When we go out for sushi with friends we usually order as a group and order a couple of specialty rolls for the table at a time, sometimes making several orders through the evening as time and appetites allow. The idea is manifold: not to over-order food, to spread out food delivery as we drink sake and socialize, to “pipeline” work for the chefs who we understand have other tables to service, and finally because sushi is best when it’s fresh so why order it all up front tonlet it get dry and get manky while we get around to it?
Almost as an afterthought, but also how is the fish tonight? Several smaller orders let us explore what’s “on” and what’s “off” this evening, and modify pur ordering strategy.
The question comes up because our server (a delightful young lady who was all to happy to “spill tea” with us) let us know the chef was annoyed our table was making multiple orders. Yes they were a bit busy, but it’s not like there was a line at the door either.
What say you? Was Chef jumped up his own ass tonight, or were we egregiously out of line ordering food over a couple of rounds?
I’ve actually been to sushi restaurants where you pay per person and the entire menu is all you can eat. The waiter leaves a menu with you and checks on you periodically so you can order a roll or two per person at a time. We were vacationing in Florida and apparently it’s a relatively common thing down there.
It’s probably easier on a sushi chef too to stagger orders instead of doing them all at once, cause they’ll have to be put together and rolled up one after another anyways. It’s not like a burger joint where you can toss multiple orders on the grill or in the deep fryer at once and then toss all of the ingredients loosely onto plates.