Tag Archives: San Diego

Sushi Ota

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Mr. Ota @ Sushi Ota

World, meet Mr. Ota. His San Diego restaurant, Sushi Ota, is just about the best sushi shop I’ve been to (I’ll save my other favorite, Daiki, in Ise, for another post). Besides being a great guy, Mr. Ota runs a smooth-running ship with fantastic food. We were trying to figure out when we first started going; it must have been not too long after he opened in the late 1980′s. That was back when there were exactly two people behind the counter: Mr. Ota and a nice guy nicknamed Joe. Now there are seven or eight people perfectly choreographed. It’s a big coincidence that Mr. Ota’s hometown is a couple of hours south of Kumamoto (in Hondo). He’s in my hometown, and I’m near his. Mr. Ota knows what my family likes, and he takes great pride watching our expressions after putting his original California- and Kyushu-fused creations in front of us. He has never missed with us. This meal took place about four months ago, so I’m working from the photos and my feeble memory. If the details are lacking, just enjoy the photos, and use your imagination…

Crab and tomato @ Sushi Ota

Our meal started off with the above creation, although I broke it up before I remembered to take a picture of it. It was crab meat and tomato in a savory gelatin, and it just melted in my mouth.

Avocado et al @ Sushi Ota

I need to take some notes when I go back next time because I cannot remember what was in this original masterpiece. I do remember that the avocado matched perfectly with the grated daikon, tare (sauce?), and the fish inside.

Crab et al @ Sushi Ota

This was one of those one-bite experiences that last only as long as you can chew it. There was crab involved and squid and a white fish, and that sauce!

Baked Fish @ Sushi Ota

Yes, your honor, guilty as charged. I forgot what kind of fish this was, but it was grilled to perfection and it was tender and extremely tasty.

Toro @ Sushi Ota

I understand the giant bluefin tuna is dwindling rapidly. A few orders of various parts of maguro is usual for me. This time we had one order of toro and left it at that. I hope the tuna population returns to normal soon. We should all think carefully before catching/ordering/eating any more giant bluefin tuna.

Uni (sea urchin) is a delicacy in Japan. It just so happens that the waters of the east side of the North Pacific Ocean are filled with sea urchins. Sushi Ota serves them up from both California and Japan.

Awabi @ Sushi Ota

My wife likes the awabi (abalone); I can do without it. It’s a bit too chewy for me. She said it was wonderful!

Nigiri @ Sushi Ota

Memory lapse again. As you already know, the one on the right is sake (salmon), but the one on the left eludes me right now. Perhaps another trip is in store, so I can ask…

Egg @ Sushi Ota

Our final order was tamago. I think it was the first time to order it at Sushi Ota. Check out the cool brand. :-D

Sushi Ota ? Mr. Ota

Thanks for (another) excellent meal, Mr. Ota. I can’t wait to go back! :-P

The San Diego Fires—2007

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I have had a lot of people asking about the situation in San Diego. So far, things seem to be okay with all the people I know. There are a few sources I use to keep track of what is going on there. The good folks at Channel 8 have been providing updates and maps that are useful. The latest google mashup they have there is particularly useful. Since much of the trouble that concerns me is in the North County area, The North County Times has been a good source, too. And, if you can believe it, even the City’s homepage has some useful information.

To get an idea of the devastation, I’ll link to a couple of clips that have been shown around the world. First, a little background: when I was a high school kid, I drove a 1968 VW beetle. This was back in the day when all we had were radios to listen to (man, I miss good radio…). Every afternoon, after school, and after swimming or water polo practice, I would turn on the radio and listen to “The Cruiser” on KGB. Anyone who has spent any time in San Diego knows about Larry Himmel. In fact, I kind of met him in 1979 when—silly me—I tried to refuse selling him a beer when he walked into the main bar at the Hotel Del Coronado at 1:55 am, 5 minutes before California’s law prevents the sale of alcohol. One of the cocktail waitresses (would that be ‘prepared beverage waitperson’ these days?) said I should sell him a beer, so I did.

Anyway, he is a well-known guy in San Diego, reporting on human-interest stories and cracking jokes. Here is the video of his house burning down, covered by none other than himself (I saw this video in Japan on CNN and Fuji TV’s news):

Later, after the fire was just about out, he took a walk around his house:

Larry, our hearts are with you.