A Kiss Goodbye: chez pim

Saturday, April 16, 2005

A Kiss Goodbye

What a lovely kiss from my good friends last night to send me off on my journey. Six of us were at Kiss Sushi, my ultimate comfort food place, to have Naka-san cooked a wonderfully grounded meal for me before I am off on a crazy If It's Saturday It Must Be El Bulli tour.

If you've never been to Kiss yet, and you live within a reasonable distance -what means reasonable I shall let you figure out- you should definitely try. I simply adore the place. The ingredients are always pristine, and the cooking skillful. It's always mesmerizing to see Naka-san quietly goes about his business behind that impeccable counter, sending piece after piece, and plate after plate, of deceptively simple deliciousness.

What a way to send me off. The highlight last night were two things, Kohada sushi and Sakura soup. Kohada, in the picture above, is Shad, actually. Yes, the same type of Shad whose roes are so sought after, and currently in season on the East Coast. This was a tiny specimen of the specie, and came from Japan not the East Coast. It was ever-so-slightly marinaded in rice vinegar before serving atop a perfectly made morsel of sushi rice. Simply amazing.

The other favorite of the night was the soup made of Sakura, or cherry blossoms. What a marvelous expression of Spring, gorgeous blossoms swaying as if blown gently by the Spring breeze in a bowl of clear dashi. Just perfect.

I'm off now, my flight is boarding, time for the journey to begin. See you on the road, soon.

(Kiss Sushi is at the corner of Laguna and Sutter. The place is tiny, 5 seats around the bar and three small tables, call first: (415) 474-2866)

Posted at 12:09 PM in Eat_San_Francisco | Permalink

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Comments

Posted by: goldie | Mar 9, 2006 10:45:05 PM

I love Kiss, having been a customer for the last two years. The restaurant is both comfortable and immaculate. The fish is kept very well and the rice is never soft, overly sweet or pasty. I ate there twice last week. Naka-san cooks with a delicate and knowledgable touch.

While I want him to do well, I always want him to have room for me. (he ususally does.) Do you think that reviewing a 15 seat restaurant is the right thing to do?

If so, have you been to Kappa (Kyota-style Kaiseki)? It's just two blocks away. I can rack up a significant bill in either place.

Posted by: ASKY | Apr 25, 2005 9:56:46 PM

Hi, pim, long time no see
I'm also an avid fan for su-shi. Especially, I like mackerel and shad su-shi. How about rice mixed with roes. Unfortunately, I have not yet tasted sakura soup. I can't imagine that taste. How was that ?

Posted by: olipo | Apr 25, 2005 9:03:09 PM

Bon voyage and have a great time, Pim!
Ptipois (leaving for Tokyo this morning).

Posted by: Ptipois | Apr 18, 2005 11:19:57 PM

what's a cherry blossom taste like?

Posted by: mike | Apr 18, 2005 6:34:12 PM

pim.

i wish someone would "kiss" me like that! the food looks wonderful. can't wait to hear about your travels!

u.e.

Posted by: ulteriorepicure | Apr 18, 2005 4:53:46 AM

Sounds like it you are living it up...Bon voyage et a la
prochaine.

Fritz
http://www.iwork4self.com/summerrecipes/summerrecipes/

Posted by: Fritz | Apr 17, 2005 11:27:36 PM