Wild Akami Tuna from the Coast of Andalucia
I must interrupt my series on Why I Travel to bring you a gastronomic interlude worthy of kings and dinosaurs.
(**NOTE** – I finally figured out how to put sharing buttons on my posts so now you can easily link to your social outlets and please do..cheers)
Last night in celebration of Juliet accepting an extension to keep us here in Denver through the summer we dined at the highly touted Sushi Den. Long regarded as one of the most excellent examples of great fish service in the USA we have anticipated this experience for nearly 9 months before finally taking the plunge.
Sushi Den is known for their daily arrivals of fresh market fish flown in from Fukuoka on Kyushu Island, Japan. The brother of the two chefs and owners of Sushi Den selects the fish and manages the fresh packing and direct shipments to Denver. The results are unique varieties of fish and exceptional examples of location which to many of us who adore sushi are the keys to excellence (along with the skills of the chefs and the handling of the product).
As soon as we rolled in the door at half past eight there was not a seat in a restaurant that was much larger than anticipated. The GM met us at the door and immediately complimented me on my Rockmount shirt (I am not kidding). He then told us we should sit at the owner, Yasu Kizaki’s station which we of course accepted. The hostess said it could be an hour wait for his station so we plopped down at the bar and started on Sake’ a 300ml bottle of Suijin Junmai (+10) Iwate, Japan. Crisp and brilliant I knew I was in the right place. In only 1/2 an hour we were seated.
Suijin Junmai Sake'
Chef Yasu looked us over immediately and probably assumed I was a bit of a DB in my loud and beautiful stitched shirt. When I told him I wanted him to drive the truck he seemed very skeptical. He asked me to tell him what we eat. I told him we are adventurous and he said, “No, tell me what you eat!” I said seriously we are wide open. “Where you from?’ He belted! I said, totally wanting to set a picture I would not have to explain, New York City! “Where you eat there?” he said still very uncertain of our experience level. I fired back calmly ‘Sushi Yasuda”.
With that he said “ahhh Yah-soo-da…now I know where to start”
We began with oysters and finished with literally a bowl of unreal Uni. As the night progressed he began to love us, lighten up, and eventually invite us to meet his brother (the founder, Toshi) and enjoy a level well above his own, as he put it. I can say in all honesty this was a Top 10 sushi experience in a canon of eating that has bordered on obsessive for the past 7 years
We plowed through another 2 carafes of this amazing sake’ suggested by our chef and his Sake Sommelier.
Tears of Dawn - Daiginjo
I never intended to write a review on Sushi Den so I had no notes with me but I do have these lovely photos taken by Juliet and me.
Cheers to great sushi and a brilliant evening of celebration!
6 Washington Oysters Dressed with Chili and Yuzu
A Sampling of Sashimi Specials of the Evening
My first Needlefish - Amazing with Shiso and Sesame
Ten Qoo Chu Toro (from the home island) and Wild Hawaiian Kanpachi
House-Smoked Ankimo (Monk fish liver) with Daikon and Caviar - like an amazing buttery foie-gras with a salty, briny bite..sublime!
Wild Tuna, fresh wasabi and live Scallop (Hotate)
Ginger Sashimi - Bluefin Akami
Sashimi of Salmon and Scallop with Bonito Flake
Bincho with Fresh Wasabi
Hamachi Belly with Jalapeno and Cilantro
My shot of the Bluefin and Ginger - Chef asked us to scoop and eat this with a spoon
An assortment of fish done Aburi style (ancient way of heat preserving fish for service prior to refrigeration)
Our Intrepid Chef Yasu Kizaki and one of his very talented colleagues (they all specialize in the traditional Omakase)
About Michael Housewright
A sublime experience indeed!
hahahahahaha! Schmee is here
Wow, this food looks incredibly tasty!! I also enjoyed your description of the exchange between you and the Chef – I can very much imagine it! Haha
yeah, he thought I was a hack and I enjoy a challenge. By the end he knew we were fully legit
Thanks for the comment and I am glad you enjoyed the photos..we love to take them
It looks like you had a feast to dine on. I know it was worth the wait.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
It was indeed my friend…sake’ makes my head swim
miam miam miam! I’m a sushi-addict (sushiholic? is that a word?) Anyway. So much so that I’ve resorted to picking up copious amounts of packaged, mass-produced sushi – just for myself – on my way home from work. And I don’t know if I should be ashamed of it, but I don’t care really.
I’m so jealous of all that gorgeousness you got to eat! Look, just look at that wild tuna!
I think the mass-produced sushi is likely better for you than a burger and if it keeps you engaged and compelled to try the great stuff cheers to that! Thank you so much for your kind comment and your obvious excitement. IT was a great evening for us
holy cow that looks like a gorgeous feast!
It was indeed Molly and the sake was sublime
Great photos. How in the hell can you eat all that? Glad you will be around for awhile Mike.
I dont know man..that was the most I had ever eaten at one sitting..
Okay, okay! I admit I have not been a fan of sushi (we will not go into the many bad examples I have attempted)… forgive me. I date back to the days when the infamous, nasty California rolls flooded the world in… the 70′s?
These photos alone entice me to give sushi another chance. What’s more exciting might be the sake. Konteki Tears of Dawn Daiginjo!
A bottle of this elixir would have me writing as if I was Marichiko herself… “Love me. At this moment we are the happiest People in the world.” Before there was Italy there was Japan!
