Walk sexy and carry a big purse.



Friday, July 23, 2010

"What a great date," my date said, adding some extra cream to a latte at Starbucks. I agreed, taking a sip from my white chocolate mocha, anticipating the lovely flavor meld from my first bite of pumpkin bread.
I had dressed to impress - a long, multi-print top in pink, purple, gold, turquoise, black and white, over blue jean capri leggings with ruched cuffs, a black crochet shrug and maize peeptoe slingback heels.
We rode in my date's beautiful white Mercedes to Sushi 101 off Providence Road in south Charlotte/Ballantyne to start off the evening. I don't think I've ever ridden in a Mercedes before, and the smooth ride was quite a luxury compared to the bumps and road noise of my cute and reliable, if not so luxurious, Civic.
The sushi menu always overwhelms me. I want to make the perfect choice, and the "fishier" offerings always daunt me, compared to the standard crab, shrimp and avocado rolls.
I wanted to try something new, and opted for a "Professor Vu Roll." Shrimp tempura (fried shrimp) with cream cheese, topped with tuna, crab and scallions. The tuna is what scared me. I also chose unagi, or eel. Eel? Yes, it came highly recommended from some sushi experts but I had always been afraid to try it before.
I also had a cucumber salad - sliced cucumber with crab salad in a delicious, light soy viniagrette.
My date shared with me a spicy tuna roll, and tried the unagi.
Sushi is like art on a plate to me. I love the colors - the pink of the seafood, green from the avocado and the bright orange or red pop of fish roe the color of candy. The sushi I chose this time didn't come rolled in roe, which I missed. I love the texture of the fish eggs, and the "pop" they make as I chew. It feels exotic.
But I loved each bite tonight, and was so proud of myself for trying the tuna and unagi. One of the chefs offered to let us try a bite of octopus, but I was stuffed to the gills (ha ha) already. Maybe next time.
With our overpriced coffees in hand, we headed back to Lancaster. I said goodbye to my date under the yellow moon.
Yes, Joli, we should do girl's night more often.

8 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a good time. You're braver than I am, eating eel. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. It was very good. And of course, the tuna is dark pink and a little scary, but it was delicious.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unagi is my favorite. Glad you had fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I might, in a moment of sake-induced madness, try unagi, and I have tried octopus once or twice --- but I will NEVER try sea urchin unless someonne is pointing a loaded gun at me.
    Sounds like a fun date!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You and Misty both told me to try the unagi, Heather. And I really liked it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the look of sushi too, but since I don't eat seafood I'm limited. I LOVE the vibrancy of the orange fish roe, and that lovely dark red Ahi Tuna.

    Opening yourself up and trying something new is good, even if it is a tiny bit of eel.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Glad you tried the unagi. I love it, octopus, ahi tuna, but I DO NOT like uni (sea urchin). I'll have to try that sushi place one of these days. Loved your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It was very reasonable in price and the service was good. My dad will try anything and he once tried the uni and he said he regretted it!

    ReplyDelete