My non-extensive 2-click internet research concludes that in Japanese culture the cherry blossom represents fragility and the beauty of life. With that being said, i'll go ahead and promptly address my point early; I am now a firm believer TOMO's Cherry Blossom sushi roll does as well. Just hear me out.
The roll transported me to a place far, far from here. Maybe it was a quiet crispy-aired garden complete with zen-like water sounds, or maybe even an ancient pagoda adorned with lotus flowers and water lilies... when in fact, it was actually just the 2-top table in a Bearden shopping plaza where my hubby and I sat on date night gazingly in love. Either way, I'm changed. Revived. And now, thanks to my own self-righteousness will after 2 years of not writing this blog, tell you why.
The notion that life is fragile and all things are beautiful and blah, blah, blah, blah...it all sounds like my last morning meditation mantra. But, the painfully adorably and ironic fact is, I already believe this notion. So, when the first bite of that roll hit my mouth, I finally, and for the first time through food, experienced this truth and beauty and ultimate fragility. Sound a little fishy? (Oh, a sushi joke?) Let me explain.
There were so many subtle little flavors. There was the culmination of the mild and gentle yet vividly bright red tuna, the heat wave of spice from the special ponzu sauce, the salty mayo and the crisp freshness of the cucumber topper. But then, oh wait, just then, that's when the miracle happened. On top of each piece was a small wedge of lime. LIME?? Yes. A paper-thin slice caps each piece and subsequently turned out to be the one missing component of every bite of every meal I have ever taken. Looking back now, it was actually just the taste of conquering a fear... because in my mind the lime was about to ruin the entire taste experience of that bite. I had already decided it didn't belong there and therefore was about to ruin not only the bite, but the meal, the night and everything in between. How dramatic. Thankfully everything I've learned after years of succumbing to my own demons tells me not to stop before the miracle happens- and thankfully I didn't. And, it turns out that it was the game changer I had so desperately been searching for. The bitter, sour lime was neither bitter or sour or even a lime flavor at all anymore. It became something totally different. It brightened, supported, toned and enhanced every other flavor in the entire bite. The fragility of a god forsaken sushi roll became evident through flavor and therefore beautiful and ultimately meaningful. It was a whole new flavor- a flavor I could have never imagined and will never forget. It was the perfect metaphor. It's almost like they thought this shit through before naming it. It was thousands of years of knowledge on my plate, next to my chopsticks and low-sodium soy sauce.
There were so many subtle little flavors. There was the culmination of the mild and gentle yet vividly bright red tuna, the heat wave of spice from the special ponzu sauce, the salty mayo and the crisp freshness of the cucumber topper. But then, oh wait, just then, that's when the miracle happened. On top of each piece was a small wedge of lime. LIME?? Yes. A paper-thin slice caps each piece and subsequently turned out to be the one missing component of every bite of every meal I have ever taken. Looking back now, it was actually just the taste of conquering a fear... because in my mind the lime was about to ruin the entire taste experience of that bite. I had already decided it didn't belong there and therefore was about to ruin not only the bite, but the meal, the night and everything in between. How dramatic. Thankfully everything I've learned after years of succumbing to my own demons tells me not to stop before the miracle happens- and thankfully I didn't. And, it turns out that it was the game changer I had so desperately been searching for. The bitter, sour lime was neither bitter or sour or even a lime flavor at all anymore. It became something totally different. It brightened, supported, toned and enhanced every other flavor in the entire bite. The fragility of a god forsaken sushi roll became evident through flavor and therefore beautiful and ultimately meaningful. It was a whole new flavor- a flavor I could have never imagined and will never forget. It was the perfect metaphor. It's almost like they thought this shit through before naming it. It was thousands of years of knowledge on my plate, next to my chopsticks and low-sodium soy sauce.
Long story short, my head exploded all over the back wall of the dojo and we left.
Not really.
We pounded a variety of rolls and pieces as well as tempura sweet potato, asparagus & crab sticks. It all kept my head spinning and belly swooning. Our waitress was a peach, the perfectly-dim lighting kept my eyes comfortable for once and the check total didn't make us crap our pants. Near date night meal perfection by my standards.
It feels good to be back y'all. Anybody want to go get some lunch? I feel a tent revival coming on.
Colleen's yummy food rating 5/5.
Go there.
http://www.tomoknoxville.com
Not really.
We pounded a variety of rolls and pieces as well as tempura sweet potato, asparagus & crab sticks. It all kept my head spinning and belly swooning. Our waitress was a peach, the perfectly-dim lighting kept my eyes comfortable for once and the check total didn't make us crap our pants. Near date night meal perfection by my standards.
It feels good to be back y'all. Anybody want to go get some lunch? I feel a tent revival coming on.
Colleen's yummy food rating 5/5.
Go there.
http://www.tomoknoxville.com
