Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 5, 2015

FOOD AND DRINK

12

Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 5, 2015 


SUSHI ON GREEN. MATSURI

Sushi honorable enough for a samurai warrior to defend. 

 If you are familiar with a corner restaurant on Green and 
Wilson, you know that Matsuri is the Emperor of Sushi. 
When you walk through their doors you are stepping off 
a train in the heart of Tokyo. Imagine the energy of a great 
city where the places of dining are venerated as shrines 
and not an indifferent meal sitting. The playful name of 
Matsuri means, Japanese Festival, and the conscious hope 
of the name speaks to the good-natured belief that all great 
parties include dazzling food and trusted friends. 

 I brought along a trusted friend on this trip to Matsuri, 
Sean Lorenzini. He hunts sushi the way Melville’s Ahab 
hounded the depths for whales, Sean being much in the 
same mold as myself, perennially found about the world 
and appearing fated to wander from one dining table to 
the next. Besides, if I was to play the part of Starbuck I 
need a strong captain for this voyage.

 Once seated we started with the Red Snapper Carpaccio 
it is an item that you may not find that frequently. We 
shared the dish, he on one side and I on the other, and we 
both agreed it was a savory sendoff. More of an appetizer 
than a meal, so we both yearned for our next plate and 
before I could say superfrignexbealladosciuos, the next 
dish magically appeared. “She’s Spicy Hot,” yes you read it 
right, this spicy tuna appetizer laid out on a thin mint wafer 
is scintillating. Actually it’s Shiso Hot, but a little writer’s 
exaggeration never hurt.

 There is one inescapable thing that all great sushi must 
possess, freshness. That is the fundamental element in 
any great Sushi restaurant and they ensure it at Matsuri. 
Papa San motors to the LA Fish Market at least five times a 
week to buy fish for the restaurant. Improbable, impossible, 
unimaginable you say, not to be found in this day and age! 
Pride drives that man to honor his guests. The delivery 
truck may sling fish at other restaurants but the emperor of 
sushi walks the docks as the fish is delivered and turns his 
keen eye to the best catch of the day. The gas is on me Papa 
San, put the pedal to the metal. I didn’t get the names, as I 
was offered only, Momma San, Papa San and Son of San. 
But I did meet John Hunter, recently retired from JPL, and 
the “Official Mayor” of Matsuri. John visits the sushi bar 
at least three times a week and loves the daily specials. He 
is soft for an old reliable, the Live Scallops and Sea Urchin, 
and orders them whenever available. 

 The entrees were fantastic, I always order a Spicy Tuna 
Hand Roll. I even convinced Ahab; of course he ordered 
the rice paper, while I got the traditional seaweed wrap. 

Sake and Beer are available, I do recommend sitting at the 
Sushi Bar if seats are available. 

 It appears in this story that Ahab survives with a smile.

Matsuri 1050 E. Green St. Pasadena (626) 844-2900 open 
lunch and dinner

 Please listen to my talk show on AM 830 KLAA 6 PM on 
Sundays. www.peterdills.com


TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


Telephone 626.351.8951 • www.lasallehs.org.
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