My first special post

Oh Yeah!!! for O Ya!

Here's the deal...consider this a very special post. I don't do restaurant reviews or write a foodie-blog, but this one meal from O Ya is worthy of it's own post...

The photos will speak for themselves...this meal occurred on May 24, 2012, as evidenced by the date on the menu. The numbers on the menu indicate the order in which most items were brought out. I ordered a 'tasting menu', my only request was that I not be brought any eel. My friend ordered a la carte...photos of both meals are included here.

 #1--For starters....Kumamoto Oyster with watermelon pearls and cucumber mignonette

 #2--Hamachi with spicy banana pepper mousse

 the clam chowder...with tempura bits, potato, pork fat drizzle and cracklin's
(my friend's chowder)

 #3--Salmon Tataki with torched tomato, smoked smelt and onion aioli

The torched tomato really made this one!! It was so unexpected with the right firmness to complement the texture of the salmon.

 #4--Bluefin Toro with republic of Georgia herb sauce

One of my favorites!! The herbs on top were fresh with a hint of nuttiness...the reviews I read indicated that walnuts were mixed into this pesto.

 #5--Homemade la Ratte Fingerling Potato Chip with summer truffle

Whimsical!

 My friend's dumplings

Chilled Daikon 'Dumplings' with miso nut "cheese", homemade kimchi, wakame, spicy pine nut mayo

 #6--Wild Santa Barbara Spot Prawn with garlic butter, white soy, and preserved yuzu

 #7--Fried Kumamuto Oyster with yuzu kosho aioli, and squid ink bubbles

My friend had the Tea Brined Fried Pork Rib

#8--Bluefin Maguro with soy braised garlic and micro greens

#9--A morsel to share...Fried Soft Shell Crab with soy sesame mousse, tamari yuzu beurre blanc and mayer lemon zest

$190 Steak....You read that right!

Aragawa Style 8oz striploin with frites...and truffle oil on the frites!

(this one was also my friend's...but it tasted like meat flavored butter, a dish to die for!)

#10--Shima Aji & Santa Barbara Sea Urchin with ceviche vinaigrette and cilantro

While everything was delicious, I don't like sea urchin. Maybe it's because I used to have one as a pet? I don't even know how to describe it...I just don't like it.

#11--Kyoto Style Morel Mushroom with garlic and soy

#12--Scottish Salmon with spicy sesame ponzu, yuzu kosho and scallion oil

This one was sooooo good that it curled my toes! Ladies, you know what I'm talking about!! Definitely my favorite piece of the night!

#13--Hamachi with viet mignonette, thai basil and shallot

Another amazing morsel!!! This is one to order on it's own! The coolness of the fish combined with a little spice and the sweet basil created such a sensation so as to delight the taste buds!

#14--Arctic Char yuzu cured, smoked sesame brittle, cumin aioli and cilantro

'Wait for it, I'll tell you when to snap the picture...,' our waiter said when bringing this one. He removed the cover and this delectable scent of a campfire permeated the air as the delicate smoke wafted up from the dish...

#14, the reveal...Arctic Char

Normally, I do not like Arctic Char, but this I would go back for time and time again!

#15--Bluefin Tuna Tataki with smoky pickled onion and truffle oil


Gotta say, there was something about this one that didn't live up to the rest. Oh, it was good, maybe because it followed the Arctic Char? I'm not sure, but the smoky pickled onion was such a surprisingly wonderful flavor that more places should use it!

# 16--Kanpachi with jalapeno sauce, sesame and apple myoga

I was skeptical of the jalapeno. I'm just not a fan, but here, it was such a delicate and almost refreshing flavor combined with the crispness of the apple...a texture and flavor sensation!

And the fried oysters make one more appearance. This time, it's for two!

#17--Shiso Tempura with Grilled Lobster, charred tomato and ponzu aioli

#18--Grilled Chanterelle & Shitake Mushroom Sashimi with rosemary garlic oil, sesame froth and soy

I was burping mushroom for the rest of the night. If you don't mind the belching, go for this one!! It was a mix of wondrous earthy flavors with the creamy richness of butter.

#19--Onsen Egg with dashi sauce, truffle salt and homemade pickle garlic

OK, it was a giant soft boiled egg. I didn't get it. And I don't like runny eggs. Of everything we enjoyed this evening, this was the only one I had trouble swallowing...

And last but not least...chocolate ginger tart