Kotobuki

Let's be real...I'm no sushi snob. I do enjoy me a fresh piece of fish, but I don't need you to take me to Sushi of Gari or Sushi Yasuda. I mean if you offer, I won't deny [uni all day every day]...but my sushi cravings have recently been fulfilled by the delicious Kotobuki. 

Kotobuki is the hub for tri-state area Jews. Let's be real Kotobuki eaters, they have 3 locations on Long Island and one in Manhattan. Have you ever gone in there and not seen a fellow Jew? Whether it's your camp friend or your hebrew school buddy, you know this place is japped out. What I'm trying to get at here is Kotobuki is no sushi secret. Everyone and their grandma has heard of this place, so don't get all choked up if you think I'm letting a secret out here. 

Spicy Tuna Pizza

Do yourself a favor and start your meal with the Spicy Tuna Pizza: crunchy rice & nori crust topped w/ layers of spicy tuna & shredded crab salad w/ tobiko, soy-mayo, scallions. Sometimes I get overwhelmed by it all and can only handle a few bites, but it's worth the few bites. Crispy, sweet, salty, raw tuna-y...it's got it all!

K-Mac Sliders

The next must order of your meal will be the K-Mac Sliders: chopped tuna, rice, tempura flakes, scallion “patties” topped w/ avocado, romaine hearts & spicy mayo on a rice cracker "bun." I like to call these babies the Kate Mac Sliders because they're so good they should be named after me. Two come in an order and I could probably eat both of these without sharing, so I recommend ordering more than one. 

Holy Tuna & Shogun Rolls

Every roll I've ever had at Kotobuki, I've really enjoyed, so I'm not marking these must orders, but if you need some guidance in the roll department, you can't fail with these two.

Shogun: riceless, crabstick, salmon, tuna, yellowtail, avocado, scallions, tobiko roll wrapped w/ cucumber & seaweed & topped w/ crab salad 

Holy Tuna: crab salad, scallion, crunchy roll w/ avocado & tuna on top

Sushi & Sashimi For 1

Yes, you've read this correctly. This entire plate is meant for one person and it's only $32. Did I down this thing alone? Hells no! I split this baby between two others with some appetizers and we were stuffed! 

The fish is fresh to death and the prices are spot on. You can't beat Kotobuki. It's in the East Village, just go! 

Kotobuki 

56 Third Avenue

New York, NY

212.353.5088

Chopped - Retreat Edition

On my company retreat this past week, it was announced that everyone was going to be taking part in a chopped competition. We were all given a number with an associated basket. Slowly, my team member and I open our basket to find.....SALAD! Immediately  our smiles were placed with frowns and we new shit had hit the fan. Who could win with the salad course? Arugula, organes, jicama, and the rest I don't remember because I blacked out once I realized there was no way we were taking home the prize....

After a few words of encouragement to one another, we decided to make the most of it and just try our best. Before we knew it we had things cooking, dressing being made, and eggs frying...To make a long story short, we kept our eye on the clock and rocked the salad course out. 

I honestly don't even know where to begin with this concoction. It has no name and I don't even want to try and give it one...Arugula with toasted almonds, orange/soy sauce challah croutons, rice noodles, chili/soy potato bits, bruleed clementines, julienned apples, topped off with fried eggs and a citrus asian vinaigrette. All the flavors and ingredients married together quite amazingly. 

The end result????