Since Sushi Yaro officially opened on July 1st, I've been visiting at least once a week. I kinda hesitated in doing a post, since I've now known Sam for almost ten years. I really didn't want to seem to be "shill".... but Sam has served up some great meals over the years, not only to me, but to other FOYs as well. But much like your favorite watering hole, the relationship between a regular customer, and his Itamae is a very close one. Sam seems to have settled into Sushi Yaro, and the place is starting to have that neighborhood feel Sammy Sushi had. It does seem like the customers are focused on the "world of rolls", but Sam always seems to have something for me......
And once he got his kitchen guy back from a stint at Sakura, the kitchen food started getting better as well.
No, it isn't Ota or Kaito..... but I can't really afford to eat there three times a week. At Yaro, on a weeknight I can relax, have some sushi or sashimi, and maybe some Kubota Manju or Otokoyama, and the world becomes a better place.
This is one of my favorite cooked dishes at Sushi Yaro:
Shishamo is really great stuff grilled.... but it is the female smelt, especially those laden with eggs that we're after. So what to do with the guys??? I guess Sam decided to batter them, and serve them tempura style. I was a bit surprised at the flavor, there's almost a savory sweetness to this. I had thought that Shishamo was a bit too high in oil to be used for tempura.
And sometimes Sam will have something that surprise me, like the night he broke out some Razor Clams. The kitchen hadn't done a particularly great job with these.... but it was very thoughtful.
So obviously, it was just a matter of time before our "eating club" descended upon Sushi Yaro for dinner. What follows is mostly photos... many of which "my favorite Librarian", Jenne took.
I can't remember the last time I had oyster jun.....
As always, I had a wonderful time with Candice, Howie, and Jenne.... I can't wait until next month!
Sushi Yaro
7905 Engineer Road
San Diego, CA 92111
Geez you can even find them on Twitter.
I hope everyone is having a great week!
Dang been so busy but I really need to visit Sam soon.. Everything looks great!
Posted by: Dennis | Wednesday, 11 August 2010 at 08:53 PM
hi kirk!
Wow! That is A LOT of food there! Must try that place one day!
Posted by: caninecologne | Wednesday, 11 August 2010 at 10:20 PM
"three times a week"
Yikes! Watch out for Minamata.
Posted by: Hao | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 12:14 AM
www.sushiyaro.com
Posted by: Aubree Miller | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 12:50 AM
Hi Dennis - Sam was asking about you!
Hi CC - We did eat a pretty good amount of food.
Not to worry Hao...... I was basically saying I could eat there that often if I wanted too.
Thanks for the link Aubrey!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 08:21 AM
Omg, I need to go pay Sam a visit. Fried shrimp heads and salmon please!
Posted by: Rosa | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 08:48 AM
looks like a fun and yummy dinner. such pretty arrangements too.
Posted by: Lynnea | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 09:02 AM
Great to see Sammy back on his game. I missed him.
Posted by: ed (from yuma) | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 09:18 AM
sounded like a fun gathering!
Posted by: kat | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 10:03 AM
Wow, the food looks amazing. So glad you finally did a post on Sushi Yaro!I thought you might be hesitating because of your friendship with Sam, but I'm glad you did the post. Or else how will the rest of us know what to order? ;-)
Posted by: Kirbie | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 10:18 AM
Hi Rosa - Yes, you should! Let me know when you go.....
Hi Lynnea - I still rememeber meeting you guys at Sammy's!
Hi Ed - Sam asked me how you were doing!
Hi Kat - I look forward to our monthly meals.
Hi Kirbie - There's a lot to order.... I think the stuff coming out of the kitchen is not bad.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 02:51 PM
I want Razor Clams ;(
Posted by: yummieyummy | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 11:00 PM
Great post. Its been too long since I've had sushi. The food looks great. Gonna have to try it out. Thanks
Posted by: stephen | Thursday, 12 August 2010 at 11:26 PM
Hi YY - Make sure to let Sam know!!!
Hi Stephen - Try it out; even though they don't have a huge variety, what they do have is pretty solid.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 13 August 2010 at 07:55 AM
nice report kirk! another place to add on my evergrowing list of joints to go to next time i'm down in sd....beautiful pics. did you have have any favorite joints when you were livin in the rowland area?
Posted by: sawyer | Friday, 13 August 2010 at 08:45 PM
Thanks for suggesting another great meal! I'm still thinking about those shrimp heads...
Posted by: Jenne | Friday, 13 August 2010 at 10:23 PM
yay, I'm happy to find out Sam is back. thanks, Kirk. I can't wait to go and say hello, and of course, eat. wow, looks great. wish I'd known earlier about the grand opening. :)
Posted by: Didi | Saturday, 14 August 2010 at 10:10 AM
What a feast! They are all my favorites. I would be a happy camper if I were sitting at that table.
Posted by: SushiTail | Saturday, 14 August 2010 at 01:13 PM
Hi Sawyer - We had quite a few favorite places when we lived in Rowland Heights..... however most of them are gone now. You should check out the Chicne Box in La Habra, for some reason we really miss the place.
Hi Jenne - I'm glad you enjoyed the food.... and for letting me be lazy about taking photos!
Hi Didi - You should drop by and say hello to Sam!
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 14 August 2010 at 01:15 PM
Mr. C says he's jealous. Sammy needs to replicate this same order when our food club comes.
Very nice pictures, Kirk. They make me salivate.
Posted by: Tammy | Saturday, 14 August 2010 at 07:48 PM