Not all fine dining requires pre or post-eating.

May 12th 2009 commemorates the third year of when the Tsu-man and I took the leap to DINK-dom. Every year, we have made it a tradition to have the Omakase dinner at Tojo's on Broadway as part of our celebration. Every year, the chef never fails to impress. Going to Tojo's means braving not knowing what you're having for dinner and not knowing how much you're going to pay for afterwards. The ultimate thrill, which we keep getting told is illegal in North America, would be to dine on fugu, aka the poisonous blowfish. Then dinner would really mean braving not knowing if you will leave alive or in a body bag.

Last night's degustation didn't disappoint at all.

1. Tako sashimi - In a creamy soy, garlic, ginger-like sauce. When asked, all Chef Tojo would say is that it wasn't something you could get at the Safeway aisle!
2. Shiitake mushrooms and sugar snap peas in broth - Softest shiitakes ever.
3. Baked sea urchin - Better than any bisque I'd ever had. And it had scallops to boot!
4. King crab hand roll - The Tsu-man and I are still trying to figure out what the crunch at the end was.
5. Crab, scallop, salmon, and sweet shrimp rolled in an egg crepe - All the fabulous fish, none of the rice.
6. Red snapper nigiri - Chef Tojo said, it is prized for the crunch factor. This was my least favorite. Probably because the crunch almost caused me to choke.
7. Toro nigiri - I have always been a fan of the fatty tuna. I think the Tsu-man finally had a toro epiphany last night.
8. Red snapper cheek stuffed with vegetables -Red snapper redeemed. It is fantastic cooked. Perhaps I may need more chewing practice to eat it raw.
9. Baked, smoked sablefish in broth - This dish was particularly outstanding. I will be asking for it everytime we go to Tojo's.
10. Barbecued eel and cucumber inside-out, topped with strips of tuna, salmon, spinach and egg
11. Green tea creme brulee with a sesame crisp - This has sent me into experimentation mode. How do you infuse a creme brulee with green tea?!

We definitely left full and happy. And I didn't even think about how that meal could have gotten me a pair of Manolos!