Page 13 - Boca Exposure - October '23

Boca Exposure, Page 13
Dining Out: A Samurai’s Transformation

By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire First Impressions: If you have ever been west of only did we get the standard tempura lobster in the roll,
Country Club. Hungry Al’s Jog Road in Delray, you are probably aware that new but they also delivered a side portion of the lobster. It’s
love for food started very home development in this area of town is booming. It a meal in itself.
young. Never satisfied with doesn’t take a mogul real estate expert to know that Another winner was the Triple Sexy Roll ($17). Here
his Mom’s dishes, he started “if you build it ... they will come.” As for Yakitori, it’s you’ll get an inside combo of yellowtail, tuna and salmon.
to cook his way through her not new to South Florida, but new to West Delray. This Then, as if that weren’t enough, it’s topped with seared
“Betty Crocker Cookbook.” Japanese restaurant group has several familiar names in tuna, salmon, and yellowtail again. Tastes as good as it
During the years to follow he our surrounding vicinity: Coco Delray, Saiko Boca, and sounds.
spent many hours working in Koi Fort Lauderdale. We also loved the Tuna Tartar ($17). This was the
restaurants, both as server and cook, attending cooking This location is located in the Tuscany Shoppes just perfect refresher of the evening, with diced tuna (or
classes and traveling the world in an effort to expand before the turnpike entrance. It took over the Yellowtail salmon) layered with the heat of wasabi, the acidity of
his palette. As a professional writer, Hungry Al offers Sushi location and, as of my visit, the previous signage soy, and then balanced with the savory of the guacamole.
his perspective on current food trends and guides you was still visible. So don’t be confused and make an Served with chips.
through your local restaurant options. unnecessary U-turn. You would think that by now we are feeling and
Happily, Yakitori utilizes a small footprint for its looking like two contented Buddhas, but that didn’t stop
Yaktori Sushi House dining room, along with a small sit-down sushi counter. us from trying our only kitchen entrée of the night, the
7959 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33446 I prefer a smaller and intimate space, so this definitely Miso Sea Bass ($39). I’ll admit we took a good portion
(561) 401-6391 worked for us. Interestingly, that Monday was busy with of this home, not because it didn’t taste good but because
yakitoridelray.com sushi-hungry patrons, which is always a good sign. our “eyes are bigger than our stomachs.” Regardless of
Prime Your Taste Buds: Before we started our the doggie bag, this piece of fish was excellent. Cooked
Food For Thought: For me, sushi is a hate and love Japanese journey, we asked our seasoned waiter, Bill, to perfectly, seasoned perfectly, and the shitake mushroom
fish story. For years I have been going to the same sushi guide us through the menu. He pointed out the highlights topping was perfect.
restaurant without much thought. Let us just state this with the devotion of a Shogun. Hungry Al, (that’s me) From The Dessert Tray: Only one dessert offering
habitual condition as a “matter of convenience.” But soon went with a signature appetizer, the Roasted Wrap Duck here at Yakitori: the Fruit Crepe ($12). I was really full
after the Omakase experience I enjoyed with my son-in- ($15). Imagine tender roasted duck enhanced with thin by now, but what’s a good review without the one dessert
law, I had a spiritual sushi transformation: I realized then slices of avocado, delicate spring mix, and then wrapped on the menu. I conceded. Nothing special, but the fresh
that not all sushi is equal. with an Indian crepe-like pancake. Perfection! berries inside and the sweet, whipped cream kept our
I had been a loyal samurai to my favorite “go-to” sushi Hungry D couldn’t resist her semi-vegetarian urges forks moving at an unstoppable speed.
location, but this revelation made me aware of how much and selected the standard Lettuce Wraps ($17). Even Check, Please: What I love about this Japanese
the quality and technique of sushi preparation differs. No though she enjoyed them, I personally found the mixture restaurant is its diverse menu. Not everything has to be
longer could I cope with my old sushi chef’s sword-slicing of chopped chicken meat and onions a bit on the dry side. wrapped around a perfect sushi roll. Here the menu reads
methods like cutting lox at a deli (thin as you can). Nor But then again, I’m not a big lettuce wrap fan. like a Greek diner. Too many choices to list, but I’m sure
would I prefer to eat a Rainbow Roll that turned out like We also shared the Dim Sum Platter ($15) combination you’ll find a great variety to satisfy anyone’s Japanese
an understated California Roll. of four different steamed dumplings consisting of palate. Don’t Sumo wrestle the idea of traveling to West
For many of us, we tend to gravitate to restaurants shrimp, wasabi pork, wagyu beef and lobster/shrimp. Delray, because Yakitori will deliver a Buddha-type of
where we feel most comfortable or find to be predictable These mouthful morsels of pleasure delivered as Bill had happiness that will have you rubbing your chopsticks in
in its menu and food preparation. Unfortunately, this is promised. delight! Therefore, I’m offering this temple of taste four
a double-edged sword and doesn’t allow us to challenge Straight From The Sushi Master: Can’t go to a sushi golden Buddhas.
our palates or expand our awareness of innovative styles restaurant without having sushi! Our first recommendation
of cooking or ingredients. was the Lobster Bomb ($34). To be honest, I rarely have
For me, restaurants like Yakitori are an eye opener that this roll, probably because I’m always thinking my wallet
provide a new perspective on how some Japanese eating is the only thing being rolled. But this one was well worth
establishments rise above the mediocre standards. it. The plating of this dish was incredibly enticing. Not

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