I think my expectations were too high given the much touted former association with Saito, the recent star and $250 (pre tax and tip) entry price.
First off, the space is very tight and uncomfortable, it’s a very large restaurant but somehow they decided to allocate a small tight space for the sushi bar in the basement. The back of the seats were only about a foot away from the wall, you’re always conscious of the waiter moving around behind you. Bumped elbows with the diner next to me throughout the night.
The meal generally progressed in a similar fashion as what I’ve seen in pics from Saito. Starts off with a handfull of otsumamis and transitions to nigiri. Whereas my meals earlier in the year at Taka had some real highlights, fish sourcing and execution at Amane was not comparable. @bradford if you go, just temper your expectations and perhaps you’ll have a more favorable experience. Or give them more time to settle down and work out the kinks.
Btw, looks like chef Shion was a full fledged apprentice at Saito vs. their initial press release “he was placed in charge of preparing and handling hand-rolled sushi”
Just got a callback from Okuda for dinner tomorrow, hopefully this new export fares better, We shall see…