Perfect sushi

We ran the above trailer from the award-winning film by David Gelb entitled, "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" some nine months ago (Musings, April 3, 2012).

The combination of Beethoven's music and the most exquisite culinary delicacy in the world is just perfect -- as I was again reminded when my son Christopher recently sent me the link to the same trailer, a guilty pleasure which I indulged yet again.

I have yet to see the movie. Hard to understand, I know. A little more exploration on the Internet has simply whetted the appetite for what I should call "I Dream of Jiro's Sushi":


Just imagine: a fifteen course dinner in twenty minutes, served one piece at a time, made to perfection, ingredient, technique, timing. Every item is served at the right time and temperature and stage in its preparation, and in the correct order, so that the flavors complement one another and don't detract.

Anthony Bourdain says at one point, "I'm ready to die now." I can remember thinking just that myself on occasion. It can be just that good. You can't touch this, Fr. Z.

Update: Just found the film on Amazon, where Prime members can stream it for free!

Two thumbs up

Pho 777

Pho, pronounced "fuh" in Vietamese, is a traditional Vientamese noodle soup dish, typically served as a bowl of white rice noodles in clear beef broth, with thin cuts of beef (steak, fatty flank, lean flank, brisket). Variations include meatballs, fish, chicken or chicken organ meats.

If you like Asian noodle dishes, or if you just like a hot bowl of noodle soup and would like to try something a bit more interesting than Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup, you owe it to yourself to try Pho.

If you live in or near Catawba County, NC, count your lucky stars: you will be pleased to know that right in your back yard you have what is probably the best Pho restaurant in North Carolina -- and possibly in the United States. It's called Pho 777 and is located in a strip of modest-looking stores on the North side of HWY 70 (Conover Blvd W.) between the intersections of Hwy 321 S. and Hwy 16 (not to be confused with Saigon Garden, just West of the 321 intersection).

Pho 777 has a clean, lovely interior, and is run by a wonderful, friendly Vietnamese family from New Jersey whose cullinary artistry deserves your support and will probably reduce you to delerious ecstasy. The staff speak English and will gladly help walk you through your menu options. Soups come in three sizes. Don't order the largest unless you plan to spend the next three hours trying to down a horse's portion. As far as varieties, my favorite is the chicken pho soup (without organ meats). Be sure to sample one or more of their appetizers (I recommend the spring rolls) and to try some of their Asian beers.

Contact information:

Pho 777 Vietnamese Cuisine
434 Conover Blvd W Conover NC 28613
Tel. (828) 466-2577

Tell them that Isserman and Blosser sent you.

Japanese Sushi Documentary

As much as I love sushi, it's a wonder I didn't hear about this Japanese Sushi Documentary before visiting Bill Cork's blog, where he posted a link (Built on a Rock, March 14, 2007). It's in Japanese with English subtitles, informative, and peppered with often outlandish tongue-in-cheek humor, especially for anyone who understands Japanese. Delightful!