The OC: A Sushi Nightmare

[jschyun]

We have the only city (Irvine) that has 299Ranches.

for the innocents from parts east: what jschyun is trying to tell you here is that irvine is the only store with two 99 ranch markets (this only becomes meaningful information once you visit one), not that it is the only city with 299 ranches.

Oh crap. Sorry about that. But you guys knew what I meant, right?

[robyn]

I don't recall ever being in Orange County - so I can't join in the general badmouthing . But I've eaten a lot of sushi in Los Angeles - and other cities on the west coast. It's always been great (albeit very expensive). Robyn

[jschyun]

I have to say that as much as I enjoy bitching about Orange County, it's just not as enjoyable when everyone else joins in. Suddenly I feel an unfamiliar urge to defend it somehow. Let me tell you, that is a very strange feeling.

[tanabutler]

If I ever come down, will you meet me at the Vietnamese bakery you posted about? Orange County has its pretty places. It's the Disneyland thing and the political climate that freak me out. I'm probably the only person in the world who's afraid of Disneyland. But I also hate clowns, so no surprise there.

[jschyun]

Sure I'll meet you. I believe I have mentioned before, on this board, that like every other 13 year old I enjoy meeting strangers I met on the Internet.

Note: One of the (French) bakers at the Viet/French place sure likes the girls. He's not so friendly to me after he figured out I'm there for his product and not him. He told me that he wanted me to bring all my female friends, no guys allowed. Seulement les femmes! he says or something like that. Desperate guys are the same in every country.

Edited August 6, 2004 by jschyun (log)

[tanabutler]

You're THIRTEEN? Oh, boy! You probably have great drugs!

You don't?

[jschyun]

I meant mentally.

[Carlsbad]

Just to set the record straight, we get very high quality, local organic produce in San Diego County. You just have to look around a little bit. And while I don't think that there are any truly great restaurants in and around San Diego, to be fair, I don't think that there are truly great restaurants in very many places.

[secession]

Though I'd hardly consider Orange County the equal, culinarily-speaking, of LA proper, or SF, it had its moments (for me), having worked there for a few years. Sushi-wise, I had some very fine meals at Sushi Shibucho in Costa Mesa, easily on a par with those I had in LA or SF. Though I never had the opportunity to try them myself, places like Abe in Newport Beach, or Wasabi in Tustin, have gotten consistently good reviews as well.

[robyn]

I have to say that as much as I enjoy bitching about Orange County, it's just not as enjoyable when everyone else joins in.  Suddenly I feel an unfamiliar urge to defend it somehow. Let me tell you, that is a very strange feeling.

There's a big difference between disputes within a family - and attacks from outside. The attacks from outside - even if justified - make you "circle the wagons". Wait until January - when you get to see everyone in the media trash where I live during Super Bowl week. Robyn

[peter_nyc]

I was planning on trying the omakase lunch at Abe in Newport Beach, but time did not permit. For $25 it seemed pretty reasonable... has anyone eaten at Abe?

[megc]

And WHAT IS UP with this "the OC" business?  Sounds like it came from the same place as the dreaded "San Fran" and "Cali" abbreviations.  

My apologies. Let's just say I have many friends who watch the dreaded TV series with the same name. I can't have a conversation with them regarding CA without having to endure the harsh reality of their mass media induced abbreviatory tendencies. I'm the victim here, not the perpetrator.

OK, OK, I forgive you. But promise me you will avoid the "San Fran" abbreviation that so many New Yorkers use!

[tanabutler]

Worse than "San Fran" is "Frisco." There was a story in the Chronicle a few years ago about a couple of bums arousing suspicion in two San Francisco policemen, who asked where they were from. When they answered, "Frisco," one of the officers went to do a background check, found them with several outstanding warrants, and put them in the pokey.

[secession]

I know this is rapidly veering waaayy off-topic, but anyone remember the old Encyclopedia Brown books from childhood? The ones where Brown would always show up to solve some puzzle, or foil some scam cooked up by the local riff-raff (and you'd have to figure out how he did it)? I remember reading another book by the same author, in which the protagonist was on a train, and somehow deduced that the conductor was an impostor. The explanation was that the conductor said his home was in "Frisco," and that no true native of SF would ever use that word; therefore, the conductor was lying!

[jgarner53]

As to my preferred reference to Orange County (having grown up in it, I feel I have more than enough right to trash it), I generally say "behind the Orange Curtain."

I have yet to find good sushi in OC, and my husband (former Irvine inmate) and I are usually looking for some. Good to know the names of a couple of places for the few (maybe 2-3) times we're down there each year.

[Pouncy]

Just to set the record straight, we get very high quality, local organic produce in San Diego County. You just have to look around a little bit. And while I don't think that there are any truly great restaurants in and around San Diego, to be fair, I don't think that there are truly great restaurants in very many places.

While perhaps there aren't any "truly great" restaurants in San Diego, I think there are quite a few truly likeable ones.

My foodgasms have for the most part all been in San Diego. Star of the Sea, Bertrand at Mr. A's, Blue Point, the taco shops...there's some good food in this town.

[Carlsbad]

I agree wholeheartedly, Pouncy.

