Being that Sushi is my favorite food in the world, if I am to have a blog, it is imperative that I give due ode to the Sushi spot closest to my heart, which is Su-Shin located in Lauderhill, FL.
This is the place where dreams come true for any real Sushi afficionado.
My dear friend Jon & I have had a soft spot for this place for nearly a decade, however I have not had the pleasure of eating there since before I moved to NYC for a year, and I have already been back in South Florida for over a year and a half.
Since I have been living in Boca Raton for the entire time since I returned from the city, I found my own favorite local sushi joint, Fuji. I formed a cameraderie with the proprietor Jammy Yan, and believe his place to be one of the best in Boca. However, I unfortunately never found myself in a convenient situation to go hit up Su-Shin due to its location.
Last night marked my return to my beloved Su-Shin. I was at my homeboy Aylon's place, and he had to send out a package at the Fed Ex Kinkos at 9:45 at night. I was a bit perplexed as to why it so imperative that it had to be dropped off at FedEx that late at night rather than the next day, but was informed that it was the tracking number that was the key factor of this errand, and that it rested on being compensated for freelance videography work sooner than later. At this point, I fully understood.
The real mission at hand though was to figure out where to eat.
This usually tends to be a very important mission. We went over place after place in our heads until it hit me that we were within the vicinity of the mighty Su-Shin!!
I insisted that we go there, and he had no qualms about it. I was surprised since I didn't think he had the knack for sushi. I also forgot that Su-Shin was literally minutes from his place. The excitement I began to have build within me was hard to contain. I began to pound on the ceiling of the car immersed in a chant regarding our near presence at my ultimate favorite Sushi restaurant.
I even called Jon to share in the excitement, and he was quite stoked for me to get to be back there for the first time in almost 3 years, and for Aylon to get to try it for the first time ever. We walked in, and the place was as beautiful as I remember it.
The 2008 Zagat sticker was at the front as we walked in. Now, I am not really one to care for Zagat ratings, especially in NYC where Zagat restaurants abound like the salmon of Capistrano, and there are so many other restaurants that are not Zagat rated which are way better than the plethora of Zagat restaurants. Part of the fun of the city is finding your own favorite spots, and I would say that only 20% of those places in the city were Zagat rated for me. Yet, down here in South Florida, only the absolute best of the best are given the Zagat recognition. It takes on a new meaning when a Sushi restaurant has a Zagat rating down here.
Now, enough about the Zagat talk, and let's cut to the chase. Zagat or no Zagat, Su-Shin absolutely held up and surpassed itself since my last romance with it, to cement the top spot in my Sushi love. I boldly will say that it is more quality than any place I frequented in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, and I ate a lot of sushi all over those boroughs. If you don't believe me, take a trip down and give it a shot. It's worth it, trust me. Even moreso, if you live locally in the South Florida area, dont even hesitate. Get in your car this second and make your way to the savory Su-Shin.
http://www.sushinthai.net/
Now that I was there for the first time in about 3 years, I knew that I had a lot of catching up to do. I decided that it was going to be a free for all.
I ordered a bottle of the Ozeki Nigori Sake (the milky unfiltered kind served cold) which I can never get enough of. Aylon and I split the Tuna Tataki appetizer with Ponzu Sauce and a pile of scallions and incredible hot sauce in the center. What I love about this place is they allow you to get full or half rolls of many of the choices, realizing that variety is the spice of life, and providing it for their customers.
Even a half roll includes 6 large pieces. I'm telling you this place is incredible.
I ordered a half of a Chronic Roll. Yes, that's correct, a Chronic Roll. It had White Tuna, Asparagus, Masago, Fried Jalapeno, Spinach Reversed W/Aonori Regular and dill on the outside layer of the rice.
I also ordered a half of a Tropical Roll which had Eel, Shrimp Tempura, Cheese, Masago Reversed Top Layer w/Avocado. These rolls were incredible, the Tropical Roll being the better of the two.
The other roll I ordered was called the Dreaming Roll. This roll had Eel, Cream Cheese, Avocado, Topped with Crispy Tuna, Sweet Miso Sauce, Tempura Flakes. Now tell me that doesn't sound unbelievable!
However, I felt that it would end up being too similar to the Tropical Roll. Right as I was thinking this, I looked up and saw on the light up neon board that the Chef Special was the Obama Roll!!!! All it said was Obama (NY Steak) Roll. I had no idea what was in it aside from NY Strip Steak, which I love to death, but when it comes to Sushi I like to keep it to Sushi. I thought to myself, NY Steak in a Sushi Roll?? I've seen many rolls with teriyaki chicken, beef, etc but I have chosen not to partake in that type of roll because then it isn't really technically Sushi.
I decided to screw the rule I had invoked for my entire Sushi lifetime and cancel the Dreaming Roll to substitute the Obama Roll. I figured it was worth taking the chance just in honor of our prophetic & wonderful new President.
I was so pleased to see a Japanese Restaurant showcasing the Obama Roll, reminding me what a difference Obama's victory has made already regarding the way the rest of the world views our country. The woman even said to me, "You try the Obama Roll yea? It's now your favorite right?" I avidly acknowledged that she was right.
This roll was something else. It was the first time I had ever eaten Sushi and felt something much deeper.
Here I was, at my favorite Sushi spot that I have ever had the privilege of eating at anywhere, and I was eating a roll created in honor of our daring new President who I respect and admire so much. I felt true peace and unity while eating my food last night.
The roll was obviously going for symbolism. It had savory juicy chunks of NY Strip Steak at the center, Cream Cheese, Avocado, Red & Yellow Sauce. It had black sesame seeds mixed with the outer layer of white rice, the only roll to do so, as the others has brown or white sesame seeds. I thought all of this was wonderfully thought out, showing through the art of food how all colors can co-exist and look absolutely beautiful and balanced to form an incredible whole.
As Reverend Joseph E. Lowery eloquently, humorously, and stirringly stated "Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. "
I say Amen to that!!! That's what I'm talking about! I could not get that speech out of my head while eating this delicious Obama Roll.
Of course I also couldn't help but crack up remembering Jon Stewart's parody of that speech with the words "When Blue will be allowed in two, when Puce will be set loose, when we rise above the minutiae of Fuchsia, and Orange …. screw Orange!"
The best part about the roll was the presence of the lettuce. Each piece had lettuce, but like the Spider Roll would have Soft Shell Crab poking far out of two pieces, or the Mexican Roll would have two large Shrimp Tempura tails poking out, this roll had giant pieces of lettuce poking at least 2-3 inches out of two of the pieces.
I have never seen this in a roll ever, and was trying to make sense of it. The lettuce was blatantly in your face. To me it spoke loudly of a clever pun with food of "Lettuce have hope! Lettuce make a difference! Lettuce change!"
After all was said and done, I had spent nearly $70 on what was possibly the most delicious, sentimental, memorable, moving, and inspiring meals I have had in ages. What else would I expect from my dear Su-Shin after such a long hiatus??
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