Vanbrosia: Zakkushi on Main

January 25, 2015

P-Toro - 2+

J's comment > very crisp and juicy; a smidgen too much fat to meat, but balance OK; would have loved a touch more grill flavor though

Age Mochi: Deep fried sticky rice w sweet soy sauce - 2+

J's comment > excellent exterior crisp w sticky mochi texture; good touch of soy, not too much so not too salty

Ikayaki: Grilled whole squid w teriyaki sauce & spicy mayo - 2+

J's comment > the best grilled squid I've ever had, not stinky at all as I've encountered with every single grilled squid in my past; squid texture bouncy and firm

(left to right)

Momo: Chicken thigh w sea salt - 2+

Negima: Chicken thigh w Japanese leek w teriyaki sauce - 2

Negima: Chicken thigh w Japanese leek w sea salt - 2

Teba: Chicken wing - 2

J's comment > juicy chicken but as w the P-toro, needs a touch more grill flavor

Cheese onigiri: Grilled rice ball w melted cheddar cheese - 2

J's comment > not bad; decently grilled onigiri, but lacked something... cheese texture present and was OK, but would have preferred a stronger flavored cheese

(left to right)

Mochi Maki: Sticky rice wrapped w pork - 2

Cheese Mochi Maki: Sticky rice wrapped w pork & melted cheese - 2

Chicken liver w teriyaki sauce - 1

J's comment > not bad; lovely grill on the mochi, but didn't the pork at all; liver was a touch dry and not having ever been a fan of liver, this didn't help

Tsukune: Chicken meat ball w sea salt - 2

J's comment > chicken meat balls firmer than I like and a touch dry but flavor OK, not too salty

Oden - 2
(in descending order of preference)

Chiku wa (fish cake)
Daikon
Gyusuji (beef tendon)

J's comment > good oden broth; fish cakes were tender but not too fishy; daikon braised well, soft but not mushy; beef tendon tender as preferred

Beef tongue - 2

J's comment > tough and chewy but flavor OK

Yamaimo Teppan Yaki: Boiled sliced pork, kimchi and mayo on top of mountain yam and egg pancake - 2

J's comment > slippery (as is the signature yamaimo texture) with the firmness of the egg holding everything together; pork slices woefully dry though

Ankimo: Cold monkfish liver (Japanese foie gras style) - 2

J's comment > the 'best' ankimo I've had as of yet, but then I've encountered some pretty awful ones @ Ajisai & Shuraku; not too smelly but still not convinced

Dorayaki Matcha Ice Cream: Matcha ice cream and red bean in Japanese pancake - 2+

J's comment > good balance of ice cream, red bean and pancake (even though there looks like a lot more ice cream and than anything, it actually works best like this); not too sweet, served @ room temp so the ice cream had a chance to melt a bit (just the way I like it)

Kinako Mochi Ice Cream: Soy powder sprinkled vanilla ice cream & sticky rice w maple syrup - 2+

J's comment > same age mochi as above, but served sweet; loved the soy powder; didn't get much maple syrup, but still pretty good overall