There is no other place like Shuko. The Japanese spot, which serves some of the best omakase and kaiseki in New York, has it’s own particular vibe that is unlike any other little corner of the city. A lot has been said about the music (let’s just say a lot more modern than most expensive temples to Japanese gastronomy) but more than that it is a sense of fun that often disappears when in the presence of excellent, high end food.

So I wanted to get a sense of what dish they felt best exemplified the restaurant, and I was not disappointed by the choice. Instead of the sushi they are most known for, the pick was a robata course from their kaiseki menu: the Grilled Gindara Cod. Why cod - one of the most common fish - for a restaurant that revels in finding the most special ingredients? Well because the best possible cod, prepared in the most thoughtful way, can still be the most excellent dish. And that’s the fun part of Shuko.

Blog, Chefs, Food, Interview, Restaurants, VideoAli RosenOctober 29, 2019The DIsh, cod, Japanese, miso, grill, Japan, omakase, kaiseki, New York, restaurantComment

A Sweet Twist on a Corn and Black Bean Salad

I'm such a sucker for this time of year. I was walking around the farmers market on Saturday as though it was the perfect day. Local strawberries are finally out, the weather is beautiful, and my son didn't knock anything over.

So I think one of the best kinds of items is highlighting that freshness without overdoing it. This salad just tastes like the sweet early start of summer. I love a corn and black bean salad but I feel like it's one of those items stuck in a rut - why do they always have to have cilantro and red pepper? I wanted something to change it up.

I like using rice vinegar because it adds a bit of sweetness that marries well with the corn. The rest of it is like a deconstructed pesto - you have the basil and the pine nuts but all the textures are coming through. And it uses one of my favorite strategies for corn, which is grilling it on the stove. Nothing makes summer feel more present than a little bit of char on a piece of corn.

It is simple but still special. It's hearty enough to eat as a meal and will hold up as a side if needed. Get ready for a whole lot of summer content coming your way.

Marinated Short Ribs

I love all the techniques that let a food sit passively and improve itself - pickling, brining and marinating all tend to make things better in my book. Why do more work when you can just let the liquid do it for you? Short ribs are particularly great for this, and Cote seems to have it down to a science.

Food, Recipe, VideoAli RosenAugust 29, 2017marinade, short ribs, beef, dinner, grillComment

Tomato and Roasted Zucchini Salad

It's hard to draw the line between a salad and a vegetable side dish sometimes, but I think that middle ground is actually a pretty great spot. There's no reason why raw vegetables can't marry with cooked. And this time of year I am partial to also combining the best of summer: raw tomatoes with anything charred from a grill or broiler. So this 'salad' accomplishes it all.

Honey Glazed Grilled Beef

Ali RosenMarch 29, 2015grill, beef, honey, marinadeComment

How to Grill Oysters

FoodAli RosenJanuary 21, 2015oysters, grillComment

The Newest:

The Maple Inn