Since it's been a while since we last visited Mitch's, we decided to revisit it on our staycation. The restaurant is totally renovated so where the main dining area used to only seat about 14, you walk through to an open area that seats about 30. I'm not even sure if they still have the adjacent dining area where your legs go under the table well anymore. Anyway, me likes regular seating instead of tatami seating.
We finally found a bottle of Born's Yume wa Masayume or "Dreams Come True" sake at Marukai. The Mrs had placed a standing order at HASR Wine Co - we never received a call and I assumed they didn't receive an allocation this year, but low and behold they received a six pack... and no call to the Mrs. Auwe! Anyway, the Kato Kichibee brewery only makes Daiginjo sake - about 8 or 9 of them and the Dreams Come True is aged for 5 years at 17 degrees! Yup, that's below freezing! The sitting Prime Minister of Japan at the time sent a bottle to President Obama after his first election in 2008 because if your sip it, your dreams will come true. The Born was... almost a perfect sake with white flowers, melon and citrus rind on the nose with a pleasing balance of body, acid and sweetness and with a body that made you want to keep sipping...
We started with the foie gras of the sea, Ankimo
Then progressed to a mixed platter of nigiri sushi - Uni, Shima aji, Sayuri and Kyuri rolls for C who has a shellfish allergy.
And rolled sushi - Negitoro, Negihama and Salmon Skin. The salmon skin was a revelation to the K's - it really is like fish bacon!
Then one of the Mrs' favorites - Ahi Belly, grilled to perfection!
And several more nigiri sushi - Sake (salmon), Otoro, Menpachi and Saba. If money were no object and grew on trees, I would indulge in otoro and sake ALL DAY!
We also opened a Denshin Rin Daiginjo which was earthier than the Born for the heartiest flavors.
We also sampled the Hotate (scallop), Mirugai (geoduck clam), Ama Ebi (from Japan) and more Uni for Monsieur E. I can also spend a good part of the day noshing on mirugai and hotate...
We were informed that the Japanese ama ebi didn't come with the fried heads, only the local ama ebi so we also sampled the local variety.
With the deep fried heads (way better than shrimp chips)...
K was a little late so we ordered a plate of Sake sashimi
For her Sho Chiku Bai Rei draft Junmai sake
The Van Van or broiled assorted seafood
Ika sashimi
And the Mrs' ultimate favorite, the Lobster Sashimi
Which comes with the superlative Lobster Miso Shiru... BEST miso soup on the planet!
We then finished with the Tamago (egg - actually to be a sushi chef, you first have to master this dish or the establishment doesn't even let you touch the fish... or knives), Natto rolls and assorted specials (my memory was on the downslide at this point).
And of course, we always have to finish with Champagne. In this case an Egly-Ouriet Blanc de Noir Grand Cru from Ambonnay. Rich and creamy like an aged Krug!
Another great meal with even better friends! And yes, we'll be back...
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