Kanoyama

Happy Birthday Amy!

I took my cousin Amy to Kanoyama for her birthday this weekend. I was actually trying to make reservations at Sushi Seki but they were closed on Sundays. I've never heard of Kanoyama but it's rated the same according to The Zagat. I ordered the sashimi tasting for the both of us, two appetizers, and two extra pieces of sushi. The waiter told us that it might be too much food for the both of us and we might want to just share one sashimi tasting. I canceled one of the appetizers instead. I figured how could it be too much food?! Most tastings are tiny and I can eat. In the end he was right. The tasting comes with soup or salad, 3 appetizers, 9 types of sashimi (2-4 pieces of each), and icecream. What I really liked was that they gave us all different appetizers so instead of having the same three we actually had six and each appetizer was a full serving unlike most tastings which are usually just a taste. The apps were more than enough for the two of us to have, well, just a taste!

Gori Karaage - Deep Fried Baby Flat Fish

Yellow Tail Avocado Handrolls in Fried Wonton Wrappers - can you believe they give you three handrolls as an app for a tasting menu!

Ankimo Sashimi - Monkfish Liver

Some kind of Sashimi from the fish that was used to decorate the plate. Sorry I forgot the name. The fish was mixed with finely grated fresh ginger, scallions, and sesame and was paired with yellow and purple chrysanthemum. What I really loved about this dish was what they did with it afterwards!....

They actually took the dish away and then brought back the fish bones deep fried! It was deeeelicious with a squirt of lemon. Waste not, want not. I am a firm believer that every part of an animal can be eaten and is sometimes more delicious than its more popular parts. I ate the whole tail and body, bones and all. I only left the head.

Shisyamo- Smoked Smelt from Hokkaido, Japan

Our last appetizer was some kind of carpaccio that I can't remember. But it was really good. It was sprinkled with flower petals that added an interesting taste as well as a beautiful decoration.
I realize now that I didn't take a picture of this. I was too in a rush to eat.

Matsutake Sumiyaki- Grilled Matsutake Mushrooms over Charcoal
I ordered this on the side since I love mushrooms. It was served with lemon and salt but we were advised not to squirt the lemon on top of the coals because this would cause a lot of smoke!

Now on to our entree! Can you believe that was just the appetizers?!

This platter was for the both of us. I can't remember what was in it but I remember my waiter saying arctic char, sardines, tile fish, whiting, jack fish, blue fin toro, salmon, there were just too many!

Right side of plate

Left side of plate

Kanoyama's presentation is really beautiful. We sat by the bar and my eyes kept opening wider and wider! Everything was artfully presented. I couldn't stop asking, "What is that?" with everything that passed by.

Uni from Japan

Tobiko Sashimi with Quail Yolk

After all this I was stuffed. With the tasting we got a choice of ice cream, green tea, red bean, or vanilla. We shared the green tea and red bean.

I really enjoyed Kanoyama. I was really surprised at their variety and portion sizes. For the price you pay for the tasting you really get a lot. Both the sushi and cooked dishes are delicious. However I don't agree with Zagat's rating. I don't think it belongs in the same rating as Masa, Sushi Seki, and Nobu. The quality of the fish is good, good as in local sushi joint good. I wouldn't say it's a gourmet sushi, it's a fancied up very very good local place. I would definitely go again.


Kanoyama
175 2nd Avenue (Corner of 11th Street)
(212) 777-5266
www.kanoyama.com