Last week a friend and I had dinner at O Ya and it was pretty incredible. We had high expectations for the place as it has been called one of the best sushi places and best new restaurants around by trustworthy sources like the NYT and Food & Wine (it’s not so new anymore). Sushi is not exactly a vegetarian’s best friend so I was interested to see what they’d have in store for us.
Ambience: Modern, rustic and elegant all at the same time. The place is small with only about five tables and a large bar area known as the Chef’s Counter where we sat and where you can watch some of the chefs work their magic.
Variety: Before we could even scan the menu for vegetarian options, the waiter asked us about our dietary restrictions and assured us our “vegetarian/no fish/no egg” diets would be accommodated, and with a smile! He thought we should know about the fish-based ingredient in many of their sauces and dishes and said the best option for us would be to let the chef create personalized dishes for us. What followed was a true culinary experience with 6 or 7 (I lost count) dishes ranging from vegetable sashimi and tofu tempura to a beautiful beet salad and glazed mushrooms. Every dish was inventive and presented as a piece of art.
Quality: The food was delicious and everything was prepared with great care and attention to detail. It was clear that the chef wanted us to have the “O Ya experience” despite our inability to eat fish. As far as vegetarian sushi goes, it was definitely the best I’ve ever had.
Bottom line: If you’re willing to splurge for a special occasion, go for the experience of having uniquely prepared vegetable dishes at a high-end sushi restaurant. It was pricey ($140 for the both of us) but understandably so and worth every penny. This place is always booked so make a reservation well in advance. And don’t forget to order the coconut almond gelato with a dash of warm espresso for dessert, it is heavenly.
http://www.oyarestaurantboston.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment