sawa is the new sister restaurant of sushi kaneyoshi. it’s right next door inside an intimate cocktail bar with wood carvings, black subway tiles and a far wall lined with hibiki whisky. the food menu is omakase only and is meant to be paired with cocktails. i don’t think i’ve ever seen sushi paired with cocktails before. the food, drinks menu, and vibe of the place was kind of like a cross between sushi of gari, shibumi and bar leather apron but more fun.
The bar seats four to six and is headed by anthony-san from kaneyoshi, natalia handles the cocktails and katsu assists.
shoutout to @formersushichef and @justinpeachpeach for the great company.
highlights
smoked chutoro with shiso sauce
ankimo
katsuo with onion, apple, garlic and ponzu
masu with pickled shallots
aji
seared otoro, chopped serrano chiles
new caledonia blue shrimp
hotate
soy sauce cheesecake
nitpicks
very light meal. a bang bang with needle would have been perfect.
for each course anthony-san prepares the entire counter’s nigiri before serving, he was very meticulous but that resulted in the rice getting a little cold by the time you ate it.
fried tachiuo with shibazuke tartar sauce
like a fancy fof
smoked chutoro with shiso sauce
this was like fish butter
the gravity b̶o̶n̶g̶ smoker
ankimo
tai kobujime
shima aji
katsuo with onion, apple, garlic and ponzu
masu, pickled shallots
loved the acidity and texture from the shallots
kanpachi, sesame oil, salted ginger
aji, shiso
yari ika, yuzu, asetra caviar
seared otoro, chopped serrano chiles
serranos weren’t hot at all and was a nice complement to the fatty otoro.
new caledonia blue shrimp
perfectly cooked and still snappy
sushi bae
hokkaido bafun uni, truffle salt
braised hotate, minced shishito
soy sauce cheesecake, bonus kaneyoshi tamago
fin
a bang bang at needle would have been perfect if they were open.
double double animal style whole grilled onions extra toast well done fries
Looks fantastic and love the concept - going to have to start training for the Tock quick click once they open up reservations.
