Mama Vamp is a stubborn lady. Very stubborn. Obstinate at times. Sure she will read this and admonish me for the characterization. However, she can't argue that she held firm in her refusal to try sushi for several decades.
Shockingly, it was our recent trip to Austin that softened her stance. One delicious dish at Emmer & Rye that showcased some exceedingly fresh fish - snapper in the raw - turned her around on the subject of sushi.
This past weekend, I took Mama Vamp to the sushi bar at Jewel Bako. She was immediately entranced by the sushi chefs doing their thing. And, being that she is Mama Vamp, she couldn't resist chattering away with them, making them chuckle a bit as they worked.
What beautiful work.
It started with a small cup filled with a light broth and truffle shavings floating on top. Plunging our spoons in, we hit an eggy custard on the bottom and chunks of white crabmeat. We made short order of that omakase starter. Next up, a gorgeous plate of sashimi, followed by a mushroom paper hotpot with Manila clams and seasonal mushrooms. Then the show really began, with Chef Mitsunori Isoda preparing individual pieces of melt-in-your-mouth sushi, placing each jewel-like creation in front of us for a quick ooh and ahh before we placed them in our mouths.
Do I have photos of any of these jewel-like beauties? Hell, no! Chef Isoda would give me the stink eye if I took more than 30 seconds to plop a new piece of sushi onto my tongue. Nigiri is meant to be eaten almost instantaneously after it has been served - all in one bite.
So, no photos of the omakase, but I was able to snap a picture of some of the sushi platters being prepared to be sent out to the dining room...
And, what did Mama Vamp think? Well, I am happy to report that Mama Vamp would be on-board for another sushi excursion.
Perhaps in Tokyo? Not so much. I think the flight might be too much for her.
Another Amtrak to NYC and cab ride to the East Village? Bring it on. Mama Vamp is all in!
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