Raymond’s Sushi Adventures: Episode #219: Minami Restaurant (2nd Go to)

As quickly because the restaurant lineup for Dine Out Vancouver was launched, I scoured the web site to see if there have been any new sushi eating places I might strive. Disappointingly, there have been none. Since I tend to dislike meals that aren’t sometimes consumed utilizing chopsticks, I selected to stay with sushi. Lara was my eating companion that day, and having heard that she had by no means been to both Miku or Minami, we determined to go over to Minami for dinner (Miku was not collaborating in Dine Out).

Positioned on the tiny avenue of very posh and wallet-unfriendly eating places in the midst of Yaletown, Minami is likely one of the 5 eating places on the road that serve Japanese fusion (the others being Kibo, Kuma, Sushi Maro, and Bistro Sakana). Despite the fact that we went on a Tuesday, the restaurant was predictably busy. Nonetheless, the service remained environment friendly, and the timing of our meals was on level.

Market Beets and Citrus – A-

First on our desk was the Market Beets and Citrus, which got here with grapefruit, Okanagan goat cheese mousse, wild child arugula, basil pesto, yuzu marmalade, and soy balsamic discount. We discovered the grapefruit smooth and delectable, and it went properly with the pesto sauce. The beets additionally had a pleasantly smooth chew, with a texture akin to very juicy carrots.

Aburi Hamachi Nigiri – A-

Hamachi Nigiri – A-

Hokkaido Scallop Nigiri with Mentaiko – A+

Minami Roll – A-

Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi – A

Aburi Ebi Oshi Sushi – A

Subsequent up was a plate that includes a few of Minami’s signature sushi choices, with two items of Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi, arguably their most infamous merchandise. Each bit of sushi was garnished with fastidiously chosen components, and the feel of the sushi rice was basically excellent. The spotlight right here was the Hokkaido Scallop Nigiri, the place the creaminess and sweetness of the scallop was past that of any scallop nigiri I’ve ever had. The Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi and Aburi Ebi Oshi Sushi felt barely drier than standard, however had been in any other case fastidiously ready.

Coconut Poached Half Lobster Tail – A-

Miso Sakekasu Baked Sablefish – A+

For my entrée, I had the Surf, which got here with the Coconut Poached Half Lobster Tail and the Miso Sakekasu Baked Sablefish. The lobster tail got here with tender meat and a candy, buttery sauce that complemented the sweetness of the lobster meat. Nevertheless, it was fairly troublesome to get the meat out of the shell. Whereas I fortunately managed to slip the meat out of my lobster tail in a single piece, Lara needed to laboriously scoop the meat out of the shell little by little. The Miso Sakekasu Baked Sablefish was executed to close perfection, with crispy pores and skin and a melt-in-your-mouth burst of savoury flavours.

Sesame Soy Glazed Obie Braiser – A-

Lara had the Surf & Turf for her entrée, which got here with an Obie Braiser (braised Alberta beef) and the identical Coconut Poached Half Lobster Tail above. The wasabi sauce utilized on the meat gave it a powerful spicy kick. The meat was barely more durable on the surface, however very smooth and succulent on the within.

Hojicha Mousse – A+

The dessert for the Dine Out dinner menu was the Hojicha Mousse. The mousse was very smooth and had a distinguished inexperienced tea flavour. The garnishes on the facet included white chocolate shortbread, ginger crumble, raspberry coulis, two blackberries, two raspberries, two blueberries, and a black stripe of some mysterious sauce that tasted mysteriously bland. The spotlight (and what persuaded me to present out an A+) was the half teaspoon of very wealthy and candy inexperienced tea on prime of the mousse that introduced life and vigour to this dessert. It is too dangerous that there wasn’t extra of it, as I’d have cherished a thick, candy and syrupy drink. Okay, on second thought, perhaps that may not be such a good suggestion…

The service was skilled all through our keep, and the meals was unsurprisingly well-executed. Regardless of the slight hiccup on the Aburi Salmon Oshi Sushi, their signature dish, the mastery displayed in a few of the different dishes made up for it. The innovation and the superb consideration to element made this an pleasant dinner for each of us.