Monday, June 13, 2011

Sushi Nishi-ya

Sushi Nishi-ya
1712 Victory Blvd. 
GlendaleCA 90201
(818) 244-2933


I know it's been a while since my last post, so I figure I should WOW you in some way. If you love sushi, I guarantee Sushi Nishi-ya will blow your freaking mind. This place has some of the freshest sushi I have ever eaten in my life.


After walking away feeling excited about what I had eaten for lunch @ Sushi Nishi-ya,  I vowed to come back to try their Omakase (chef''s choice) meal. I raved about it for weeks to my husband and tonight we finally got the opportunity to eat dinner there. I can't tell you how happy I was when I called and the found out that they had two seats available at the sushi bar.


Sushi Nishi-ya is located in a little strip mall. It's literally a hole in the wall with about five or six tables and a small sushi bar that seats 10 people. It's tiny, so it easily gets full through out the night. When you walk in you are greeted by Kenji-san behind the sushi bar and his wife (I didn't catch her name). They are a two man team and they do a pretty good job keeping everyone happy during their dining experience. Kenji-san's wife always greets you with a smile followed by, "Hello...we don't serve California rolls or teriyaki". I think it's hilarious considering I have been here a few times for lunch and she has never failed to greet me the same way. ha ha. I don't take any offense to this. I think it's kind of cute. I usually sit at one of the tables during lunch because it's the only place you can order a la carte, but tonight I got to sit at the sushi bar. It is definitely the best seat in the house because you get to watch Kenji-san skillfully craft these amazing dishes. All he asks in the beginning is if there is anything you are allergic to or don't like, and he pretty much takes it from there. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. It's going to be an unforgettable one. 


Here we go:


I absolutely love fresh wasabi. There is no substitution for it. 
1st course: Blue Fin Tuna- Boston (served with daikon sprouts and kelp drizzled with peanut sauce)
2nd course: Yellowtail Belly & Back- Osaka, Japan
3rd course: Red Snapper - Kyushu, Japan
4th course: Smoked Salmon with kelp - Scottland & Fresh Salmon with kelp- Norway
5th course: Salmon Roe- Canada

This is hands down the best ikura I've ever had in my life. 
6th course: Scallop - Hokkaido, Japan
7th course: Spanish Mackerel - Kyushu, Japan

Is this really mackerel? It seriously didn't taste fishy at all. Absolutely delicious.
 
8th course: Blue crab hand roll- Maryland
9th course: Sweet Shrimp- Canada
Amaebi is one of my all time favorites and this one did not disappoint.
10th course: Sea Urchin- Santa Barbara

I've never seen my husband smile so much. Kenji-san just kept piling on the uni.  It was  very exciting.
 
11th course: Albacore - Cabo San Lucas
12th course: White Sea Bass
13th course: Halibut
14th course: Eel- Korea
15th course: Hama Hama Oyster - Seattle
I seriously wanted to continue eating, but I knew that it was not humanly possible for me to do so. After the oyster, I threw in the towel and told Kenji-san that we were done. We left there completely satisfied. If it wasn't for the price tag, I would eat  dinner  here at least once a week. One things for sure, I'll definitely be saving this place for a special occasion because I know that I will never be disappointed. If you have some money to burn, and you love sushi, this place is a must try. 

This is the sign posted outside. ha ha.