Shiro's

Celebrating 20 years (1994-2014), Shiro's owner Yoshi Yokoyama and his group of talented chefs is still dedicated to crafting Edomae sushi. Master sushi chef Shiro Kashiba opened Shiro's in Belltown to rave reviews which have continued to this day. Shiro sold his business to Yoshi seven years ago, and Yoshi is continuing to promote Edomae sushi here and elsewhere. Shiro has been working part-time at the restaurant, but left earlier this year. He is planning a new venture of his own.

Far left: Tiger Nakawake, Shiro's Manager; Yoshi, owner, center; Shiro at right

Originally the meaning of Edomae was "edo," the old name for Tokyo, and "mae" meaning front, referring to fish caught in Tokyo Bay. Today it refers to Tokyo's traditional preparation of sushi using fish from area waters.

The team will continue to create signature dishes like kasu-marinated, broiled black cod; a la carte sushi; sashimi; and nigiri; as well as Omakase menus. The team includes:

Chef Yasuhiro Kusano from Fukushima: he studied in Tokyo, moved to New Zealand to study English, returned to Japan, then moved to Beverly Hills to work at Gonpachi in 2007. He moved to Seattle in 2014, working at I Love Sushi and then Shiro's.

Chef Michikazu Yoshida from Japan: he apprenticed at Sushi Sei in the Ginza district, worked at Takafune (a live-fish restaurant) in Tokyo, and owned a seafood izakaya franchise in Shizuoka. He recently moved to Seattle.

Chef Toshio Matsudo from Japan: he has 47 years of experience working as a sushi chef in Japan, China and Korea, and brings knowledge of classic Edomae-style sushi to Shiro's.

Chef Jun Takai from Japan: he leads the sushi chefs here. He worked in Kyoto's fish market for three years and knows how to spot quality fish. He worked at Shozen Sushi in San Diego for six years, then returned to Japan for five years. He joined Shiro's in 2012.

Chef Aaron Pate from Hawaii: he started making sushi in 1996 at San Sei in Maui, staying for 13 years. For two years, he lived in Japan and worked at ishi-Azabu Gonpachi in Tokyo. After coming to Seattle in 2011, he worked at Kisaku, Marinepolis Sushi Land, and Nishino. He joined Shiro's in May 2014.

Chef Tsuyoshi Kobayashi from Japan: in 1998 he came to Olympia and trained at the Capitol City Tennis & Athletic Center for two years. After his tennis training, he worked for Maneki restaurant in Seattle's International District until 2013. He joined Shiro's in January 2014.

Born in Japan, Tatsuya Nakawake ("Tiger") is Shiro's new manager. He studied at UCLA in Hotel & Restaurant Management, receiving his degree in 1994. He worked as a server, then manager, then general manager positions at restaurants including Matsuhisa, Sushi Roku, Katana, Boa and the Katsuya Group in southern California.

To celebrate the anniversary and new owner/staff, a party was held on September 30. The main guest was a 75-pound blue fin tuna (grown from egg). Guests were able to compare meat from various parts of the fish, along with other specialties form the kitchen. A surprise to the guests, Shiro also showed up. A great kick-off for the next 20 years!

Shiro's is located at 2401 2^nd Avenue in Belltown. 206-443-9844.

Chandler's Crabhouse Crab Cake Tour

Chandler's advertises their crab cake as the world's best and have decided to let it go on a global tour. Each month, they'll feature "Passport to Taste," with Chef Thomas Cullen preparing enhanced versions of their original crab cake influenced by different cuisines. A new version will appear every two weeks until mid-January. Guests can enjoy starter sizes or entrée portions. Each cake has a beverage pairing as well.

The tour:

10/14-27 Spain
Beverage pairings: Txolina, Txomin Etxaniz, Getaria, Basque 2013 white
Tempranillo, Muga Reserva, Rioja 2010 red

10/28-11/10 Japan
Beverage pairing: "Rock Cloud" Nigori Sake

11/11-11/24 France
Beverage pairings: Chablis, Drouhin-Vaudon, Premier Cru, Burgundy 2011 white
Pinot Noir, Louis Jadot, Premier Cru, Beaune, Burgundy 2011 red

11/25-12/8 India
Beverage pairing: Bombay Sapphire Martini with lemon and elderflower

12/9-12/22 Greece
Beverage pairing: Ouzo "neat"

12/23-1/5 Morocco
Beverage pairing: "Sweet N' Spicy" specialty cocktail

1/6-1/19 Italy
Beverage pairings: Pinot Bianco, Terian, Alto Adige 2012 white
Piedirosso, Mastroberardino, Lacryma Christi, Campania 2010 red

You've always wanted to travel extensively, right? Let your palate take the first trip.

Chandler's is located at 901 Fairview Ave N on Lake Union in Seattle.
206-223-2722 

www.schwartzbros.com

October 2014