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| bento |
The bento featured hog snapper sashimi with shiso and seaweed (the snapper freshly caught by a spearfishing friend that morning); scorpionfish (also locally caught) two ways, fried, and braised with apricot and sprinkled with white poppy seed; a silky custard with aji and shiitake mushrooms; baby carrots, gingko nuts; slow-braised, falling-apart tender pork jowl with parsnip purée and mustard sauce; bamboo rice, daikon pickles; butternut squash and miso soup.
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| snapper sashimi |
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| scorpionfish, aji, shiitake custard |
As always, after the bento, a procession of nigiri.
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| scottish salmon nigiri |
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| shira ebi nigiri |
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| scallop nigiri |
Chef Cory brings in live scallops and prepares them to order. You could see the scallop muscle still quivering after he sliced it.
(continued ...)
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| scorpionfish nigiri |
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| fresh unagi shoyu |
This was a special little treat. One of the "signature" items at NAOE is Chef Cory's freshly broiled and steamed unagi (eel), all done in-house. Here, he took the meat from the tail end, and instead of basting with the typical "barbecue" sauce, he served them simply with a sprinkle of sea salt and a light brushing of shoyu. Tender and delicious.
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| unagiyaki |
Afterwards, some fresh fruit - watermelon, mango, blueberry, blackberry, kiwi - dashed with some rice wine vinegar for a bit of sweet-sour contrast. And then to close, kasutera (Japanese honey cake) along with "mystery flavor" ice cream. I won't spoil it.
Happy anniversary.
NAOE
175 Sunny Isles Boulevard
Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160
305.947.6263
I think that tweets and posts about NAOE result in the most mouthwatering moments for me. Just reading your tweet that you were there and thoughts of the bento box made my mouth water last night.
ReplyDeleteI think it's funny that I really don't like salmon sushi/sashimi but I LOVE that salmon belly nigiri. How was the scorpionfish? Can't say I've ever seen that on a menu.
The fruit dessert also has a little bit of fish sauce in with the vinegar. Odd combo but it more than works.
Scorpionfish has an interesting, firm texture and very clean flavor. They were some menacing looking buggers before Chef Cory took the knife to them, I wish I had gotten a picture.
ReplyDeleteDid Chef Cory make you eat its still beating heart?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqaXEcgIC-8
I love NAOE!! I think I'm a NAOE freak. lol
ReplyDeleteSince Kev's scorpionfish was just killed in the ocean by spearfishing, its way better than that twitching gimmicky video posted by Petronius Arbiter. Thanks for sharing though.
I've been to NAOE several times and your bento is all different from what I've had. I'm jealous!
Well, its time now to set sail for my own live sashimi :)
Completely agree with SteveBM....salmon is probably my least favorite fish, yet the salmon belly nigiri at NAOE was outstanding.
ReplyDeleteReally one of my favorite meals I've had in at least the past year, possibly ever was at NAOE
hi - can anyone tell me what an average dinner for two people costs?
ReplyDelete