With the combination of the record heat and later sunsets due to daylight savings time, we were looking for a nice place for sort of an “happy hour” with a covered patio for JJ. Tanuki came to mind as we hadn’t been there in about a year. So, we headed on out, arriving just as the clock struck 5 , and got one of the treasured parking spots right at the door of the restaurant.
We were quickly seated on the patio and a bowl of H2O was quickly brought out for JJ!
Based on our previous visits, we were pretty sure of what to order and decided to also try the vegetable tempura.
The Wagyu Tataki Ponzu, now priced at $20, was different from what we’d had previously.
It was a leaner cut of meat, at bit chewier, and as you can see, not as marbled. It was also cut a bit thicker, though still quite beefy in flavor, with the daikon oroshi adding the nice pungent “bite”. The nice, almost refreshing taste of the citrusy-savory-soy ponzu sauce was really good on this warm day.
The Toro Wasa ($12) was also decent.
If you understand that it’s leaner chutoro, you’ll do fine. The wasabi “mix”; I’m certain it’s not straight up wasabi does the sinus clearing work…….for some reason, I really enjoyed the brightness the shiso brought to the dish on this day.
They did have Hamachi Kama ($20) on this day.
Which was quite moist, crisp skin and even better than what we’d had before!
And of course…..
We now have a “Kama Psycho” in the house hold. So he got the skin, which he loves.
I was wanting that Kakiage that we’d had all those years ago, but they no longer have it; so we went with the Vegetable Tempura ($15). This didn’t quite do it for us.
The onions and shisho leaves were quite good. I’m thinking it’s because Tanuki doesn’t seem to fry the veggies for very long and the carrots, zucchini, andespecially the sweet potato was super hard and almost raw.
We did enjoy ourselves; though we did accept that it was going to be pricey, even without drinks, over $60. Still, it was a nice early evening out to beat the heat.
Tanuki
4191 Adams Ave.
San Diego, CA 92116
Current Hours:
Monday 5pm – 9pm
Tues – Thurs 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm
Friday 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm
Saturday 5pm – 10pm
Closed on Sunday
Elle, I know you were going to check Tanuki out. Wondering if you ever made it?
learning to love all the good stuff:)
He does indeed love the good stuff Kat!