 of my return visit at Nozomi. Yasu-san is definitely a true sushi master, so my recommendation is to ask for him when you make visit. You definitely won't be disappointed!


Sushi Nozomi
1757 W Carson St # L
Torrance, CA 90501-2828
(310) 320-5511

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sushi Zo - A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words (Los Angeles)

Sushi Zo
Sushi Zo

Like with most food bloggers, I have quite a backlog of posts that dates all the way back to 2009. Sadly, with my frequent amount of dining out, the backlog just keeps growing and most of my photos will probably never see the light of day. However, Sushi Zo has been one of the places I wanted to post about. Even though I do have notes that documented this meal, I feel it's easier to let the pictures do the talking with this post. Below was the omakase tasting (chef's choice) at Sushi Zo.

Sushi Zo
Sushi Zo
Rules of Zo

Kirin Draft
Kirin on Tap

Gari (Ginger)
Gari (Ginger)

When the ginger arrives on the table, you know it's time for some sushi!

Miso Soup
Miso Soup

Kumamoto Oyster
Kumamoto Oyster

Maguro (Big Eye Tuna)
Maguro (Big Eye Tuna)

Awabi (Abalone)
Awabi (Abalone)

Tako/Uni (Cuttlefish Noodles and Uni)
Uni Cuttlefish Noodles with Ponzu and Soy

This dish was quite delicious, though I personally love sea urchin roe.

Hirame (Halbut)
Hirame (Halbut)

Aji (Japanese Mackerel)
Aji (Japanese Mackerel)

Hotate (Scallop)
Hotate (Scallop)

Shiro Maguro (Albacore Tuna)
Shiro Maguro (Albacore Tuna)

Hamachi (Yellowtail)
Hamachi (Yellowtail)

Toro (Big Eye Fatty Tuna)
Toro (Big Eye Fatty Tuna)

Kampachi (Amberjack)
Kampachi (Amberjack)

Ibodai (Butterfish)
Ibodai (Butterfish)

Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp)
Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp)

Meji Maguro (Baby Tuna)
Meji Maguro (Baby Tuna)

Mirugai (Geoduck)
Mirugai (Geoduck)

Kurodai (Black Snapper)
Kurodai (Black Snapper)

Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper)
Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper)

Sawara (Spanish Mackerel)
Sawara (Spanish Mackerel)

Ankimo (Monkfish Liver)
Ankimo (Monkfish Liver)

Ikura (Salmon Roe) and Uni (Sea Urchin Roe)
Ikura (Salmon Roe) and Uni (Sea Urchin Roe)
Ikura (Salmon Roe) and Uni (Sea Urchin Roe)

Anago (Sea Eel)
Anago (Sea Eel)

Toro Handroll
Toro Handroll

Tamago (Egg)
Tamago (Egg)

Blue Crab Hand Roll
Blue Crab Handroll

And last, but not least, we finished off the omakase with a yuzu shot.

Yuzu Shot
Yuzu Shot

Sushi Zo
Bill (Omakase was about $102/person)

What's my take on Sushi Zo? I did enjoy my meal. All of the fish served that night were fresh and delicious, yet I thought the flavors were a bit too similar. Quite a few of the fish were buttery and rich, and although there's nothing wrong with that fact, I was hoping for something different. As many have noted in the past, the sushi chef there was a bit cold and aloof. Although we sat on the side table, there were virtually no contact between the chef and us, the patrons. While I would dine at Sushi Zo again, it's been two years since this dinner, and I haven't given any thoughts of going back just yet. Personally, I think there are better sushi out there, and probably at a better price. If you haven't tried Sushi Zo, I'd say give it a shot, but just don't expect to be wowed.

Think we were done? Not quite yet....we stopped to get pies at Apple Pan.

Banana Cream Pie
Apple Pie à La Mode
Top: Banana Cream Pie. Bottom Apple Pie a la mode

The only thing I could say is: Team Fatass 4 Life!

Sushi Zo
9824 National Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90034-2713
(310) 842-397