Seriously. I’m not kidding.
The first time I saw them on the menu, I thought, ewww, no. I thought, I can’t do that, there’s something wrong there.
But the second time? Oh, the second time. That’s the time I just let myself live.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I could live on sushi. The only problem with Japanese food, as far as I can tell, is that they don’t use butter. But to be honest, I’m not really above shmearing some on my next salmon avocado roll.
This past weekend, when I was in New York City, I ate sushi (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 – give me a sec, counting on my fingers) six, yes, six times. And, one of those times, I fell in love with a little something called a Sushi Taco at Nobu.
How ‘bout I break it down for you:
- Homemade taco shell, thick (like 5 or 6 wimpy Tostito’s thick), just enough oil to leave a fine sheen on your finger tips, perfect crunch, divine salt crystals scattered about, about 4 inches in diameter (if flattened)
- Filled with little pieces of either salmon (raw), tuna (raw), lobster, crab or seviche…tossed in some kind of asiany-cilantroy-stunning marinade that made you want to sing
- Covered in salsa verde that was purely savory, not tongue burning whatsoever
There was not one thing about this sushi taco that was wrong. I didn’t even miss the guacamole, and that’s saying a lot because I have a pretty intense relationship with the avocado. The melding of the flavors, the textures, the size, the beauty – all right, right, right.
But it should’ve been all wrong. When you think sushi, you think rice, not corn, and certainly not tortilla. When you think taco, you think melted cheese and chili powder saturated beef, not raw fish. (Yes, I know there are fish tacos wondering around in this world, but those are just tacos in fish’s clothing, tacos with fish cooked with mexican spices – like a beef substitute).
But this, this…this masterpiece was still inherently Japanese. It still tasted, looked and felt like Nobu.
They took their basic signature product (sushi) and added a spin (taco/mexican) that pushed the envelope, the reputation, the flavor, the brand to a new place.
That’s what you want your copywriter, marketer, blogger to do for you. Use the tools, use your stuff, but add that something that will take it to a whole new dimension. In a way that only you can do it.
I ate 4 of those dimensions…and I want many, many more.
Yes, I know, I know – I should have taken a picture of the tacos, but A) I’m a horrible photographer and the camera on my new Blackberry curve SUCKS, and B) those tacos were made for eating and eating alone – I was consumed by the edible experience and could not pause to document it. So…Image credit: NicoleLee
Beautiful blog entry. This Mexican Japanophile might have to go on a pilgrimage to a Nobu for same experience, now…
.-= Van´s last blog ..Pop Rocks and Pop Art Rock, Retro Art in Riverside & Downtown Jax =-.
You went back to Nobu and ate sushi tacos without us? Jealous!
Nice analogy, though.
.-= Edgy Mama´s last blog ..Weekly parent: Where were postpartum doulas when I was popping offspring? =-.
I did. But the whole time I was eating, I was crying tears of missing you into my sushi taco….
Stop! Stop! I’m drooling all over my keyboard! I want to meet you in NYC the next time you go. After all…….who introduced you to sushi anyway…..
me!
You don’t even like the City! But, yes, you did introduce me to Sushi…and, coincidentally, at a much more modest joint called ‘Nobu’s’…and I was 15 and only ate teriyaki chicken, maybe an asparagus roll. Thank god I’ve wisened up!
I can see that you and I have similar epicurean curiosities. I can so imagine that, the contrasting textures and flavors. Great ideas often come the fusion of disparate elements, just like great writing – or web consulting ;-)
As always, thanks for sharing. Though next time I expect a sample.
.-= Bert Jackson´s last blog ..A Day of Customer Service Lessons =-.
Perhaps the extra salt from your tears made the sushi tacos even more delicious.
I have a photo of your architectural marvel of a dessert from your first night at Nobu on my small camera. I’ll send it to you.
.-= Edgy Mama´s last blog ..Weekly parent: Where were postpartum doulas when I was popping offspring? =-.
You made that sushi taco sound amazing. I don’t live near any place that makes something like that. I might have to figure out how to make it myself.
.-= Lovelyn´s last blog ..The Brick Wall =-.
There are no words to describe my profound jealousy!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..(Not quite) Wordless Wednesday #55 =-.
With all due respect, you haven’t had a proper fish taco.
Might have to check around San Fran to see about this sushi taco business. I wants me one.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Persistence – the critical trait for success, in any endeavor =-.
Dave – you’re totally right. I have not! L.A. has Nobu…but not San Fran.