Many years ago I was visiting with Bill Stockland, an artist rep and friend of mine.  We had toured his office and then found ourselves in the portfolio room where I looked over the work of Walter Iooss.  As expected there were multiple books of his, but I took particular interest in one that he had written entries in.  I don’t remember if they were notes from photoshoots, or just a sort of creative journal, but what I do remember is his particular interest in sushi.

Later that evening I sat with a friend of mine at Nobu Sushi (NY).  We washed down our final course with a dry white wine (I usually don’t drink red with sushi, sorry if this is a faux pas) and discussed a photoshoot that I had in Dallas the following week…..  Six days later I would sit in a restaurant in Dallas, a plate of Toro and Uni sashimi in front of me.  I was by myself, and out of the loneliness that is travel, I decided to text my assistant of many years.  Ironically he was just ordering his first set of tuna rolls (sushi novice) and was toying the idea of shrimp tempura roll.

Be it AD’s, CD’s, AP’s, Reps, or other photographers, I have yet to find someone in the photo world that doesn’t enjoy a little wasabi laced soy sauce dip of fresh fish.  With too much travel under my belt, I have been fortunate to enjoy many a sushi outing, and figured I would toss out a few picks…

  • Nobu – Now this one is a bit cliche and perhaps a little chainish for my tastes, but if you are ever in the mood for an experience with friends, it will deliver.  Unfortunately, not all of them are created equal.  The Manhattan (not Nobu Next Door) and Malibu one’s are best, and (in my opinion) the Las Vegas and West Hollywood ones should be avoided.
  • Miku – This one is located in Vancouver, CA. and is a popular place amongst the Hollywood productions that are being filmed up north. While the dishes and preparations are unique, what makes this place great is how fresh the fish is. If you head to Vancouver anytime soon, hit it up and order oysters.
  • Takashi – Found by accident, this little restaurant resides in Salt Lake City, and makes for a great “after rap” dinner, especially if the talent wasn’t what you and the AD expected (I wish I didn’t know this one from experience).  With many creative sashimi plates, this place was a diamond in the rough.  Unfortunately the saki bottles were very well priced, so both myself and the AD that was with me don’t remember much more about the food.
  • Nobuo at the Teeter House – There is no place on this Earth that is better (sorry for the grand claim, but it’s true).  Located in a hundred year old house in Phoenix, this place is truly hard to put into mere words.  It’s greatest asset is its chef, Nobuo Fukuda, winner of a 2007 James Beard award and a good friend.  With the fish being delivered from around the world daily, you can expect the rarest of line caught fish including Lion Fish (poisonous, but not the Puffer Fish that most people think of, that is Fugu).  With a mixologist that visits the local market daily the drinks are as unique as the dishes……. Warning, do not plan on a short dine, and be prepared to spend a few hundred.