I love Morimoto. Because he makes beautiful sushi and he’s sort of personable in an Iron Chef, I’m-too-cool sort of way. And that is why my wonderful cousin, a little dorky but amazing, took my aunt and myself to Morimoto’s restaurant in NYC for a good birthday/graduation/mother’s day treat. Yes, the experience was a month ago. But its Morimoto, I’m sure the memories last a life time.
My obsession with Japanese food stems from desiring the sort of rigid, collected, almost delicate (in taste and artistry) necessity in the lifestyle of a sushi chef. I asked a friend why there aren’t many female sushi chefs, after all the attention to detail is perhaps a trait usually “designated” to women. Someone said it was because women had higher body temperatures and thus do not work well with the raw fish. I don’t think I would make a good sushi chef despite my secret desire to be one (though I have many secret desires so don’t think this one more serious than the next). The sort of sensitivity that goes through the entire process of making, plating and presenting the sushi is the art of life itself.
The art of life. That was what I saw in Morimoto’s food. Sure it is amazing in its own right. But I see a man who believes in the food he makes and more importantly the joy it bring to those who taste it. We ordered the Omakase which is the famous tasting menu at Morimoto’s. Its a set of 7-9 dishes depending on the catch of the day and what was available, the dishes are presented to give you a glimpse of the food at the restaurant. We were lucky that night, most of our dishes were raw fish/sushi/sashimi type dishes which were light, delicate and sweet on the palate. The heaviest course was a combination of beef and lobster Marsala. We ended the night with a sweet potato pudding, too heavy for our liking but delicious nonetheless, with a brown sugar ice cream. I was a happy camper at the end of the day.
I wish I would be embarking on a journey to make someone happy too. I wish my career choice would make both myself and others happy. I’m not sure what it will be but life is unpredictable in an exciting manner. Its almost like Morimoto’s Omakase. I’m making an analogy in an effort to be philosophical because it seems almost necessary in a post like that. You never quite know what the next course is, but it’s alright because one takes the sweet and salty as if it were natural, right and justified. Yes, and that’s why as I carry on this job hunting stint, I will continue to believe that something “right” will turn up and everything will into place just because…
