Yoshi's was a huge part of our life. Just go to the Yoshi's tag and see. And even then it will undersell just how much that restaurant meant to me and Conrad. Weekly and more meals there, sitting at the bar, making friends with other regulars and with Yoshi and Nobuko. We miss it sorely.
Sigh.
Yoshi passed away in 2015, but Nobuko kept their restaurant and legacy going until 2021. She has now retired, but their daughter, Mari, a Michelin-starred chef in her own right, has forged a great career. She is currently at Cherry Circle Room at the Illinois Athletic Association Hotel, and that was where we went on Friday night with Nobuko and Laura.
The awesome thing about having dinner with a dear friend who is also mother of the chef is that the service - surely already quite fine - is exceptional. Wines at the ready. Food sent out in anticipation of what we might like. Knowing her by name. We had such a leisurely evening at the table, catching up and having so much (SO MUCH) good food.
I didn't photograph everything. For example, I neglected to get a shot of the beef tartare that came out with a quail egg and a snow drift of grated aged gouda. And that was one of my favourite things! Ah well. But I did get a shot of the whole fried fish, an homage to a dish at Yoshi's (perhaps) and served with a delicious, fragrant rice redolent of star anise.
I also got a shot of the enormous beef rib.
The glaze on that plus the rice with the fish were such a good combo.
And I got a few dessert shots. I loved the flavour and texture of the ring of little mochi doughnuts, served with a strawberry sauce.
The creme caramel was another success.
And the seasonal dessert pastry had hints of spring in the rhubarb and strawberries.
We were delighted by the time we had. First off, Nobuko and Laura were such great company. Secondly, the setting was remarkable. A busy recreation and bar room outside, a more serene dining room inside, fantastic detail in the building all around. And finally, the food. Very good. I'm going to see if I can get here again with friends in tow.
We left, contented. And then it was on to Michigan the next day...
Posts
