Mar 31 2009
Ace Wasabi Restored to Excellence!
Thank you Ken Lowe!
Thank you Akiyo! Thank you Marisa! Thank you to all the Chefs! Thank you to the Hostess and all the Bus Boys and Dish Washers!
One of my original partners in hospitality (my brother) was in town for a little get away from LaLa-land. When he was in town we’d have to go for sushi and for years the place we’d enjoyed going was Ace Wasabi Rock and Roll Sushi.
Back in the day we’d get there and hope for a wait. The more time before we sat down meant the more time we had for drinks, laughs, and talking to the ladies. We would get big Asahi beers and some hot Saki, mingle in the crowd, grove to the awesome sounds, and make time for the ladies. Ace Wasabi from beginning-to-end was an event!
Well, I’ve written here lately about the good and fantastic and the bad and ugly. I will say this first—the food has ALWAYS been phenomenal! However, I have been recently troubled about a few misfires at my favorite Sushi place in SF, the kinds of things you experience when a your memory of what was, is better than, what is now, when your expectations are high and what happens is low and you find yourself making excuses for the way it used to be.
You can read about what I’m talking about in these three posts: Ace Wasabi: How Important is the Waiter: the disappointment, Response from: Ace Wasabi Owner Ken Lowe, and the follow up visit: Ace Wasabi Redux!
But I’m here today to tell you my faith has been restored—Ace has been restored! I can honestly say without any reservation that Ace is back on top of it’s game—Saturday night (3/28/09) exceeded expectations and recollections… (And yes, I do believe we here at IrascibleChef had something to do with it…)
Of course Ken Lowe’s response to his loyal customers comments ultimately and deservedly gets the credit—thanks! The last time I was back, a short while ago, I proclaimed that Ace was back, but this past visit pushes it over the top!
The latest addition to Ace’s dining room—Akiyo our lovely host and manager visibly present and actively participating in our fantabulous dining experience.
We did have to wait to be seated (but it was welcomed.) Great, there’s a favorite place around the corner to get a drink. We were back within the time limit, but we did have an additional 35 minute wait. No big deal—Asahi and Saki does the soul good.
When we were seated we followed the hostess to the back area and this nicely dressed woman apologized for our wait. (I thought that was interesting—very interesting!) I asked the hostess if that was a manager (A visible floor manager was something I highly recommended and had previously been painfully absent.) I was delighted to hear that it was in fact a manager. (I was asked if I would like to speak with her. I said no, knowing I would before the end of the evening.)
We had many of the past favorites including the Albacore Tataki (which is still the best ANYWHERE,) Tuna and Salmon Tartare Old Style on deep fried Shinto leaves (not on the menu any more—just ask for it Old Style. This time the ingredient I don’t care for was isolated—dill and I think a little lemon that starts to chemically cook the tartare.)
On the rolls side of things we had the Kamikaze—spicy tuna & asparagus wrapped w/ albacore tuna topped w/ ponzu & scallions, which is always a treat, Spider Could be claimed to be the best Spider roll any where, and the newest addition to the USUAL the Ozzy—oh my, it’s soooo goood! The Ozzy is crab draped on top spicy tuna, topped with sliced fresh Jalapenos that give the flavor without too much heat—simply scrumptious!
On the Nigiri side of things—Salmon sushi is my favorite and always a must order—it was fresh and delicious and Hamachi Toro, which I’ve been getting into lately, was as my brother said, “that was the best bite!”
—All was washed down with Asahi and Saki as if there were any doubts…
We were served quickly with a smile by a helpful, knowledgeable server Marisa who did graciously join us for sip of Saki.
As we were leaving I stopped to thank Akiyo, whom didn’t have business cards yet, gave me some chopsticks with her name and my favorite restaurant in SF it’s restoration to excellence. Ken Lowe—great decision, great hire! Thank you!
Special Before and After Props:
Donahue’s Marina Lounge for a pint of Guinness (first bar I was ever in in SF—1994) before hand and All Star donuts after for, you guessed it donuts—one dozen of the prettiest, shiniest, sugariest, delectable… Well, how can you go wrong with sugar covered fried dough?—after a meal of kings! Of course, it’s impossible to actually eat, all the donuts, but the idea isn’t so much to eat all the donuts as it is to taste each and every donut. One bite and move on! There were 3 of us and we did manage to do some donut damage.
