658432 Fri Oct 09 23:58:57 -0700 2009 2 45 Japan 0 5092860 Hello, We live in Tokyo, and have been trying different sushi places in Tokyo once a week for the past year. I have to say I was slightly disappointed by the sushi we had for lunch at Mizutani. We ordered the omakase course (with sake ended up over 600USD for two), and though none of the items were bad, we did not find anything to be outstanding (as in best we have ever had) except for the egg - not something I would consider a yardstick for a sushi restaurant. I would definitely consider places like Sawada and Sushi Saito much higher in terms of the wow factor. I even think some of the non-Michelin places were better, like Sushizen and Ume no Sushi in Hokkaido, and Tsukasa and Kiraku-sushi in Tsukiji. We had heard stories of Mizutani-san's reticence and seriousness, but were surprised by the complete silence in the place despite being full with customers and my wife's (her Japanese is near fluent from living in Japan for almost 15 years) attempts to engage the itamae in conversation. Since we consider banter with the itamae an integral part of the sushi experience, that was another strike against this place. Funnily enough, after all the other customers left by the end of our meal, Mizutani-san opened up completely and we had lots of good laughs - very weird. Most people seem to drool and ooh and aah over Mizutani's fare, are we really alone in being underwhelmed with it? How do people compare Mizutani against Sawada or Kanesaka or Sushi Saito? SM Our Restaurant Pics - http://www.maliakel.org/web/pics/Restaurants/index.html Fri Oct 09 23:58:57 -0700 2009 1096774 sajith 1 5092887 Hi sajith: Nice photos...:-) In terms of quality, I consider Mizutani at the top of my sushi experience. But yes, he is more serious. I actually remember on my second visit there, despite my party being the only non-Japanese there, I was actually surprised he striked more conversation with us than the other Japanese clients who kept quiet most of the time, seriously focusing on the sushi. Beside that, his style is very traditional; there are less varieties and innovation hence less surprise there. Can't remember all the details but I was wow by the awabi, kuruma ebi, anago and others. But I am not surprised by your comment; I have two other friends underwhelmed too by the experience: one find it too serious and the other too traditional. To each his own... My own favorite is Sawada. Also quite serious (but less so than Mizutani) He brings more "surprise" to the sushi meal. So does Sushi Saitou. Kanesaka is the most friendly and easy to strike conversation. I enjoyed all the sushi meals in these 4 places. Have you tried Umi at Minami-Aoyama? Seem to be getting rave reviews too. I am not able to get a seating there on my upcoming trip to Tokyo. Sat Oct 10 01:08:49 -0700 2009 5092860 130720 FourSeasons 2 5092894 Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Fourseasons. We also like Sawada. We went at lunchtiime, and we were the only customers there. He was actually quite gruff toward us at first, but when he realized we spoke Japanese and weren't clueless about sushi, he was engaging and funny. He even told us how hard it was for him to be accepted as a top rated sushi chef because he doesn't have the age and pedigree usually required. We loved talking fish with him, and especially liked the aged-tuna - amazing!! Now I can't wait to try out Umi! Thanks for the tip! Sat Oct 10 01:39:38 -0700 2009 5092887 1096774 sajith