Once again, we waited until the last moment before using the promotional value of our Groupon. Well, it wasn't really our fault. The Groupon was originally for Indigo and they went out of business before we could redeem it and Groupon doesn't issue refunds, just credits so I HAD to purchase another Groupon. Anyway since most people were concentrating on Christmas shopping, we walked right in without any reservations and were immediately seated. The Mrs started with a Pomegranate Mojito;
While I selected a bottle of Gyukaku's Nigori sake (made by Sho Chiku Bai) with a touch of sweetness to balance the spicy flavors of the meal.
We then had the Chop Salad with avocado, edamame, greens and tofu croutons and salty-sweet dressing. I tell you, these fired tofu nuggets should go on the regular menu with a dippin' sauce!
We also sampled the Brussels Fries or fried Brussels sprouts with a wasabi aioli. Roasted or fried sprouts are always a good thing!
Along with Sweet Potato Fries
And the Vegetable Spring Rolls with sweet chili sauce
Along with the Brown Rice and Salmon Bibimbap. The brown rice also nicely charred on the bottom of the bowl like white rice... it was only missing a raw egg...
We then moved on to the Miso Skirt Steak - as tender as beef gets with a very good beef flavor
The Beef Tongue with green onion sauce - this was the one dish that hooked me at my first visit to Gyukaku several years ago.
The Smoked Pork Belly - like a thick cut bacon that was simmered before grilling... like eating bacon flavored buttah!
And the Horumon - I just had to sample these beef chitlins! They really had no taste at all. Just fat and very, very, very chewy. Oh well, I can now say I tried them.
It turned out to be a very good meal with exceptional service. We'll probably be back since the Mrs loved the Chop Salad and the Brussels sprouts and I'd like another serving of the Miso Skirt Steak and Smoked Pork Belly. I just won't purchase a Groupon the next time...
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