Sio x Mori Nozomi Collaboration@West LA ★★★

Incredible Collaboration. Finally get to try Mori Nozomi. Super fun night. Mori-san is very nice. Sushi quality was great. Floral Wagashi dessert is a beautiful work of art. I like special Tomato Dashi that was very refreshing. Michelin Chef Toba-san was super funny and entertaining. He is admired by many Japanese men. He should be a comedian. His expertise is Italian, and his signature dish is Pasta. He said he uses basic ingredients because he believes that skillful execution can bring out the best, even with the simplest ingredients, such as zucchini. He arranges and paces the dishes to balance the taste. He spent 2 hours just to think about what to do for dessert. He was so talkative that he doesn't seem like traditional Japanese. He would be so popular if he comes to work in the US. Octopus was a bit chewy for me. Sushi style is heavier on salt on the sushi. The dinner was so entertaining that I left very happy. Cute Ghibli music box background music. Special collaboration $500 per person. Tea $10. Tea Paring $59. My first time having Tea Pairing and loved it. Metered parking before 6pm.

Michelin Chef Shusaku Toba from Japan & Sushi Chef Mori Nozomi

Tea Paring #1: Cold Brew Sencha Tea w/ Ice from Ishigawa, Japan

Chawanmushi

Matsutake Mushroom Chawanmushi

Matai (Red Snapper) w/ Okra & Tomato Sauce

Octopus from Hokkaido

Zucchini Fritti w/ Karasumi

Hokkaido Hairy Crab Salad

Tea Leaves to Smell

Tea Paring #2: Gyokuro Premium Green Tea

Wild Blue Fin Tuna from Japan

Toro (Wild Blue Fin Tuna)

Aburi-Toro (Fatty Wild Blue Fin Tuna)

Oshinko (Japanese Pickles)

Tachiuo (Japanese Belt Fish)

Kasugodai (Baby Snapper)

Shiro Ika (Swordtip Squid)

Tea Paring #3: Hojicha

Sweet Shrimp Pasta

Wild Tsuri Aji (Jack Mackerel)

Hokkaido Scallop (Collaboration)

Akadashi w/ Nameko Mushroom (Red Miso Soup)

Tea Paring #4: Sparkling Gyokuro Premium Green Tea

Hokkaido Uni w/ Black Truffle

Ndoguro Chazuke (Black Throat Sea Perch w/ Dashi)

Anago (Sea Eel)

Wagyu, Ankimo, Truffle Hand Roll

Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese Omelet)

Milk Herb Ice Cream

Black Sesame Wagashi

Black Sesame Wagashi

Matcha from Kyoto

I am now already a fan of Chef Shusaku Toba

Mori Nozomi
11500 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
morinozomi.com

Sushidokoro Miyama@Arcadia ★★★

Quality Omakase. By Hiro-san (originally from Sushi Kisen). Hiro-san nicely paced out the appetizer courses in between sushi courses. $180 for 24-course Omakase dinner, which is a good deal. Reservations not open to public and is by referral only. Sushi counter only. 8 people max. 2 seatings: 5:30 & 8:00pm. 18% service charge will be automatically added to the bill. Corkage $50 for 750mL. Refillable Iced or Hot Tea $5. Free parking in lot.

Oyster Mozuku

Sazae

Ohmine Summer's Arrival

Chef Hiro-san

Katsuo – Backside & Belly-side
w/ ginger & scallions

Kasugo (Baby Snapper)

Meichi Dai Kombujime (marinated in Kombu)

Aji (Japanese Horse Mackerel)

Shiroebi (White Shrimp) from Toyama

Aoebi (Blue Shrimp)

Maguro (Blue Fin Tuna) from Mexico

Ankimo w/ Miso Vinegar

Kuromutsu (Black Perch) aged for 6 days

Chawanmushi w/ Umeboshi Sauce

Chutoro (Medium Fatty Tuna)

Refillable Iced Green Tea $5

Kohada (Gizzard Shard)

Awabi (Abalone) w/ Liver & Uni Sauce

Ankimo (Monkfish Liver)

Simmered Oyster

Ikura (Salmon Roe)

Anago (Salt Water Eel)

Takuan Toro Roll

Kanpyo Roll

Aka Miso Soup w/ Tofu

Strawberry Mousse Dessert

Hojicha

Sushidokoro Miyama
Baldwin Ave, Arcadia
@sushidokoro_miyama

Takumi-Tei@Walt Disney World EPCOT ★★

High-End Omakase Dinner at Walt Disney World. By Mitsukoshi. Good quality. Nice presentation. New seasonal menu since July. Japanese A5 Wagyu option available with no surcharge. (Restaurants usually charge $50-$150 additional.) Wagyu option was fantastic, but the Lobster option tasted frozen and overcooked. Complimentary non-alcoholic sparkling drink at the end of the meal for celebrations. 5 themed rooms available: Wood, Paper, Stone, Water, & Earth. I dined at Paper & Wood room before. Earth Room for this time. Water Room is a private room with $100 surcharge. Omakase Kiku Menu $250 per person. Refillable hot or cold sencha tea $8. Sake pairing available. 10% Annual Pass discount no longer applies due to policy change.

Hassun
chef selection of 7 seasonal small plates tailored by Takumi-Tei

Ichijyu Sansai (Traditional One-Soup Two-Dish Style)
Sea Urchin Chirashi Sushi
Deep-Fried Tofu in White Miso Soup
Tuna, Avocado, & Zucchini w/ Ponzu Jelly

Sashimi
4 varieties of today's seasonal sashimi w/ assorted garnishes

Hassun
chef selection of 7 seasonal small plates tailored by Takumi-Tei

Shiizakana
Deep-Fried Japanese Wagyu Beef Wrapped in Shiso Leaf
topped w/ in-house yellow vinegar sauce, shiso flowers, yuzu salt, & sliced key lime
Grilled Floudner Marinated in Saikyo Miso
pickled celery

Onmono
Choice of Japanese Wagyu Beef & Bamboo Shoots
w/ tortoiseshell sauce, maitake mushrooms, chopped myoga, chives, & dew ginger

Onmono
Choice of Spiny Lobster & Bamboo Shoots
w/ tortoiseshell sauce, maitake mushrooms, chopped myoga, chives, & dew ginger

Gohanmono
Cooked Conger Eel Nigirizushi
w/ gourmet unagi reduction, wasabi, gari, & red miso soup

Japanese Pumpkin Blancmange
w/ blackstrap molasses, whipped cream, & chervil

Homemade Green Tea Cake
w/ vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, blackstrap molasses, & chervil

Matcha Green Tea

The 5 Elements: Wood, Paper, Stone, Water, & Earth

Takumi-Tei at Japan Pavilion inside EPCOT
200 Epcot Center Dr,
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 939-3463
disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/takumi-tei-restaurant/