snackspot: masa - go for the blow

If a trip to Masayoshi Takayama's super-star sushi counter Masa is on your holiday wish list, you'll need to save some extra yen for the trip. Recently the price went up to $400 per person (from $350) for the omakase tasting menu - beverage, tip and tax not included. Note that, in spite of the price, now is the time to go because fish is best in the colder months. It's also the beginning of the season for that ultra-rare wintertime delicacy, and I don't mean white truffles (yawn). Fugu, known to gaijin as blow fish, is in season now until February.

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In other Masa news, sources say the shogun was recently scouting in London. He's also been out in Las Vegas on a similar mission. It looks like 2007 may see an expansion of Bar Masa (the less-expensive sushi and small plate bar concept) beyond the mall. It'll be interesting to see how multiple units work in a practical sense, because Masa-san is the only one who has the top-secret rice recipe. He, and he alone, makes the rice.