Sushi: I win

[MarkGrace]

You are being too hard on yourself, I'm sure you would be a much worse basketball analyst than food critic.

But as long as Boler is out there I could never be the worst, as I could possibly be as a food critic.

[DapperDan]

I think what you are seeing is a land grab for people with less discerning tastes or that are epi-curious.

Americans want to eat sushi because they think it sounds cool, but ultimately they cant get over the mental hurdle, so you see it dumbed down or dressed up with all sorts of bizarre flavors and ingredients. That Happy Sumo place that sells sashimi topped with bacon or mango or whatever else....oh brother.

You are basically surfing the Americanization wave of traditional japanese cuisine, much like our friends that eat at Cafe Rio. It tastes fine to most, and so most will eat it.

Pretty much this. I like both nigiri/sashimi and the fancy schmancy americanized rolls. So either way I win.

[Katy Lied]

Poke tossed in your bowl of poi and wash that shit down with some pog...what else can a little kid ask for? Maybe just some lomi salmon on the side.

What kind of poi? Fresh or fermented? If the latter, you sure were a discerning little grasshopper, weren't you?

[Jeff Lebowski]

One of the nastiest arguments I've had in this space is with Lebowski about sushi (it was on Cougarguard). (We had a knock down drag out one over Palestine but this one was probably worse.) The gist of the argument was whether sushi was bland and redundant enough that it didn't matter whether you bought it from a supermarket or a restaurant. Leboski went nuts when I suggested this heresy. I also expressed that the sushi fad had become tiresome, since I sampled my first sushi back in the seventies and was at that time very impressed. (Humans season, etc. for a reason, was my point.)

Well, sushi outlets are now engaging in all kinds of fatastic fusions and variations with raw fish, that have drawn people like me back on a regular basis. This started with tartar but has expanded to infinite variations of seasonings, searings rolls, etc. Another thing sushi bars are doing is adding exotic mixed drinks (something I don't like) as a sideline.

See, I was right. Sushi had to diversify to remain competitive because it was bland.

lol.

This is exactly like one of your post-byu victory spin jobs. I am vindicated!

But welcome to the club, amigo. I enjoy the fusion stuff too, but my favorite will always be fresh, high-quality nigiri-zushi. Salmon, yellowtail, tuna, eel, and albacore.

I can't wait to read about your newfound insights regarding the West Bank settlements.

[MarkGrace]

What kind of poi? Fresh or fermented? If the latter, you sure were a discerning little grasshopper, weren't you?

Just the fresh. I don't think I've ever had fermented.

[MartyFunkhouser]

As far as I can tell the last few weeks, your diet basically consists exclusively of burnt beef.

[YOhio]

One of the nastiest arguments I've had in this space is with Lebowski about sushi (it was on Cougarguard). (We had a knock down drag out one over Palestine but this one was probably worse.) The gist of the argument was whether sushi was bland and redundant enough that it didn't matter whether you bought it from a supermarket or a restaurant. Leboski went nuts when I suggested this heresy. I also expressed that the sushi fad had become tiresome, since I sampled my first sushi back in the seventies and was at that time very impressed. (Humans season, etc. for a reason, was my point.)

Well, sushi outlets are now engaging in all kinds of fatastic fusions and variations with raw fish, that have drawn people like me back on a regular basis. This started with tartar but has expanded to infinite variations of seasonings, searings rolls, etc. Another thing sushi bars are doing is adding exotic mixed drinks (something I don't like) as a sideline.

See, I was right. Sushi had to diversify to remain competitive because it was bland.

Sushi "Swish!" You win.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think what you are seeing is a land grab for people with less discerning tastes or that are epi-curious.

Americans want to eat sushi because they think it sounds cool, but ultimately they cant get over the mental hurdle, so you see it dumbed down or dressed up with all sorts of bizarre flavors and ingredients. That Happy Sumo place that sells sashimi topped with bacon or mango or whatever else....oh brother.

You are basically surfing the Americanization wave of traditional japanese cuisine, much like our friends that eat at Cafe Rio. It tastes fine to most, and so most will eat it.

This isn't really fair. There is some truth to what you are saying (deep-fried sushi being the prime example), but if we are going to thumb our noses at all forms of fusion or adaptation in our cuisine, there won't be much left on the plate (speaking of all types of cuisine). And if I recall correctly from our earlier discussions, you aren't exactly comfortable with all forms of authentic Japanese sushi yourself.

Fusion can be a good thing. A very good thing sometimes.

[wuapinmon]

I love almost anything sushi. I'll eat it all, try it all, but my favorites will always be:

• Hamachi
• Unagi
• Ama Ebi
• Toro
• Maguro

[Clark Addison]

When I was in Phoenix (Scottsdale actually) a couple of weeks ago, I needed to eat dinner, so I just went to the place directly across the street from the hotel, which looked nice. It turned out to be fabulous, and had a lot of the type of stuff that has been mentioned here. I had some of the best sushi I've had lately. The place was called Roka Akor, for those who might be visiting there soon.

I also like "plain" sushi quite a bit, so I don't know if I win or I lose.

[marsupial]

I don't get the mental hurdle. I also don't get the texture thing, which I hear people say all the time. It's just raw fish...wtf? Maybe it's just normal to me since raw fish (the maui onion poke at Masa & Joyce!) has been my favorite food since I was about three. Poke tossed in your bowl of poi and wash that shit down with some pog...what else can a little kid ask for? Maybe just some lomi salmon on the side.

The texture of sushi is really part of the appeal. I love the texture. However, what I really like about sushi is wasabi. Sushi is the vehicle that delivers the wasabi. Love the sinus burn. Love it.

[SeattleUte]

This isn't really fair. There is some truth to what you are saying (deep-fried sushi being the prime example), but if we are going to thumb our noses at all forms of fusion or adaptation in our cuisine, there won't be much left on the plate (speaking of all types of cuisine). And if I recall correctly from our earlier discussions, you aren't exactly comfortable with all forms of authentic Japanese sushi yourself.

Fusion can be a good thing. A very good thing sometimes.

3D is supposed to be a fine food guy, but we've learned he doesn't drink wine or like sushi, lobster or chocolate, and he doesn't get fusion.

BTW, ultimately everything is fusion; food like music is a map of human progression.

[TripletDaddy]

3D is supposed to be a fine food guy, but we've learned he doesn't drink wine or like sushi, lobster or chocolate, and he doesn't get fusion.

BTW, ultimately everything is fusion; food like music is a map of human progression.

Not sure it is relevant. For example, you do drink wine, eat lobster and chocolate and sushi, yet you are not considered at all to be a fine food guy.

[SeattleUte]

Not sure it is relevant. For example, you do drink wine, eat lobster and chocolate and sushi, yet you are not considered at all to be a fine food guy.

At least you appreciate foi gras.

[TripletDaddy]

At least you appreciate foi gras.

It is very delish. I am no friend to the Goose lobby.