Some say the Japanese diet is the “right way” to eat. With a focus on fresh, seasonal, vegetable-heavy, and light meals, they might be on to something… Located in the Hill Country Galleria, Tadashi, meaning “the right way,” has taken this concept and applied it to an extensive and authentic Japanese menu that focuses on the best ingredients they can find. Under the helm of Executive Chef Sun Il they focus on exciting flavors and unique offerings, choosing only the freshest seasonal fish to showcase at Tadashi. A 20 year restaurant veteran, his knife skills are that of a true artist. Tadashi fills its menu with authentic Japanese staples as well as classic sushi-bar favorites made with high quality ingredients. We sat down with owner Shawn McLain to talk sushi and sake, and sample a selection of their favorite dishes. We are excited to call Tadashi this week’s Do512 Restaurant of the Week!
A veteran of Izumi Sushi in Westlake, Shawn and his partners wanted to bring a high-end sushi establishment, that feels right at home in the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Caves. Having lived near Tokyo for over 3 years, Shawn got a chance to embrace the healthy and clean Japanese lifestyle first-hand. Because of this, Tadashi sources the best fish they can find. Using all wild and line-caught fish from Hawaii, Japan, Alaska and Australia, they fly their product in 2-3 times a week from Japanese fish markets, namely the Tsukiji Market, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world.
Ever have live fish before? This is the place to get it! Live scallops and clams are sliced and prepared in a manner that compliments their fresh taste. Toro Tartare and Bluefin Belly are executed beautifully with unique twists .
This menu entails some of the freshest nigiri and sashimi in the Austin area. For having such an extensive and unique menu, their staff knowledge is unreal, with a deep familiarity of the fishes and the sake’s that pair with them best. Along with a selection of high quality cooked dishes, with everything prepared in house, we couldn’t wait to sample their menu!
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The first dish we tried was their ‘Wild Game Gyoza’. Paper thin dumplings filled with an exotic mix of bison, elk, and wild boar. Known for their more gamey flavor, the game meats were mellowed out with cabbage, garlic and green onion and delicately pan fried til crispy. A great way to start a meal.
Wild Game Gyoza
Next came the fantastic starter, ‘Tuna with Goat Cheese’. Diced big eye tuna was playfully paired with goat cheese that was mellowed with pumpkin seed oil, miso cream, and crunchy Okinawa yam. We wanted to lick the plate clean after finishing this unique dish.
Tuna with Goat Cheese
With the vast selection of sashimi and nigiri, Omakase (a Japanese phrase that means “I’ll leave it to you”) might be the best route at Tadashi. With the Omakase menu changing daily based on what ingredients are the freshest and in season, it might be best to leave it to Chef Sun’s very skilled hands. We opted to sample a couple of their great rolls. The ‘Surf and Turf’ brought the classic steakhouse combo to life in sushi form. Shrimp tempura, krab salad, jalapenos, were topped with seared ribeye roasted garlic and a berry chipotle sauce, Texas in a roll.
Surf and Turf
Want a lighter roll this summer? Our favorite dish of the night was the “Hot Spring”, kanikama, avocado, tuna, salmon, shrimp, daikon, spring mix wrapped with rice paper and topped with chili and ponzu sauce. This was such a refreshing entrée that we didn’t feel one bit guilty about the sinful dessert that was to come…
Hot Spring
The ‘Japanese Cobbler’ was too legit. Caramelized asian pear, fuji apples, and lychee were topped with a homemade graham cracker crumble and served with a lychee reduction and a velvety plum ice cream.
Japanese Cobbler
Tadashi takes great pride in their Japanese beer and sake menu, we were honored to get a chance to sample and learn about their offerings. They are launching a new beer menu featuring some great Japanese import bottles like white ales and hefeweizen from Japanese brewer Hitachino. Tadash boasts and extensive sake lists that varies from 18 to 30 selections, ranging from daiginjo being on the more premium end and having additional distilled alcohol added, to junmai being brewed only with rice and having no additional alcohol in it. Shawn brought out 4 for us to try, we highly recommend all of them and can’t wait to get back and sample even more!
From left to right, we got a chance to try the:
Kubota- grape flavor with ripe pear and vanilla notes
Wakatake – creamy with a light body and almond and fruit finish
Otokoyama- a very dry option
Joto- a rich, creamy and unfiltered selection
For even more of a reason to go, the offer a great happy hour Monday thru Friday from 3-6pm, take advantage of their ½ off sushi and sake boxes. We hear their lunch special bento boxes aren’t to be missed, either!
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Take the scenic drive to the Hill Country Galleria this summer, grab a seat on their patio or nestle up to Tadashi’s bar where Chef Sun shows off his trusty collection of Yoshihiro cutlery, and broaden your sushi palate to include some of the freshest fish around. Enter to win a $30 gift card on Do512!
http://home.tadashiaustin.com/
-- Contributed by Drew Nordstrom --
