Masu Part 2: Birthday Dinner

In my previous blog, I outlined my Masu test drive. I was satisfied with it, and decided it was an accessible medium for people to enjoy, so I made my reservations, hoping to snag the swanky black and white booth for my estimated party of 10. And...I did!

As I was seated underneath the wall scattered about with Munny dolls, I was ready to get my Izakaya (small plate bites!) on, my sushi on, my Japanese on! I enjoy going a little crazy with small plates, and since most of my friends were already present when I arrived, I dove right in.

The Izakaya menu is divided between cold and hot selections. My selections were the Crispy Pork Kara-age ($6.5), Shrimp Edamame and Shitake Spring Rolls ($8), and the popular Grilled Rice Balls (yaki onigiri.) For some reason, I couldn't find them on the online menu, but they're pretty cheap, around $5 for two. I also ordered a Gummi Sochu Sour in Ginger Peach, I suppose to ensure that I still didn't care for them much.

For my sushi, I decided to try my first Omakase! Masu follows guidelines and recommendations from the Monterey Bay Aquarium regarding sustainability. Apparently, 75% of the world's fisheries are fished to capacity, or overfished. This is why you won't see a standard fish selection (i.e. unagi, yellowtial) here. I am especially pleased to see they offer Anago, which I describe as "Unagi Supreme.  

Masu's Omakase consists of: 4 nigiri, 1 Hosomaki (thin roll), 2 Futomaki (specialty rolls), and 2 hand rolls to a minimum of 2 people, at $18 per person. So that = $36 for a mess of sushi for 2 people to eat!

Shrimp Edamame and Shitake Spring Rolls

Japanese Spring Rolls are different from what some people may associate a spring roll with. The gummy/soft rice paper versions are mainly Vietnamese or Thai. Japanese are smaller, fried versions. These spring rolls came across to me as non-descript. I wasn't able to discern any specific bits of shrimp, edamame, or shitake. I should have ordered the steamed buns I spied my friends eating, as they were generous and looked delicious.

Pork Kara-Age

 I've never had kara-age before, but my understanding is that it is yet another Japanese frying technique, akin to fried chicken. Crispy and succulent? Unfortunately, this was neither. It was limp, chewy, and had no detectable pork inside. I'm sure it was there, I suppose I couldn't find it. The plethora of dipping sauces (the dollops are supposed to be a mustard-mayonnaise thing, I think), were absolutely required in order to give this thing any flavor. I ended up eating one of them before moving on.

Grilled Rice Balls

I've heard great reviews about these, and mine won't differ. The first thing I'd like to remark on is the portion size. These plump rice triangles are quite filling! The textural contrast is not your typical crunchy-soft delight, but a sesame-seedy, chewy sticky rice-y one. A tad bland on their own, the ginger/soy sauce gives it the touch of salt and spice it needs. Just like a nice bowl of sticky rice with sesame and sauce, in fun eating form.

Somewhere in all this, my lovely friends bought me a specialty cocktail. The famous Lucky Millionaire Mojito, served with a lottery ticket. In my mind, a good mojito is light and herbacious. These mojitos have kalamansi lime at the base, lending a sour flavor.

 

Omakase

From top left to right:

Arctic Surf Clam nigiri, Scallop nigiri, Striped Bass nigiri, and Arctic Surf Clam again. 2 Scottish Salmon hand rolls. Bottom left was a Dynamite Futomaki roll (Tuna and Albacore Tuna with Avocado and chili sauce.) Smack dab in the middle is the Poke Futomaki roll (which I got last time and reviewed at this link), and on the bottom was our Hosomaki (thin roll) of Salmon and Cucumber.

I started off with the Arctic Surf Clam nigiri. I've been a tad adventerous with nigiri before (ika, mackarel), but had never had clam. I remember saying "I'm scared" as I raised it to my mouth. I popped it in, chewed and waited for...something. That something most fortunately turned out to be sweet, succulent, al dente (not chewy or rubbery, but not the velvet lush you  get from flounder, or bass) nigiri treat!The striped bass was clean and lush, and my Omakase partner got the scallop. 

The Dynamite roll was exquisite. I didn't detect much spice, but the combination and structure was remarkable. The Poke roll was just as I remembered it. The Hosomaki were tasty morsels, and a nice break away from Futomaki pieces, brimming with ingredients. 

