One New York restaurant has all the tastes of Japan, but to get there, you need to solve the cipher

Commodore Perry's 1853 voyage to Asia aboard the USS Susquehanna was well documented. However, few people know about his companion Mr. Moto, a gourmet and art connoisseur who traveled with him. At least that's the story that sells Office of Mr. Moto (his namesake is a fictional character created by the restaurant team). A new New York restaurant, omakase, has come up with a story that brings a deeper element of storytelling. Robb report.

Mr. Moto's life will guide your journey, just as the sushi chefs behind the counter will guide your meal.

But in order to get into the restaurant, you will need to decipher the cipher sent to you before booking a table. This code, entered on the pin pad inside the mailbox outside, will allow you to enter the restaurant. Inside you will be met by the owner and taken to the gallery or cashier. The first is an 8-seat room where a 23-course menu is served. And the second is a 6-seat sushi counter offering 21 dishes.

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At any of these establishments, chef Toshio Matsuoka's $185 menu includes high-quality fish. It comes from the Toyosu Fish Market in Japan. Although the dishes will change depending on the time of year, you can find marinated bluefin tuna, stewed conger eel, whitefish gizzard and Japanese sea bream in kelp. At the Gallery, the omakase menu will be complemented by a uni tasting flight and a welcome drink (there are also two pairs of drinks, including wine and sake, priced at $75 and $115).

The format of the tasting involves a journey through different centuries of Japanese cuisine.

First you will try oshizushi (traditional pressed sushi from the 18th century), then nigirizushi from the XNUMXth century. Subsequent dishes will focus on more modern preparations and ingredients such as uni and temaki.

After the meal, you can linger in the library. There you can enjoy a drink while listening to Mr. Moto's jazz collection. The cozy space is decorated with leather furniture, antiques and even a Yamaha piano. Before leaving, you will receive another cipher. If you manage to solve it, you will receive perks such as early access to table reservations and free sake.

The restaurant will open on February 1st. From Wednesday to Sunday, at 18:00 and 20:30 there will be two sessions.