[jschyun]

I was planning on trying the omakase lunch at Abe in Newport Beach, but time did not permit. For $25 it seemed pretty reasonable... has anyone eaten at Abe?

Haven't had the $25 lunch omakase but have had the $50 omakase at dinner. Some of the dishes were interesting. Presentation is kind of cool, but I do wish they used better quality plates and glassware. What really put me off my feed were the flip-flop wearing neighborhood locals ordering California rolls and spicy tuna with...chardonnay. Also, the chefs are young and cheery.

[savvysearch]

.

Now, I'm not one to turn my nose up at the occasional bad sushi joint.  I mean, we in New York are certainly not immune to the perils of old, soggy rice with sloppy cuts of sub-par fish.  But, what shocked me was the fact that one of the restaurants I dined at, Taiko (Irvine), received quite a good rating on Zagat (24 for food).  I rarely find myself in disagreement with Zagat ratings in New York, and when I do, it's always a slight difference of opinion.  I was also apparently in disagreement with a LOT of patrons at Taiko-- my companion and I waited 15 minutes for a table and the place was packed until closing.  The other restaurant I visited, Funashin, was lightyears better than Taiko but not even reviewed by Zagat.

So what is the deal with sushi in the OC?  Are there any good places?  Or do I have to drive all the way up to LA to get decent Japanese in the state of California?

p.s. I'll spare you the gorey details of the roadkill sushi at Taiko-- just to give you an idea, the sushi that my local supermarket tastes like manna compared to whatever it was I consumed that night.

I have to defend my hometown. Yes SF and LA are far more exciting places to visit, as Orange County is not a world city and doesn't aspire to be. But it is a better place to live in terms of traffic, crime, schools, beaches, affordability and cleanliness then both SF and LA. (and frankly, every time a city has a random intense non-sports related hatred of another city, it smells of jealousy) As far as food, the ethnic cuisine that Orange County excels at is Vietnamese and of course Mexican. Neither LA or SF can compete in respect to Vietnamese. And there are good sushi places in Orange County. It's not comparable to sushi in LA, but what American city is?

I will say that Taiko is not one of them. Had you asked me, I would have warned you to stay as far away from Taiko as possible. That is probably my least liked sushi restaurant. I swear Ive had better sushi at casinos.

Edited August 18, 2004 by savvysearch (log)

[Ocean_islands]

I don't know anything about OC but I just have to add that New York City is the only place where I have had bad sushi. And it's where I live so that sucks.

[jschyun]

savvysearch, I can't be the only one noticing how many OC people are getting gold medals right now. I just heard about Amanda Beard.

I guess it is jealousy.

[savvysearch]

savvysearch, I can't be the only one noticing how many OC people are getting gold medals right now.  I just heard about Amanda Beard.

I guess it is jealousy. 

Orange County has overall very good swim programs in schools, I guess. But yeah, Ive always noticed the good swimmers that OC has. I guess OC is a swim town.

:)

Not to mention SOOO many athletes from California!

Edited August 20, 2004 by savvysearch (log)

[megc]

Not to mention SOOO many athletes from California!

I remember seeing a Cal swim cap during the Olympics and thinking that was super cool.

I love Olympic swimming! I love California!

In NY,

Meg

[jschyun]

I am stunned because I just had a great meal at Taiko and in a word, I have to say it was very good, dare I say excellent. And it only cost me $50 including tax and tip (I didn't drink). I think it was a very good value. If I keep getting meals like this here, I'll have reconsider the last position in my top 4 OC sushi places.

I had scallop sashimi that came straight out of the shell while I watched, and afterwards i got a hot preparation of the roe with that creamy sauce and onions and all that good stuff. Excellent.

I had decent uni, sweet and not registering at all on the skankometer. Ankimo (monkfish liver) was pretty good, nice portion. Toro decent. Yellowtail okay. Ikura not that great. Shoot, I forgot what else I had. I'll remember after I post this I'm sure.

I'm not really a roll person, but the person next to me suggested the salmon skin roll. It was probably the best salmon skin roll I've had, which considering I haven't had that much experience with it, means this is not a ringing endorsement by any means. It was hot, had some bonito shavings in it, some other stuff, and was crunchy yet moist and quite good. I'd get it again.

So I guess I'm glad I gave this restaurant yet another chance. I've been here over the years, but never understood why there was always such a huge line to get in. But you'll probably never believe me because I failed to bring my camera and capture the evidence. In fact, I can barely believe it myself.

[SG-]

Though I'd hardly consider Orange County the equal, culinarily-speaking, of LA proper, or SF, it had its moments (for me), having worked there for a few years.  Sushi-wise, I had some very fine meals at Sushi Shibucho in Costa Mesa, easily on a par with those I had in LA or SF.  Though I never had the opportunity to try them myself, places like Abe in Newport Beach, or Wasabi in Tustin, have gotten consistently good reviews as well.

←

Yeah, second the shibucho recommendation, one of the best experiences I've had at a sushi bar and prices are reasonable to boot!!!! Very old school which is what I enjoy, he doesn't make any of those stupid dynamite blasting dragon rolls or whatever stupid variation is in the vogue these days.

Check out this review I love reading it and reminisce my own experience...

Shibucho review