Omakase

Being exclusive and intimate with a personal touch, “omakase” (literally meaning “up to you”) is the kind of experience that takes Japanese dinning to new levels. I had the chance to do a revision last week, tagging along with two colleagues.

In the typical fashion we were seated at the sushi bar, where dishes were presented course by course according to the chef’s recommendations and our likings at the time. Indeed, when feeling positively inquisitive, it’s not a bad idea to grab a seat right in front of the cutting board and have the viewing pleasure of the skillful actions as you devour.

Of course, it is also a great spot to some conversation with the “itamae” (the chef), whose decisions are going to make or break your day. Be prepared to order off the menu relying on his special tips, and there won’t even be one of those fake food samples or pictures for your reference! Of course, prices are usually at his personal discretion too, so stakes are rather high there. I’d say if you’re a first timer to the restaurant, and also a foreigner, omakase is one of the things worth trying with a local buddy for sure. For three hungry seafood lovers, the chef indulged us with so many shellfish dishes of the latest spring season. At a certain point, I thought the cholesterol was shooting up my spine…

Even for a perfectly colloquial guest, the chef just may not be all that accomodating with inadequate demeanor and less than favorable responses. Lucky for us, the chef frequently patronized by my friend was indeed very hospitable and reasonable. Sometimes by word of mouth, or maybe by building up rapport in regular visits, one may encounter and familiarize with more promising and reassuring chefs. We had the pleasure to toast champagne with him and offer him a pint as a token of appreciation, and as dinner ended I was given a cute Japanese tomato that’s almost the fruitiness of a peach to take home (was sampled as a palate refresher during the meal).

No pictures for the dinner – I’m lazy this time! So a snapshot of my little souvenir will sign me off… Oishii.