あるぱかーん
Today, I visited Sushi Shin in Nishi-Azabu. This restaurant has been on my radar because it is where Chef Sato trained. The head chef here is Mr. Suzuki Shintaro. I made a reservation for Sunday lunch over the phone about a week in advance, and it was easy to secure a spot. The restaurant is located in a slightly quieter area between Roppongi, Omotesando, and Hiroo. The interior has a clean and calming feel with a wooden theme. The counter seats 9 people surrounding the kitchen, allowing a great view of the chef's sushi-making skills from any seat. There are also a few private rooms available. While the head chef was in the center making sushi, he interacted with his apprentices and perhaps his wife, showing support to the female staff. They worked together seamlessly. Mr. Suzuki has a bit of a craftsman-like vibe but explains each piece of sushi meticulously. His sushi-making is precise and captivating, with a commanding presence. It might be a bit intimidating to talk to the head chef, but the apprentices are approachable. The atmosphere is not too formal, allowing for casual conversations while enjoying the sushi. For today's lunch, I ordered the nigiri course only. The highlights were: - Alaskan Pollack: Light and fluffy with a substantial texture. Slightly seared, giving a fragrant smokiness that enhances the delicate sweetness. - Greater Amberjack: Perfect balance of crunchiness and tenderness, with a bold sweetness. - Mackerel: Perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, with a smooth texture. - Scallop: Excellent chewiness and sweetness, with a delicate aroma. - Bigfin Reef Squid: Nicely seasoned with salt and sudachi, providing a natural mouthfeel. - Medium Fatty Tuna: Great aroma, tender with a moderate chewiness and rich fatty flavor. - Kohada: Slightly stronger vinegar taste than mackerel, but still a perfect balance. - Simmered Scallop: Thinly sliced, tender with a good chewiness and well-balanced seasoning. Each piece showcased the quality of ingredients and the meticulous craftsmanship of traditional Edo-style sushi. The vinegar rice had a blend of two types of red vinegar, giving it a punchy flavor with a balanced acidity, subtle sweetness, and a hint of saltiness. It was slightly firm with a slight stickiness, integrating well with the toppings. The temperature was slightly on the cooler side. The sushi had generous portions and was beautifully presented. The ginger was mildly sweet with a strong acidity. The toppings were all thickly sliced with precise cuts, highlighting the quality of the ingredients and the uncompromising Edo-mae craftsmanship. Overall, the sushi had a classic Edo-mae style, with a focus on the toppings and skillfully bringing out their flavors. Both the toppings and the rice were substantial, allowing for a satisfying sushi experience. The preparation was meticulous, making the sushi simple yet delicious and easy to enjoy. It was a bit disappointing that there was no lean tuna, but considering the quality, the price was reasonable. The staff were attentive, constantly refilling tea and ginger, and promptly cleaning the counter. The service was satisfactory, and the head chef kindly greeted us at the end. While he seemed a bit reserved during work, I could sense that he is a kind person. It was a delightful dining experience!