An izakaya is a type of informal Japanese gastropub and UNI, located in The Eliot Hotel in Boston, MA, is just that. It’s a restaurant where the dishes are impeccably plated, Biggie playing over the sound system and where you get a spoonful of uni, caviar, and quail egg and it blows your mind.

I recently stopped by for lunch and documented each crazy beautiful bite. It’s a wild ride of flavors that’s hard to explain, but what I can say is that you should head to UNI immediately and experience it all for yourself.

Smoked UNI Spoon

with osetra caviar, quail egg yolk & yuzu

Lubina (Spanish Sea Bass) Sashimi

with green chermoula, sultanas & preserved lemon gremolata

Tuna Tartar

with mortadella, peanut satay & cherry

Spicy Tuna & Fois Gras Tataki

with aji amarillo, strawberry & black walnut

Chef’s Selection of Nigiri

Hamachi Yellowtail with ponzu powder, pickled chili,
Sake Salmon with beet, gochujang, &
Roasted Carrot with vadouvan crème fraiche, sudachi

Corn Cacio e Pepe Dumplings

with huitlacoche & ricotta

Korean Ricecakes

with kalbi oxtail, kimchee butter & gremolata

Coconut Klondike

with almond, coconut jam & lime

A million thank yous to UNI and Chef Tony Messina for hosting me! If you’re interested in experiencing UNI for yourself, visit http://uni-boston.com/. All opinions and images are my own. And if you’re interested in reading more about my food adventures, head over to the Food section.