Raw Fish, and Other Weird Food Things

Annie here:  Hoot & I have been together now for going on 5 years…and we like to think that we know each other pretty well.  We spend just about all of our free time together, we work, blog, play, and relax together.  We’ve got our routines, but try to push ourselves to try new things and new places as often as possible.  It is hard to get away from the comfy favorites, though…but guess what?  We’ve got a new favorite:  Sushi!!!  There’s a great little place downtown called Yanagi Sushi & Grill.  Great food, and even better service!

Now, you might be thinking that Sushi is nothing new, right?  Well it is between us…I have always loved Sushi, but Hoot just never really had the opportunity to get into it, and frankly, thought it looked and sounded completely gross.  I’ve suggested it a couple of times over the years, but never pushed it knowing that Matt has to come around to things like this in his own time.  So, the magical moment happened a month or so ago; I pushed the idea a little harder, and he was feeling a little more adventurous, and it was awesome!

Now, don’t go thinking that Matt is picky or closed-minded, he just grew up in a different environment than I did.  I was raised with all kind of interesting foods, and just ate what was there.  Matt grew up on Hot Dogs, Macaroni & Cheese, and Hungry Man dinners.  Not that there’s anything wrong with all that (I’m a self-professed Mac & Cheese addict) but it’s not exactly fertile ground for new food flavors and texture experimentation.

Let me take you back in time a quick minute….when Matt and I first met almost 5 years ago on our first date, he was very gentlemanly and let me do the food ordering!  So, what did I go for?  All the “good” stuff from crab cakes to oyster shooters to lobster raviolis (we were at a tapas restaurant on the beach, what would you do?).  The next night I cooked him dinner and made mixed grill; crab legs, lobster tail, and a pork loin just in case.  I came to learn that he had never really eaten seafood, except for the occasional boring shrimp or salmon concoction, and always looked for a steak and potato.  Let me tell you, times have changed!  I have continuously commended him for his ability to adventure in food, loving it when he says “I’ll try anything once”!  He’s now quite the afficianado of things like abalone, oysters, carpaccio, pork belly, and all things mysterious and delicious!

I’m proud of him and love going on food adventures alongside him…always with a tasty beer or glass of wine in hand, there’s always something to celebrate.  After all, life is short and time is precious; live each day with passion!

Hoot here: I agree with everything Annie said…but from my point of view she was very easy on the food thing. She never pressed me to do anything, that combined with my own desire for adventure led to eating all these awesome new things. It was one of those right person, right place, right time things.

On a separate note…because Annie covered the food thing really well, is that I am a customer service whore. I know what I hate and what I like when I am the customer (as a business owner I have learned a lot, quickly!). The one thing that I really appreciate with Yanagi, their food is awesome, but more importantly; they make me feel like I am part of their family for the hour or so that we are there. From the hello’s when we walk in, to the thank you’s when we walk out…they are SUPERB! Maybe it’s their culture…maybe it’s the fact that they understand business in a small community…whatever it is, they knock our socks off every time we go in there!

So, a few key takeaways: 1) Annie kicks ass and I love her for letting me find my adventure as it is comfortable for me, 2) Yanagi understands customer service, and I ABSOLUTELY love that because customer service is kind of my thing, and 3) life is short, if you are not pushing yourself to do new things you live among the walking dead…living, and I mean truly living; requires that you push boundaries and self made limits…so live it up and try some raw stuff on a plate!!

Side note: Confession- I am chopstick illiterate! Sorry.

Now, let’s take you on a little tour of some of our Sushi delights, shall we?