Week Six- Aryioshi

Sometimes I find myself getting very moody in the hours leading up to mystery ethnic dinner.  Like many people I am a creature of habit and instinctively loath our mystery meals; it is far more comforting to know when, where and what you are going to eat.  Last Saturday I especially dreaded the production surrounding the event.   However, I knew I had to put a smile on my face for the sake of the cause. 

This week was Danielle’s choice.  My brother and I drove to Joe’s apartment anticipating picking him and Danielle up.  Instead we were told to park the car in a vacant spot.  Danielle informed us that we were staying local that night and walking to the destination.  Upon hearing this information I exclaimed to Brendan “I sure hope we are going to Aryioshi” which is Joe’s favorite sushi restaurant in the Cleveland area. 

My wishes were granted when Danielle led us into the Lee road restaurant.  We took our seats at the bar so we could get a front row view of the sushi chefs at work.   Joe, the sushi expert ordered in a matter of moments while I on the other hand found myself agonizing over my decision.  I eventually decided on a Rainbow roll (my standby) and octopus sushi.  I had never had octopus and I am on this whole “try new foods” kick.  For example, I had tripe at dim sum a few weeks ago, goat curry at the last mystery dinner and alligator on my recent visit to Florida.  So octopus just seemed appropriate.  Economically minded Brendan ordered the “Sushi Deluxe” meal for $16.95.

The chef’s prepared Joe and Danielle’s 007 and Dragon rolls first.  They were gracious and allowed me to try a piece of the 007 roll which had yummy bbq sauce on it.  Joe insisted that we passed every piece of sushi from chopstick to chopstick in order to work on my skills- thankfully no sushi was compromised during this process.   After a short wait the chefs placed Brendan and my orders on the counter.  I was both anxious and excited to try my octopus.  I expected it to taste like calamari but not deep fried or served hot with dipping sauce on the side.  It looked like pretty white flower petals with purple bordering its ruffled edge.  The two piece were simply prepared with a slice of octopus over a nugget of white rice.  I dipped the first piece in soy sauce and popped it in my mouth.  It was cold, rubbery and lacked a strong flavor.  I didn’t hate it, but I gave the second piece to Joe.  I figured he would enjoy it more than me.  However, my rainbow roll was delicious.  I love the combination of buttery avocado, salmon, tuna and yellowtail. 

The best part of the night was getting an up close view of the sushi chefs.  Normally in a sushi restaurant I sit at a table, so this was a treat.  They worked quickly and meticulously and created a variety or beautiful rolls.  The most memorable moment was watching the chef pull out his containers of various colors of roe for the particular roll that he was working on.  He placed a different color of roe (green, orange, red and black) on top of each piece of sushi.  Next time I will have to try a different one of their creations.

After the meal we made it a double ethnic night by walking next door to Lopez.  With our mango margaritas in hand we cheered to another successful Cleveland mystery ethnic dinner. 

Give Ariyoshi a go! http://www.ariyoshijapanesesushi.com/home.html