IZANAMI

Food, Food.......Fabulous Food!

Once we collected ourselves after our spa experience, we walked over to the on site restaurant, Izanami, for some Japanese izakaya (small plates). There were so many delicious options on the menu, we decided to go for the Omakase Tasting Menu and the Omakase Flight sake tasting menu. Go here to check out the menu: https://tenthousandwaves.com/food/menus 

There were a few things we had that were not on the menu as the chef has the freedom to create anything he wants to give you from fresh ingredients that are available to him on a daily basis.

Tofu and sticky rice

 This was super delicious. Homemade tofu, sticky rice, garlic chili sauce, burdock root, carrots, sesame soy dressing.

Omakase Flight Sake Tasting

 The great thing about tasting this many is you can really tell the difference between them and how they pair with the food.

Monk Fish Liver

 I'm sure lots of you are saying, EWE! Believe it or not, this is really delicious. It tastes just like the ocean. It's very light and fresh - served with grated pickled daikon radish and cucumber/seaweed salad

Ahi Tuna Roll and Brussel Sprouts

 The tuna roll was gently seared and rolled in wasabi and crushed pistachios. The brussel sprouts were our favorite thing. They are crispy grilled with house sweet chili sauce and bonito flakes on top. I will most certainly be trying to make this when I get home. YUM!

Crab and Shrimp Salad with Crispy Root Chips

Comfort food at its best. 

 Grilled Shrimp Skewers

....with Japanese aoli

 Grilled Halibut Collar

 This halibut was cooked to perfection. It was marinated in the most delicious secret sauce. Served with daikon.

 House made Coconut Sorbet and Hazelnut Truffle

 The chef just knew the perfect way to end this meal.......the dark chocolate hazelnut truffle was covered in grated coconut. It just melted away in our mouths.

One architectural note:

 

All of the architecture here at the spa is very Japanese (except for the adobe used for the lodging buildings). I was taken by the framing of the ceiling in the restaurant. Notice they used entire tree trunks for the cross bracing, no matter if they had a bend in them or not. Notice also the use of the pegs between the cross braces and all of the counterbalance stuff going on. We noticed that they have an impressive wood shop here at the spa. We were told they do all of their own woodworking and building. Really impressive. 

We both would highly recommend a visit to Ten Thousand Waves. You won't regret it.

Next Stop, Winslow, Arizona.