The hand rolls were a little more difficult to me. I've become accustomed to eating sushi in small or large bites at a time. Eating a big bite out of a hand roll seemed strange to me. Like if you were used to tea sandwiches, and then were handed a regular old sandwich. It was my first time eating them, so I would give it another try or two before I deliver a verdict. 

My overall conclusion of Masu: The sushi is exceptional. Among the best I've had. Not so much for small plates (for those, go here) and I've heard the ramen and noodle dishes are actually bland. For it being close by, and having a decent happy hour, I will definitely return when a sushi excursion beckons.

Masu NE Minneapolis: Part One

Masu in NE Minneapolis was popular before it even opened it's doors to the public. I remember driving by, so pleased about sushi so very close to my house. Then it opened, and I never went! Shame. So I decided that my birthday dinner this year had to take place there. I didn't have a good idea of how many people would actually come, so I called far in advance to notify Masu that I wanted reservations, but the number of people could be between 6-12. They told me that they can't split bills with parties that size. I tried to explain to them that people may come and go at different times. The girl on the phone expressed some doubt and hesitance. I got uneasy at their capability at handling small groups. So I decided to wait on the reservation, and do a happy hour test drive of Masu, which I've decided to review as Part One.

Although Masu's happy "hours" are nothing uncommon (M-F, 3-6, yadda yadda), the specials are decent. $3 sake, $4 tap beer, $5 wine, and $6 for the popular Sochu Gummi Sours, which are normally $8. The food varies from $2 at the cheapest (kappa sushi) to $11.5 being the most expensive (Firecracker Roll.)

Photos of Masu can be found easily, and for good reason. The space is modest, colorful but dark, sleek, and ornate. With dramatic wall sized geisha-style models, Munny Dolls sprinkled about, sake barrels stacked, and of course the Pachinko machines. The centerpiece to this moderate space is the sushi bar, halved with the actual bar, which gives it bar-height seating. I bustled in and hunkered down.

People have mentioned that there's a high energy to Masu. That it can be noisy, even frantic. I found it to be none of those things. I found the atmosphere to be run of the mill Japanese restaurant; trendy, aesthetically pleasing, sufficient. No stress vibes at all.

I was very curious about the Sochu Gummi Sours. I love gummi bears, and I love Sochu (which is like sake, but stronger.) I chose the Lovey Gummi (japanese cherry blossom, green tea) after my helpful server described it. I also ordered the Ginger Glazed Chicken Wings ($7), and the Poke Futomaki Roll (marinated tuna, wakame seaweed, scallion, avocado, cucumber - $8)

Sochu Lovey Gummi

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The drink came out in less than 10 minutes, and I was a bit disappointed to see how small it was. The pictures I had seen of them before looked like they were served in a pint glass. Sadly, they are served in a small round glass, like the kind you get a cocktail in at a dive bar. I personally found this popular drink to be ho-hum. It was tart, not sweet, and not substantial enough. Especially for a regular price of $8. Yikes! There are many more intriguing cocktails here for $1-$2 more. If I had that much money to spend on a drink (never) I would buy a specialty cocktail instead of another Sochu Sour. Even for $6 on happy hour, not worth it.

Ginger Glazed Chicken Wings

The wings came out within 15 minutes, and were served with a damp, hot towel. The flavors were mildly sweet, with a touch of heat, and a hint of sesame. The meat wasn't substantial, nor meager. They were not fatty or chewy. I've encountered many a succulent wing, and this comes in a few notches below them. Tasty, but not dynamite.

Poke Roll

They serve the rolls on your own wooden plank, and Masu places important on presentation. This was by far the best Futomaki roll I've ever had. Not in the sense of the combination, which is fairly standard. But the textures, the structure, and the absolute freshness make this an exceptional sushi roll. The fish is the star, the avocado co-stars, and the cucumber reminds you to use your teeth. 

My total = $28.98, including tip. Not a steal, but not bad for what I got! Stay tuned for the birthday blog!

Resurrection.

Greetings,

After what has been a long and contemplative hiatus, I'm content to report I've decided to resurrect Boullabaisse Brain. My intention is to still keep it food-centric, with reviews on occasional different topics. Instead of assigning anything specific, I'm giving myself the freedom to review anything I feel strongly/specific about. In order to give it some focus, and to avoid a resurrection crash-and-burn, my promise to the overall blog theme is: quality, not quantity.

