yuzu

3347 fillmore @ chestnut

motivation:  our post-holiday shopping in Union Square was topped off with japanese food, because after saving money on discounts we decided to splurge a little.  so pinky wanted to try out yuzu and venture into the neighborhood while all the regular marina girls were back in long island and the midwest.  and i never say no to sushi.  what was most notable though, besides the fact that we showed up around 6:00 pm for the early bird specials, was how we had been surrounded by Russians downtown and we were surrounded by Russians again.  i think they're taking over the city.

we each had our own sake flights.  i tried the Shizen "Earthy" trio - Kamoizumi, Katana, Nishinoseki.  pinky had the Karakuchi "Dry" ones - Katana, Namahage, Izumi Judan.  sorry to be undiscerning but we loved them all.   we ordered a bunch of appetizers:  goma-ae that was fresh and light with a subtle raisin garnish; a rubbery green bean tempura; a snappy-skinned eggplant miso with a smaller fruit than usual, topped with wiggling bonito flakes and full of sweet grainy goodness.  [on a side note, pinky knows how to say eggplant in four languages:  aubergine, melanzane, nasu.  readers, send in more!]  the fish was excellent.  a stunning snow crab nigiri made with real crab; samma nigiri (pike saury - a popular fall/winter fish in japan) that tasted cooked even though it isn't; salmon belly nigiri with a marvelous composition - bonito flakes that hit the top of the palate, then salmon oil kicking in next, and ending with a lemon tang.  are you hungry yet?  

the staff was attentive and very familiar with their sake menu.  the lighting was a nice and warm below a vast dark ceiling.  we struck out with flirtability unfortunately, because it was early, the tv was blasting football and the entitled white men next to us were very loud.  

yuzu notes that they source sustainable fish though they can't compare to tataki.  we didn't pack it in as it was a bit pricey but we left with well satisfied and content bellies.  we're saving the yuzu cake for next time.  join us?

itadakimasu!