Last night, I went to UNI for the first time. I have had the pleasure of eating at CLIO and had a wonderful meal. Plus I adore Toro. I went there early (the seating is first come first serve as they do NOT take reservations). I decided to sit at the sushi bar in front of the sushi chef Sean. I must say the quality of the fish on display was very fresh! The Sushi Chef Sean was very friendly, knowledgeable and fun! While I was dining there last night, owner and executive Chef Ken Oringer stopped by and sat right next to me briefly. His friend's kid who is only 11 was game to try the quail egg and uni spoon ($16) and he loved it! I was very impressed! For someone so young, he had a sophisticated palate!
My friend OK and I met up at the restaurant. She was over 30 minutes late! Luckily I was able to snack on some nice edamame sprinkled with sea salt and drank some artisanal still water Fiji ($6 a bottle). Then we got our sake bomb material---1 small sake cup of the HOUSE sake and a bottle of the Tiger Beer (from Singapore if you must know). I did put the sake cup into the glass. (Ah memories of my first sake bomb were at Newport Beach, CA before my red eye flight. I had a few.)
My friend OK and I met up at the restaurant. She was over 30 minutes late! Luckily I was able to snack on some nice edamame sprinkled with sea salt and drank some artisanal still water Fiji ($6 a bottle). Then we got our sake bomb material---1 small sake cup of the HOUSE sake and a bottle of the Tiger Beer (from Singapore if you must know). I did put the sake cup into the glass. (Ah memories of my first sake bomb were at Newport Beach, CA before my red eye flight. I had a few.)
Our friendly server informed me after I asked about the Sake Bomb special, it is only for Sundays and he proceeded to tell me what were going to dine on. Yummy! First we got the kumimoto oyster served with a Japanese plum and it was divine! The freshness and the flavors of the sea were apparent and lovely. Next was the fresh poke salad marinated in a light soy marinade. I LOVED it! First time I had Poke was in Hawaii. Refreshing! Next came the salmon served with black bean sauce (Chinese) which was a lovely contrast of salty to oily/fatty. (I had a nice mini conversation with Sean behind the sushi bar. He was very friendly. I was telling him that I had not known many moons ago not all "black beans" were made equally. Having grown up with Chinese black beans, I once went shopping and got Mexican black beans. Suffice to say it was NOT The same. Next from the kitchen was the tempura rock shrimp which was crispy, not overly greasy and excellent! The ending of this lovely meal was the elderberry yogurt with a drizzle of black sesame sauce. Very different and light but pleasant ending for a very artistic and lovely meal.
*I bumped into a friend Suz and her dining companion mentioned he had seen my food blog. It was funny, as he was wondering if I was the one he had heard about who took pics of the food she ate. True to form, I was in the midst of taking a "photo" of my food! I was flattered that Sean wanted my "blog" address. I had to decline as I am still working on this blog. I promised that I would give it once I am ready.
