Tips for Trying Omakase

 

Danny Zelouf, president of the New York City-based textile distributor Zelouf International, enjoys exploring world cultures in his free time. A lover of Japanese cuisine, Danny Zelouf favors the omakase meal.

The omakase meal is a Japanese tradition in which the chef selects the dishes presented. The word literally translates to “I trust the chef,” though diners may hear it as a variant of “It's up to you.”

The tradition gives the chef free reign to serve what he or she believes the diners will enjoy. No modifications or substitutions are available, and the tradition assumes that the diners will eat whatever the chef puts in front of them. It is thus not an ideal tradition for those with allergies or food restrictions, nor is it for those who are particularly picky, but the adventurous and open eater often finds himself or herself in the midst of a memorable dining experience.

When one orders omakase, one is essentially asking for the best on the menu. Many chefs who offer omakase will present their finest quality ingredients and most attention-grabbing dishes, and the price does reflect this commitment. Price may range from $50 to $80 per person, though this figure often includes special attention from the chef and even answers to the diner's pressing culinary questions.

Two Underrated Giants Greats That Won Super Bowls

The president of Zelouf International, Danny Zelouf oversees import and design operations for fabric and textiles from company locations in both New York and Los Angeles. Outside his professional life, Danny Zelouf is an avid New York sports fan and follows the Giants of the NFL.

Ottis “O.J.” Anderson was thought to be at the tail-end of his career in 1990 when the Cardinals traded the aging running back to the Giants. At age 34, he rewarded the team’s gamble by amassing more than 1,000 yards and helping the Giants win a championship. Moreover, he would earn MVP honors in Super Bowl XXV, rushing for 102 yards and scoring a touchdown. The fact that he isn’t talked about as more of a factor for the Giants team makes him one of the more underrated players in the team's history.

Chase Blackburn is another all-time underrated Giants player. He spent a total of seven seasons with the team, but found himself out of work in 2011 before the team called him back into service. Ten weeks later, he found himself matched up against Rob Gronkowski, the game's preeminent tight end, in Super Bowl XLVI. Blackburn would make a key interception, out jumping Gronkowski in the process, and the Giants would go on to win the game in the final moments.