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.