On a recent trip to one of my favorite restaurants in the city, I had the pleasure of walking into Morimoto to the surprise of not only the omakase tasting menu to which the restaurant is known for but a new addition to the prixe fixe standard. Not only was the omakase offered but we were informed of the addition of a monthly rotating seasonal tasting menu. The ingredient of choice (as if it were truly the Iron Chef television show!) was heirloom tomatoes. More affordable than the traditional omakase, and equally worth the price, we were treated to 2 courses from the sushi bar, tasting exotics like Aji tartare with heirloom tomato tuille, with heirloom puree and a golden big eyed snapper and heirloom tomato salad. After a green tomato sorbet with cracked white pepper (oddly exciting), we were taken through 3 courses from the hot kitchen as opposed to the standard 2. A light Tai fume soup to start followed by a substantial dry aged sirloin course, and finishing with the most delightful Spanish mackerel topped with 4 different strains of heirloom tomato. Even the dessert featuring a tomato water, and the quirky combination of a biscuit and a french chevre cheescake finished what ended up being one of the most original and forward thinking tasting menus I've had at Morimoto. Morimoto rarely dissapoints and I now get to look forward to the upcoming Matsutake mushroom tasting menu. If tasting menus are your thing, these seasonal tasting menus have much potential if they live up to this tomato menu...
more