01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
One diner remembered the seared returning bonito, served with salt rather than soy sauce. It also appears on the menu as seared returning bonito with salt, making it a tempting small plate to start with before moving on to nigiri. The same diner ordered marinated tuna, whose yuzu fragrance added a bright note. It is another appealing choice when selecting nigiri one piece at a time.
Nigiri at Osushi Isobe can be ordered by the piece. The menu lists horse mackerel and sardine for 110 yen, along with lean fresh bluefin tuna for 330 yen and medium-fatty tuna for 770 yen. For a broader taste, there is also a chef’s six-piece nigiri selection for 2,200 yen. One diner enjoyed the selection’s varied seasonings on its middle three pieces, as well as a piece of fresh sea urchin nigiri.
Between pieces of nigiri, the small plates include namerō, savoury steamed egg custard and freshly rolled dashi omelette. Pairing a few of these with the modest, individually ordered pieces of sushi makes for an unhurried meal with drinks. The sake list includes Hidaka mi Super-Dry Junmai, described as richly flavoured and dry, with seafood in mind, and the light, gently sparkling Kaze no Mori ALPHA Junmai Nama Sake. For a non-alcoholic option, there is house-made ginger ale or non-alcoholic plum wine.
The restaurant is also described as suitable for dining alone, and one diner enjoyed sushi at the counter by themselves. In the calm setting, it would be easy to begin with a small plate and finish with a few favourite pieces of nigiri.
