☞ EAT: Omakase Style at Jado Sushi

Jado Sushi at 114th Street and FDB/8th Avenue is the only sushi-ya in Harlem that has a Japanese chef at the helm and we tried out some of the new offerings omakase style this past week.  The word omakase literally means "I leave it up to you" and many say it is the only way to eat sushi.  This is really a style for the most of adventuresome since dietary restrictions should not be included when ordering this set plate for $60 a person.

On this visit at Jado, we were lucky enough to try a selection of sushi which included fresh fluke, snapper, tuna, mackerel, seared salmon, soft shell crab and even a taste of beef with sea urchin.  The mackeral was the surprise of the evening with a fattier cut than we were used to having at any restaurant and a maki version without rice was wrapped in kombu seaweed.  Some of the nigiri was presented with two slices of fish wrapping the rice ball vertically which was an artistic touch we were also not familiar with.  There was even a traditional maki roll with rice and soft shelled crab but the flavor profile was updated with a drizzle of curry and a mango slice on top.

Those interested in trying the omakase offering of the day will have to go to the sushi bar in the back and let chef Ken Shimuzu handle the selection for the night.  Diners ordering this way will find that they will be served up with a selection of sushi prepared differently from any main menu and will be treated to subtle surprises during the course of the meal.  The quality of fish changes each day so one will get something different from each visit.  More details on the best sushi spot in Harlem can be found on the official website: www.JadoSushi.com