I started the blog back in 2009, because ever since I can remember I've had a driving need for expression. Since I wasn't afforded any necessarily creative talents, the expression took root verbosely, or via written word. And it is that simple.

I don't make claims on being excellent at anything. That's why I started to give up on Boullabaisse Brain in 2011. With the new year around the corner, time moves faster, and value systems shift. Following your bliss, perseverance, and vitality become more important than perfection or excellence.

Regardless, I continue to hope you enjoy what I have to say, as much as I enjoy writing it!

Fiona Apple: Minneapolis, July 16th 2012.

Fiona Apple returned to Minneapolis at the Orpheum Theater for the first time in 6 years on July 16th, 2012, touring for her new album, The Idler Wheel...I (along with many others, I assume) was very curious and in anticipation of Apple's return, as past reviews have not been exactly in her favor. I have been a big fan ever since the beginning of her career, as most of us have, with my personal favorite album being When The Pawn...I gave The Idler Wheel a few listens, and admittedly found it to be a challenging listen. So I approached the performance with mixed feelings, but wiped the slate clean and opened up to the experience.

The following are my thoughts on certain songs that I especially enjoyed.

She started off strong, with a bright version of Fast As You Can. Spinning around in strobe -style lights to the opening drums, with precise articulation of the complicated lyrical structure the song holds, it did the trick to disarm the audience.

She then delved into On the Bound. Belting out "You're all I need" with a desperation greater than what is conveyed in the album version. The neediness and insecurity of the song was raw and ever present in her performance.

Shadowboxer was up next, and it was a lush lament on lost love and abandonment. Soulful and thick.

Paper Bag was a gem. Whimsical and pessimistic all at once, she emphasized phrases with wormy twists and rigid foot stomping, in her eccentric little Fiona way.

Get Gone was next, and was one of my favorite performances of the night. Headstrong, raw and scornful. The part where she sings "fucking go" gave me the chills, which it never has with the album version.

Sleep to Dream was awesome. With guitarist Blake Mills holding the reigns, the song began with it's natural groove, and expanded. The way Fiona sang the song in her classic way, while also adding her new, grown up self to it made the song shiny, but reflective. Extraordinary Machine was passionate and reflective. The way she sang "I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine" was no longer for the sake of being sing-songy and indulgent. She sang it with a self assured tone that made you feel honestly happy for her.

I Know was captivating, mournful, and quietly bittersweet.

Every Single Night is her newest single on rotation here in Minneapolis. While my impression of it at first was difficult, I found it well composed and focused live. "I just wanna feel everything."

Carrion was towards the end of the night, and was incredibly powerful and stunning. It was slightly improvised vocally, primal, and self righteous. Hearing her howl "I've gone away" gave it a crescendo, and Blake broke through every exterior with his awesome guitar.

Criminal was the last song before her encore. I was surprised she chose to play it, and by the end I was pleased she chose to play it (unlike some artists who will never play their big hit live/Thom Yorke\) It was everything your old favorite is not. Comfortable in its own skin, Fiona reclaimed it and made it her own. Because after all, it IS hers, and hers alone....

As you can see, she played many old songs, which I interpret as making up for lost time and greatly appreciate. She played a total of 4 new songs on a 17 song setlist. Regardless of any comments about her appearance, her performance was triumphant. Her voice was often booming, jittery,(love or hate it, it's probably her style now), in tune, and raw in sections. Many times she would stand, wound up tightly and stamping her foot to her words, but eventually she would dance and spiral with fervent unconstraint. Nothing was ever forced, she was mostly confident, passionate, ardent, and reflective. Before her last song (a Conway Twitty song) she announced that it was to be her encore, and we should pretend she went off stage and came back on. A classy end to the night.

Her new songs were well portrayed and focused live. I get a feeling that there is a bit of genius behind these songs, not easily grasped with the naked ear. One could get the sense that our fragile Fiona is going to be (gasp!)....alright.

Setlist: Fast As You Can  /  On the Bound  /  Shadowboxer  /  Paper Bag  /  Anything We Want  /   Get Gone  /  Sleep to Dream  /  Extraordinary Machine  /  Werewolf  /  Tymps  /  Daredevil  /  I Know  /  Every Single Night  /  Not About Love  /  Carrion  /  Criminal  /  It's Only Make Believe (Conway Twitty cover)