The Tokyo Olympics are underway! No matter which event you like to watch, we are proud that it is being held in Japan! We are happy to enhance the experience by adding sushi when you are watching the live broadcast from Tokyo!
Summer Platter
Gatherings, occasions, and festivities seem bigger than we expected as people catch up from 2020. Continuing from last month, we offer our Summer Platter to enjoy with friends, family, and more, whether outside at a park, on your deck, or in your living room watching the Olympics!
In August we are including Unagi (Fresh Water Eel) in the platter! Unagi is a popular summer fish, especially on the day called “Doyo no Ushinohi,” which is “Unagi Day,” when people eat unagi for stamina in the summer. While Doyo no Ushinohi was July 28, Unagi remains a popular in-season fish throughout summer.
The rest of the platter is made up of 32 pieces of chefs choice nigiri (8 kinds of fish with 4 pieces each) and 2 types of rolls.
Price: $150 plus tax
Order by phone 206-443-9844, 24 hours ahead
Available for takeout only
Fish of the Month
Isaki (Grunt)
Isaki is a white fish caught throughout Japan. If you’re ever near the South of Tohoku and near shores where reefs are present there is a great chance that you’ll find Isaki, too!
Although Isaki can be caught throughout the year, its peak season is Summer since it becomes fattier in warmer months than in other seasons. As a result, you can enjoy fatty yet chewy Isaki white fish, which some white fish lovers might prefer over Madai (sea bream).
Wine at Shiro’s
Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
As a Sushi restaurant we focus most on sake, but bringing together sushi and wine is also an excellent pairing! Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is definitely one of those such wines.
The wine shines well above its reasonable price. Its crispness with a hint of citrus refreshes with each sip, and brings out the flavor of sushi without interfering with bitterness that many other wines in this price range would have.
From New Zealand, the estate is older than 100 years. The 2020 vintage has received numerous accolades, and we are proud to offer it alongside our sushi!
Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Awards
GOLD MEDAL – San Francisco International Wine Awards 2020
DOUBLE GOLD – China Wine & Spirits Awards 2020
90 POINTS – JamesSuckling.com Nov 2020
“Plenty of lime and passion-fruit aromas here with mango too. The palate has a very supple fleshy feel with beautifully fresh acidity holding tropical-fruit flavors long and fresh.”
SILVER MEDAL – New York International Wine Competition 2020
93 POINTS – Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout, Dec 2020
“An enticing, fresh, varietal and pure fruited bouquet followed by flavours of apple and lemon, pink grapefruit, a touch of quince then tropical fruit flavours of pineapple and mango. The herbaceousness is obvious yet calm and entwined through the fruit flavours. Firm, crisp, refreshing and dry. Well made and ready from today and through 2023.”
4 STARS – BEST VALUE – Winestate Magazine, March 2021 issue
“Already drinking well, this is a ripely scented, sweet-fruited wine. Full-bodied, it has tropical fruit flavours, showing very good depth, fresh acidity and a dry finish.”
SILVER MEDAL – New York International Wine Competition 2020
93 POINTS – Cameron Douglas MS, The Shout, Dec 2020
“Lot of juicy grapefruit and zesty lime, touch of bell pepper. Palate spritzy, with lime and touch of bell pepper, fresh, cool, bright style. Persistent with lemon grass finish.”
What you see in Japan in August
Obon
Obon is a Buddhist Festival that takes place in Summer. With the present calendar in Japan, it is August 13 – 15. Although it is not a National Holiday, Obon is considered a 3-day holiday for many Japanese companies and organizations (Government offices are open as normal, though).
Obon is a time to show respect to spirits of ancestors. It is considered that spirits of ancestors come back to earth during this time, and many places have dance festivals called Bon-Odori, to welcome returning spirits.
Since Obon is a family-focused event, families gather at their parents’ house to spend time together. Travel, whether by car, train, or airplane, are all congested during this time, and the center and business district of Tokyo becomes empty.
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