Yakuza

Kū or sora, most often translated as “Void”, but also meaning “sky” or “Heaven”, represents those things beyond our everyday experience, particularly those things composed of pure energy. Bodily, kū represents spirit, thought, and creative energy. It represents our ability to think and to communicate, as well as our creativity. It can also be associated with power, creativity, spontaneity, and inventiveness. Kū is of particular importance as the highest of the elements. In martial arts, a warrior properly attuned to the Void can sense their surroundings and act without thinking, and without using their physical senses.

When I go out to eat, one thing I really enjoy is a restaurant that isn’t stuffy. Even with great food, if a place feels cramped, dark, pretentious or filled with people trying too hard to engage in “fine dining” – I’m out. I’ll stay home and eat macaroni and cheese with the kids, every time.

Yakuza is exactly the kind of place I love. It’s so light and airy, there aren’t even four walls! The entire front of the restaurant opens to the sidewalk, and there is a breezeway to a delightful outdoor patio dining area. There are tables for two or four or dine family style on the big tables in the middle of the room. Very casual, and very comfortable.

Make no mistake though, the food is not simple and casual. It IS simple in terms of super fresh ingredients artfully combined, but there’s nothing casual about it, the staff at Yakuza has put some thought and some work into creating the complex flavors and beautiful arrangement of every single menu item we sampled.

 

Yazuka is immediately familiar and delicious, it’s so welcoming, you can even spend the night in their little rental that is right off the outdoor patio! (WWW.VRBO.COM/375245)

Out of this world, heavenly, beyond everyday experience, that’s Yakuza Japanese Pub.

The order of the day is supremely fresh food, prepared simply, yet skillfully to reach the absolute pinnacle of flavor.

We began our sampling meal with a few appetizers. Sautéed Padron Peppers were so flavor filled and delicous we almost could have stopped there, but no, oh no.

Tuna Prosciutto, tuna sashimi, atop asian pear, with meyer lemon oil and cracked pepper. Another big winner. Cleverly marinated to provide more body than you expect from “plain old” tuna sashimi, a hearty appetizer with mind blowing flavor.

A little salad with avocado, tuna, seaweed straws, and flying fish roe. Paradise on a plate. So good! Our server also informed us the the roe was “natural” – apparently it’s sometimes artifically colored, but we couldn’t understand why, the gold color was perfect.

Ribs, braised back ribs. Forget the southern BBQ, THESE are the way you want your ribs prepared. So delicious, with fall-off-the-bone tenderness. A must have.

And, for dessert, sort of, we had to try the “Yakuza Burger.” That was a good decision. Not usually a traditional japanese menu item, their burger is beyond good. The best burger I’ve had in a long time. Chevre, truffled shoestring potatoes, catsup and spicy mayo combine to make a burger that is so good, you won’t believe it! We failed to ask where the beef is sourced, but heaven is a good bet.

Lest I forget, the service is also great, and our server was very knowledgeable, definitely ask what your server recommends, ours exceeded our expectations.

Go to Yakuza, ASAP. We’re not kidding, stop reading! Go!