*** More updates can be found here and here.
So we get back from Japan and what's the first thing the Missus wants to eat? Japanese of course! With the Missus eating low wheat products, it can be a challenge....but Yakitori places surely fit the bill if you want to do some lower-carb eating. Plus, Yakitori Taisho had just opened a few days earlier. I'd been keeping an eye on the place since it was Curry Rice Hinotez.
Though we'd had yakitori twice in Osaka, none of the meals really wow'd us. One of the places was really inexpensive and made some great quail eggs, but fell short, the other made a wonderful version of torisashi (chicken sashimi) and a tasty yaki-onigiri, but the actual stuff on a stick? Well, maybe not. So the Missus was kind of interested to see how this place would be. I wanted to see if there were any differences from it's brother restaurant Yakyudori.
First off, the restaurant is, as expected, tiny, eight bar seats and maybe.....and this might be stretching it, another 7 seats at two small tables. I'd say that this would be much like Japan, except the counters are quite large.
There's a single person working the brazier and the smell of bincho seems a bit milder.
As things went, there were some distinct differences between Yakyudori and Taisho. First off, Taisho seemed a bit more stylish.....plus no cabbage to help refresh you between items. The one server was omni-present, but very nice.
So, on to the food. We started with tororo (grated mountain yam) and quail egg.
With a little shoyu, a nice start....it could also be a nice palate cleanser between dishes. Loved that you could make out the yolk flavor in this. Yes, I know, a lot of folks have a problem with that mucousy slimy texture....but man, don't you think it's time you got over that? And heck, if you're one of those health crazy folks....think about all that soluble fiber, right?
The tsukune, chicken meatball, looked different than the tubular version at Yakyudori.
But it was as moist and melt in your mouth tender. The tare was also milder. I'm not sure if it was because it's a new batch that hasn't "aged" yet, or if by purpose, but this was very nice as you could really make out the chicken and scallion flavor.
So then, there's the teba, the chicken wings, for us, one of the best items Yakyudori makes. The version here is also splayed out perfectly, it is also grilled to crisp perfection. The one thing we quickly noticed was....this wasn't as salty. We kind of enjoyed this more....
The first very distinctive difference between Taisho and Yakyudori was in the negima.
This version used regular onions and breast. Nevertheless, it was very moist.
The kawa (chicken skin) was interesting.
Chicken skin is one of our favorites. This version was dipped into the tare several times. While I appreciated the sweet and salty flavors; the texture was kind of gummy, and the fact you were eating crisp, salty, chicken skin was lost.
The ginnan....well, tasted like ginko.
The last item was perhaps one of the best - the buta-shiso.
While I really like the version at Yakyudori, I thought this was perhaps, better. The pork, belly in this case I believe, was exceedingly moist. It was not as aggressively salted, meaning that the flavor of the pork came through. I also noticed that the grill had been set-up with different temperature sections. Also, it seemed items weren't cooked at as high a heat as Yakyudori....items were started lower, but finished high. The sodium content also seemed a bit lower. In other words, there was a lot to like here. I have a feeling this place is going to blow up like crazy, so I'm glad we got a chance to try it out. I overheard the chef talking to so some friends telling them gyutan is coming soon.....I'd also really like to see horumon (intestine) and nankotsu (chicken cartlidge) on the menu....
We enjoyed ourselves. We'll be back.....if we can get a seat.
Yakitori Taisho
5185 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92117
Hours:
Tues - Sunday 5pm - 11pm
Wow, that was quick. Didn't the place just open last week?
Posted by: SomTommy | Monday, 27 October 2014 at 11:09 AM
Hi ST - Long time no hear. Yeah, I think they just opened on Wednesday, but the Missus was craving yakitori so I thought, why not?
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 27 October 2014 at 12:16 PM
buta shiso looks good!
Posted by: kat | Monday, 27 October 2014 at 04:08 PM
Oh we will be there very soon.
Posted by: yummyyummie | Monday, 27 October 2014 at 08:13 PM
It was Kat!
Hi YY - Yes, by all means, check them out!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 27 October 2014 at 08:38 PM
Hey Bro!
Appreciate you trolling for grub.
This is place is so small, I hope it does not become another asian hipster joint with long waits
and curt staff.
La Playita ruled...
Posted by: Fat Killer | Tuesday, 28 October 2014 at 06:18 PM
I appreciate your pioneering spirit brohan!
I was told my a friend of mine who was a very successful proprietor that you wait a minimum of 6 weeks, and longer if you can, before trying a new place. They never ever have the kinks worked out.
He was spot on.
One real stinker when it opened and even now is Hinotez. What a POS.
Posted by: Fat Killer | Tuesday, 28 October 2014 at 06:39 PM
Yes and no FK. Yakyudori was good from day one, plus they had this property and were planning their strategy when it was Curry Rice as was Tadokoro and Kokoro. Santouka needed some time, however, they showed promise, that's the main thing. The food is usually not the problem, it's the service and systems that are shakey. I will usually make multiple visits or do a follow-up a couple of weeks/months later. I like Hinotez's breakfast, reminds me of when I was a kid.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 28 October 2014 at 07:48 PM
Yeh, Curry Rice was a head scratcher...
Not only is the food at Hinotez utterly mediocre, after all this time the service is garbage.
Keep up the good work!
Check out Comun Kitchen downtown..will float your boat.
Posted by: Fat Killer | Wednesday, 29 October 2014 at 09:32 AM
Things are heating up in the Clairemont/kearny Mesa area bro...
Any weekend plans for a bit of grub trolling?
Posted by: Fat Killer | Wednesday, 29 October 2014 at 04:16 PM
Nice "grub" (wut!)...everything you had looked good, even the gummy chicken skin skewer.
Posted by: caninecologne | Thursday, 30 October 2014 at 10:21 PM
This place is going to be really busy CC.... they are that good.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 31 October 2014 at 03:31 PM