Once, on a first date in their original location off North MoPac, we may or may not have mistaken their oshibori (warm towel) as a complimentary facial, only to be gently guided by the angelic server to cleanse our hands before dinner. This is the kind of classy operation that is Musashino, which opened in 1993 and has become the origin story of several local superstars: Tyson Cole of Uchi/Uchiko/Loro; Kazo Fukumoto of his eponymous restaurant; Ramen Tatsu-ya’s owners/chefs Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto. The Tokyo-style restaurant, now in the former Fino spot in West Campus, is known for creating some of the most elegant pieces of Edomae-style sushi this side of Japan. In addition to an impossibly fresh, stunning traditional menu, they offer a wide assortment of modern twists, and an omakase option. After spending so much time in loungewear at home, we cannot think of a better reason to dust off the jacket and black dress than dining at this world-class establishment.
This article appears in First Plates 2021 (Supplement) and First Plates 2021.