Odam Revisits Japan with Kyoten; Chronicle Rounds Up Corazon’s Food Shops

The Statesman’s Matthew Odam revisited sushi trailer Kyoten to satisfy his Japanese food craving after returning from a trip to Japan. He spoke to owner and chef Otto Phan, who wants to open a brick and mortar restaurant next year, about the importance of creating simple and strong flavors through properly prepared fish and rice. This balance is shown through Phan’s chirashi bowl, according to Odam:

The chirashi bowl represents Kyoten’s ultimate expression of flavorful rice and well-executed fish. At $26, it’s one of the most expensive items served from any trailer in town. It’s also one of the best. The viscous minerality of a soft-poached egg rests atop a fluffy bed of rice fanned and colored with a lush assortment of Kyoten’s greatest hits: pale and refreshing amberjack, deep maroon soy-marinated albacore, shiny Japanese mackerel, and a pointillist nest of vermilion salmon roe. It’s a refined restaurant-quality meal served on a picnic bench.

Over at The Chronicle, Virginia B. Wood took a look at the new restaurants and stores already open at the Corazon apartment complex along East Sixth Street. There’s The Bee Grocery with Vietnamese deli items and pastries, the beautifully decadent chocolates from Maggie Louise Confections, and Spartan Pizza’s dough and queso. Then there’s Gelateria Gemelli, where the seasonal gelati, coffee, and cocktails make for a perfect combination:

On one of our recent visits, we were wowed by the lovely floral notes in the orange cardamom and found that the combination of minty fernet with shavings of Valrhona dark chocolate created a gustatory love story. Espresso fans should try an affogato (drowned gelato) made with a scoop of the luxurious Valrhona dark chocolate gelato, or go for a truly intense treat and pour the espresso shot over a scoop of the Vietnamese coffee.

THE BLOGS: South Austin Foodie wasn’t pleased with the service at Olamaie; Forks Up enjoyed the seafood offerings at Mongers Market and Kitchen; The Smoking Ho checked out the Houston BBQ Festival this past weekend; and Mike Sutter’s taco odyssey continues with Tacaso El Amigo, Casa Arandinas, and more.