Gochi, Gochi, Gochi Coo

Our friend L invited us to go to Gochi with her on Saturday night. We had 2 wait to weeks for this event because you have to make a reservation in advance. The reservation was originally for 6 people...but it ended up being J, L, and me. Oh well...it was still a nice experience. Gochi's tag line is Japanese fusion tapas and that's what it basically is. All the dishes range between $6-$14. Nothing was overpriced at all. When you get to the restaurant, you wouldn't even think twice that such a nice place exists in such a dumpy strip mall...but I've been fooled before (refer to Bleu Ginger restaurant which is also in a strip mall). Once you get over the fact that the restaurant is in a strip mall and you enter the restaurant -- it's a whole new ball game. We were seated in the dining room with the raised platform where we had to sit shoeless in tatami-style seating. This was very interesting indeed. This is the first time I've been somewhere that you are required to take your shoes off. It was neat.

According to an article I found, Gochi is Japanese slang for "good food." -- In my opinion - very true. It is also a globally inspired izakaya restaurant -- meaning these types of restaurants serve small, elegant plates of grilled and fried food (just like tapas plates you get at Spanish restaurants.) Since Gochi claims to be Japanes fusion tapas (there are some hints of French and Korean inspired plates), we decided to try a little of everything.

Since Gochi doesn't provide their menu online...I will have to remember what we ordered from my memory. We had:

• Crab Croquettes - Cream cheese and crab quickly fast fried in a batter
• Steamed Cod with a plum soy sauce
• Chicken thighs chopped and topped with a house teriyaki sauce
• Shrimp balls in a broth
• Pork and Tofu Clay Pot (a traditional style of Japanese cooking, ingredients cooked in a clay pot, when the waiter brings it out, they have to mix it up and dish it out for the patrons)

We were all pleased with our options. We got plenty of food and when we left there, we didn't feel overly stuffed. It'd be fun to go there again with a bigger group -- that way we can order more dishes to share. They have an extensive menu offering some simple dishes, but at the same time some eclectic dishes (like pork innards, cow tongue....)

I definitely will go there again...except I might ask to sit at a table next time instead of on the tatami mats. I need my back support.