quite an arms race in l.a these days for omakase prices…
I think this is a big part of the reason…
i’m sure that’s part of it. probably not the only part though.
True. It’s also what the market will bear.
our meal at holbox in december 2021 did not cost significantly more than our meal at holbox in december. the scallop aguachile was $15 in 2018 and $16 in 2021.
have increases at places like providence been roughly comparable to the increases in prices of the high-end omakase counters?
Japan’s fishing and seafood market has been hit hard by COVID, and so prices are up accordingly. I believe it’s the imported seafood (from Asia especially) that’s the costly portion for chefs in L.A. these days. Not sure what the current economic picture of the locally sourced seafood market looks like, though.
I am sure @Eater15 can comment much better than myself on all things seafood.
all in all, it’s looking like on our next trip to l.a (maybe as early as this summer) our splurge meal will likely feature not sushi but american/european high-end. this decision used to be very easy to make in favour of sushi in the past.
will prices come down when prices in japan come down? i suspect not. it hasn’t happened with scotch whisky since the trump tariffs were suspended.
Maru-san at Mori said back in november that it was actually much easier for him to get great/unique product from japan because competition from local japanese buyers was reduced, although easier is not necessarily the same as cheaper
I would say the current staffing issues and inflation are impacting seafood prices far more than supply issues for local product. I haven’t seen much change in commercial, wholesale and dock prices for local fish.
Fish coming from Japan is similarly probably more impacted by the higher shipping rates and other supply chain issues than covid-related market shifts in Japan, but that’s more speculative for me to say. I would actually like to know what you saw that indicated covid affected their fishing practices much. That would surprise me.
Fishing is a rough way to make a living – much as I loved it, it’s not for the timid. Fishermen tend to keep fishing – no matter what. I would be really surprised if Japan’s fleet cut back much besides in the early 2020 timeframe when the market might’ve had more fish than it could use with the lockdowns. Once people were allowed to even leave the house, the docks here resumed buying and the fishermen kept fishing, as they always do. Would be interested to see how Japan’s fleet was actually impacted over the last year or so.
Today, 03/06 is Yasu San’s birthday. Cheers with Sake from Shunji San and the rest of Shunji’s team - I just delivered the sake and ate a little bit…
Small Hotaru Ika alert, in Shiso sauce, with Tairagai (03/04) and without (03/05).
Tairagai on 03/05 has an important business to attend:
Also, this is the current “pregnancy special”
Along with Noresore, Engawa, Sayori, Male vs Female Bafun uni… too many ways to be happy here!
*Noted that Weekend Shari (Fri & Sat) is slightly different from weeknights (Wed & Thu) and also a bit different from the collaboration at Kaneyoshi. Make sure to ask and find a way to experience all these beautiful versions of Yasu San’s Shari.
Neta lineups this weekend
great omakase at sushi inaba, not a single miss. would definitely come here more often if it wasn’t so far. yasu-san is still looking for a new spot, hopefully culver city location forthcoming…
highlights
- uni soba
- kinmedai bozushi
- sanma
- kohada
- mehikari tempura handroll
- seafood broth, doesn’t look like much but the shrimp flavor was so delicious and concentrated we all got seconds
- squid shiso tempura
review forthcoming @chrishei @formersushichef @562 @Clayfu @Spicyshlomi @NYCtoLA?
bonus rounds
Sobar, so good…
Soba/Tempura assuming from the otherside of Inaba?
my bite of the night
correct.
pizza from joe’s santa monica.
Aw yeah.