You would be stellar writing poetry and slammed on Sake’. I would join you for that indeed. Next time we are in Dallas I am taking you for sushi at Tei-Tei. They get it right for sure
If I can write an ode to a diesel Mercedes I hear coming around the corner ‘delivering my once true love’ after a bottle of wine… Heaven be prepared for slobbering from a bottle of sake! But I will take you up on the sushi at Tei-Tei.
I’m glad you had a yummy evening. I love sushi also. Haven’t had quite the ultimate experience you had…yet!
Well, if you are ever in NYC, SF, LA, Dallas, Austin, Houston, of Denver I can guide you to where it will blow your doors, your mind, and definitely your wallet
I’d like to hear what you’ve got for Austin….
Kate for Austin I have my original and still #1 experience Uchi followed by Uchiko and now I really love Kome’ I would say for the size of the city Austin is killing it with sushi. What do you think?
I’ve actually not been to any, as the Austin scene that attracts me has been other places… which is why I asked for your recommendation; I’d like to try a great sushi place there.
Thanks! Komé looks amazing. ^_^
Uchi is honestly one of the top 2 dining experiences of my life outside of Italy and someone’s home. I would suggest it as a must visit. I would call in advance and see if chef Masa is working at Uchi ot Uchiko these days. He is one of the best I have ever known and sitting at his station if you let him create will blow you away. I strongly in fact urge you to arrive at opening time if you want to sit at a particular sushi station. Both Uchi and Uchiko get unbelievably busy and the wait can be almost 2 hours on a busy night. Kome’ is a wonderful addition to the scene and for a lovely experience with fish and quality beverages I would give it a shot. However, I go where Masa is when I am in Austin and a 2-3 hour Omakase at the sushi bar at Uchi or Uchiko has always been life enriching beyond the simple components of food or drink it has been a synergy of experience I have only had in NYC or some places in Italy. I am eager to hear your thoughts as the food scene in Austin is very dear to me. Thanks for the follow again and your comments, I look forward to more of your blog!
As amazing as those photos look above, I make things difficult, going to a sushi restaurant, as I am a vegetarian (lacto-ovo). So that rules out any awesome sashimi/other fish-related experience… but I do enjoy a good veggie sushi roll, as well as other Japanese vegetarian-friendly dishes I can find. Uchi does look like an interesting place… might have to see what I can find.
Thank you so much for your recommendations; they’re much appreciated. ^_^
Oh my gosh, of course! Thank you for finding me; I enjoy reading your posts immensely. And likewise – I look forward to more from you.
hey, I am confident any of my places can rock lacto-ovo..I assume that means you eat eggs and milk products?
Haha! Yes.
Jason now wants to sushi dine with you both as he is just as adventurous. Uni is a personal fave of his. He’s wondering if you have a picture of that? All of these pictures were phenomenal! I wish I was in Denver right now! *drool* Cheers!
JJ,
Tell Jason we were too hammered on Sake by the time the Uni came around to take a photo. It was served with seaweed shards and homemade soy sauce. I am sure it was also 20 bucks
You guys should come out!!
Jason said that makes perfect sense to him!
P
If we *can* come out you’ll have to make reservations. We’re starting a sushi/MJ/JJ fund now.
P
OMG
Thats what I said when I saw the bill
Those are truly amazing shots Michael! Everything looks so delicious. I don’t know about the monk fish liver though, I’ve never seen that before. Now I’m on a quest to try it. What’s the proper way to eat it?
Monk fish liver usually has the texture of foie-gras with a subtle ocean brine flavor to it. This is the best I have ever had and I recommend it for sure if you are at all adventurous. My choices for you would be Tei-An, Teppo, or Tei Tei Robata bar in Dallas.
Glad you enjoyed it. Not a sea food fan but guess I’m missing something and don’t know it!
John,
I think it is an acquired taste but once the light goes on, it stays on
You didn’t need to have paper and pen with you for notes….the photos tell the story. Wow!
Photos they say are worth a 1000 words. In this case they are worth at least 300 bucks
Wow, you’ve made me really jealous — it looks like you had an amazing experience!
It was indeed Andre! This would be an excellent stop-over for your adventures my friend
Yum!
Susie you guys should come down and go with us next time
We would love too! Email me at susielindau@gmail.com. I was talking to my husband about hiking with you and he said, ‘What is his name again?” I said, “Blissful Adventurer. The guy with all the funny stories about Italy and Mexico.” Hahaha! Tune into my blog tomorrow…
Wow, really gotta have some sushi, maintenant!
That was why we had to go on Friday. I can usually only make it about 4 weeks without the good stuff
looks like a helluva night!
It was indeed
I love sushi! Great pics. Want to eat there myself now
Thank you! It is indeed worth the wait, effort, and expense
Ok, now I want to have sushi for dinner but my favourite is closed on Sundays,
. Maybe tomorrow…
The photographs are very well done Sushi Shots.:)
We do not have much opportunity for sushi in our area. As totally inexperienced in this area dining, I would not know what to try. Your post provides a glimpse at a wondrous.experience .
Yes, it was and is a glorious feast. Where are you that sushi is hard to come by?
The Ankimo almost made my mouth overflow in an explosive torrent of saliva.
Now I must clean my keyboard.
Thanks, Michael.
It was drool-worthy sir! You would have loved it
Although I’m not a fan of sushi, I love the making of process and how it looks! I can visit a sushi bar or restaurant just to watch! Nice shots!
Thank you so much for your comment and I hope you may find some sushi you enjoy one day. You would love the one here in Denver if you ever visit
I need sushi date night now! My boyfriend will be looking for you after I spend all his money on fish!
Looks so good.
just put it on a credit card