5 Days of Feasting, Day 1 - Izakaya Sakura

The Missus recently celebrated Her Birthday. And in keeping with tradition, we did our "5 days of feasting". Where we go and have 5 meals at 5 of the Missus's favorite restaurants. Now since I've posted on most of the restaurants before, and really wouldn't want to bore you. I'll do our "5 days" posts intermittently over the next week or so.

One the first day of feasting, we decided to work up an appetite, and visit the Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

If you've never visited, please do, I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. Along with the popular shark reef, tidal pool, and kelp forest exhibits....

Our favorite part are the various "habitat" displays, which feature sea life from sixty different habitats, from the Pacific Northwest down to the waters of Mexico, and thru the Pacific.

We had a nice relaxing time, and built up an appetite.

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92037

For our first "feast" we headed over to Izakaya Sakura on Convoy Street, an honest to goodness Izakaya. As I noted on my previous Sakura post. Izakaya Sakura may be a bit hard to find, with no signage.

Sakura also has the distinction of being Ed from Yuma's favorite restaurant in San Diego. The food at Sakura includes everything from Sashimi and sushi to various Agemono(fried items). On this evening we started with one of my favorites, Maguro Yamakake:

Usually simply cubes of raw maguro(tuna), with grated yamaimo(mountain yam), topped with strips of toasted nori(seaweed). Kazu (the Itamae) also adds a touch of Shoyu(soy sauce) to the maguro, which adds a nice sweet-salty touch, and takes it to the next level.  The Wasabi also gives the dish a little zip. I'm sure the glooey-gloppy texture of the yamaimo may be off-putting to some, but we enjoy it.

Albacore Tataki:

Slices of seared albacore, topped with onions and green onions, and topped with ponzu sauce. Think of it as a refreshing seared albacore salad. I enjoy the ponzu sauce that Kazu serves, it is neither too sweet, nor too sour, and complements the albacore and sweet onions. So refreshing, it also helps to stimulate your appetite.

Fried Oyster:

If there was anything we ordered on this evening that was even close to being a "clunker", it was the Kaki-Furai. Though the oysters were fried perfectly with an excellent crunch and no trace of oiliness, the oysters were on the dry side. Again, the little touches shine, the oysters are served with tartar sauce, mayo, and a cocktail sauce.

And the "star" of the evening Karei Karaage (Deep Fried Flounder):

The spine of the flounder is removed and fried separately creating a "sail" for the fish. The bones are also one of the favorite parts, when fried with expertise like this, the bones have achieved a cracker like texture, this is why we call it "senbei"(cracker in Japanese). The meat is mildly flavored, as most flounder is, and not overly seasoned so you can taste the fish. The meat is moist, and the fish is fried to perfection. In the end, there was not much left of the fish, just some head parts, and part of the spinal column. Everything else, fins, skin, ribs, have been happily devoured.

Izakaya Sakura, is not cheap. Our bill came out to $45(the karei karaage is not a menu item, and runs about $18) without alcohol, but the food is well worth it. So if you visit Sakura, bring your wallet, I'm sure you'll leave satisfied.

Izakaya Sakura
3904 Convoy St #121
San Diego, CA 92111

More Sakura Posts can be found here, here, and here.

Comments

[Ed]

Ah, yes - karei karaage. How big was the flounder? I can do the slow deep-frying method needed to to karei no senbei, but it seems that rather small flounder works best. That flounder bone cracker (that sounds so wrong, don't it?) looks like it's to die for ;)

[Ted]

Kirk,

When I think izakaya, I think terriyaki beef, croquettes, pork cutlet, etc. The types of food that you expect from a Japanese "tavern." Yet, all of the things you got are seafood. I know seafood is an important part of the standard Izakaya menu, but what can you say about the terriyaki beef or other foods at Sakura that are not from the ocean? Are they any good? How about price?

Thanks,
Ted

[Passionate Eater]

And the Missus is worth every penny! I hope to see a beautiful gift for her (like that big screen she got you)! (I always try to make sure that the man dotes on and is extravagant on his lady!)

Beautiful fish--both at the aquarium and on the plate!

[Kathy]

"5 days of feasting" - you sure go all out! :)

[elmomonster]

That all looks amazing. Concur with PE...beautiful fish: live and dead!

[Kristy]

Yeah, I'll have to take MS here!!! When I went a couple months back, I loved the Chicken Kara'age. I don't remember all the items we ordered, but it was absolutely yummy! Definitely worth a second (and third...and fourth...) visit! ;)

[Kirk]

Hi Ed - The flounder was about 9" long, not too thick, but good sized.

Hi Ted - The reason I didn't go into too much detail, is that you can link back to my original post on Sakura:

http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2005/07/izakaya_sakura_.html

It's good to know what you consider standard Izakaya fare to be, but the Missus and I felt like seafood, though they were out of the shishito tempura that I enjoy. The total bill came out to $45. There dishes such as buta kakuni, croquettes, chicken karaage, and the like. If you read the earlier post, you'll find that we enjoyed the buta kakuni. I thought the chicken karaage was good. There is a very extensive selection of grilled, fried, and other items on the menu, so maybe you should try it out. Somehow I just don't think of Teriyaki Beef when I think of Izakaya grub.

Hi PE - comments like your get me in trouble....:o)

Hi Kathy - Anything to justfy good eats.

Hi Elmo - Thanks man, always nice to hear from you.

Hi Kristy - Yes, we're quite glad that there is a restaruant like Sakura in San Diego.

[ed]

You're making me hungry. The albacore tataki reminds me that Kazu does a tasty mixed fish salad with that ponzu.

Was this the Missus first visit to Sakura?

[nhbill]

great post very amusing.
if you're ever around Costa Mesa area you give this place a shot.

try there shrimp and tuna boat! yoso!

Ango TEI
675 Paularino Ave Ste 5
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-3039
(714) 557-2696

[Kirk]

Hi Ed - Yes, first time for Her, don't think it'll be Her last. She's been wondering why I've been trying to get Her there for the last 3 years........

Hi Nhbill - Thanks for commenting and the recommendation. I'll keep that place in mind.

[dietchilicheesefries]

kirk,

it looks great.. like "real" japanese food, not the typical fake teriyaki menu fare...

that aquarium is pretty cool looking too, never heard of it.. have to go check it out sometime when i'm down south..

the Missus bday, kinda like Hannukah but only 5 days.. nice!

Happy Bday Fendi Girl!!!!!!!!!!

[Kirk]

Hi DCCF - The aquarium is right off the I-5, not crazy big, but pretty nice. Sakura is one of the very few of these types of restaurants in San Diego.

[Andy 食神]

hey, I went to the aquarium last week... we always seem to end up at the same places... what really struck me is that I too took a picture of the same kelp bed exhibit! I haven't had time to post it onto my blog yet.

Did you see the lobster tank? It practically makes you drool with all those california spiny lobsters in them!

We both must have great style and great taste. we always end up the at the same places, down in SD and up in LA. It's one thing when I read your blog and I go there, but many of them, we just end up going to the same places by pure coincidence.

[Kirk]

Hi Andy - Well, I know you have great taste....so what can I say??? How can you not take a photo of that lovely kelp bed...and dream about fresh live uni!!! I look forward to your post. You sure do get around. BTW, I've been accused of "food stalking", that is doing a post on a restaurant the same day a person has been there......