Back in January we announced our theme for the 2019 Dinner on a Pier on July 18: Izakaya.
An Izakaya is a Japanese tavern. It’s a place to drink and order a variety of dishes to share with a group of friends.
Izakaya showcases a wide variety of menu items at a slow pace. Unlike other Japanese styles of eating, food items are usually shared by everyone at the table, similar to Spanish tapas.
In a traditional Izakaya, food is normally ordered slowly over several courses rather than all at once. The kitchen will serve the food when it is ready rather than in the formal courses of Western restaurants.
An Izakaya menu is diverse and invites you to experience something new. This acted as our guide in creating a fun and unique menu for you to enjoy.
In addition to a massive, multi-course meal, we’ll also be serving up Yakitori.
“What is Yakitori,” you ask? Yakitori is a Japanese type of skewered meat. It’s preparation involves skewering the meat with kushi, a type of skewer typically made of steel, bamboo, or similar materials. They are then grilled over a charcoal fire. During or after cooking, the meat is typically seasoned with tare sauce or salt.
Chef Johnny Oran and his kitchen staff will be grilling Yakitori items throughout the night and sending items out as they finish, much like the way it is done in traditional Yakitori restaurants. Guests will be able to watch the Yakitori being grilled and have the aromas waft throughout the long table.
Without making you read much more, here is the menu for the 2019 Dinner on a Pier:
YAKATORI
(Charcoal Grilled Skewered Items)
Negima (Spring onion, Chicken, Nikiri)
Mirin marinated ribeye
King oysters
Shisito peppers
Yuzukosho eggplant
Miso tofu
Pork belly with tare
Tsukemono
Assorted Japanese-inspired pickles using Essex County produce
COURSES
Tuna Sashimi
Ocean Wise Albacore tuna, Sudachi pickled nectarines, elderflower, wasabi, shiso
Okonomiyaki (Osaka Style Savory Pancake)
Cabbage, greenonion, aonori, yuzu mayo, otafuku sauce, katsuobushi, silgochu
Tokoyaki (Octopus Croquettes)
Octopus, tempura vegetables, pickled ginger, kewpie mayo, bonito
Charred Edamame
Smoked butter, ponzu, sansho pepper
Corn Chawanmushi (savory egg custard)
Roasted corn, confit tomato, scallion, shitake, roe
Sake Kasu Glazed Salmon
Charcoal grilled salmon, orange dashi braised bok choy
Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
Ginger-scallion marinade, dragon sauce, avocado, fresh herbs, pickled onions, sesame
Seasonal Tempura Vegetables
Black garlic aioli, shichimi togarashi
Miso Glazed Charred Carrots
Kimchi furikake, apple/umeboshi puree, goma sauce
Crunchy Ramen Salad
Seasonal greens, persimmon, peanuts, mixed herbs, dried ramen, shaved vegetables, heirloom tomato, soy brown butter vinaigrette
Matcha Cheesecake
Made with fresh farmers cheese red bean puree, slow roasted strawberries, white chocolate crunch
Available spots for the dinner are running low, so we encourage you to purchase your spot now. Tickets are $165 per person.
Please note that the menu is subject to change.
Also, if you absolutely love Dinner on a Pier, please vote for us as the best Unique Food Event in Windsor Essex in the Best of Windsor Essex awards.
