Shown at the Berlin and Tribeca film festivals, the beautiful Jiro Dreams of Sushi has generated buzz for several months.
Released in theaters March 9, the film chronicles the life of 85-year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world's greatest sushi chef, whose ten-seat restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, has earned three Michelin stars.
Reservations are required months ahead and prices are astronomical because of sourcing, reputation, and skill, reports Jeff Gordinier in this week's New York Times.
Meals start at $400.
"Mr. Ono's standards are so obsessively high that he wanted to shoot each handmade masterwork at 'the supreme moment of deliciousness,' Mr. Gelb said, which happened to be the precise instant of its creation. 'It was important to Jiro that the sushi looked the way it was supposed to,' Mr. Gelb said."
Gordiner sat down with director David Gelb to discuss the film in a loud sushi restaurant in Times Square, "the other side of the spectrum," from Jiro's sushi bar, he said.
As a result of his research, the L.A.-based Gelb is more discriminating when it comes to sushi, is willing to pay more for sushi, and eats it less often.
Does sushi remain a requisite stop in your dining repertoire? After the jump, here are five sushi restaurants cited as readers' favorites.
5) Sushi Yama - For late night
Whether
it's the manga theme that intrigues you or an off-menu order of tuna
collar, this sushi spot in Pompano has culled a band of loyalists.
3) Marumi - For authenticity
The
location of this faded Plantation strip mall is less-than-picturesque.
Whether it's crispy bok choy, beef tongue, pork belly, chrysanthemum
tempura, or grilled sardines for starters, each dish is as compelling as
the next. Segue from the hot dishes to the sashimi and sushi
specials, and Marumi delivers a culinary journey worthy of revisits.
2) Gaysha - For omakase
Sure,
there's a menu at Gaysha, but regulars opt for
omakase. Chef's choice might consist of a fish meatball, fresh tomato and
basil topped with wahoo, followed by a bite of toro
served with fresh wasabi. Whatever dish Takeshi Kamioka is inspired to
create, it rarely disappoints.
1) Sushi Bon - For the freshest sushi
Sushi Bon is one
of the few restaurants that can legally purchase seafood straight
from the fishermen instead of a vendor. Hog snapper or black snapper
are among the offerings, and wahoo is a mainstay. Conch makes an
occasional appearance, as does soft-shell crab, served in soup, shell-on,
in season.
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