Lamazou

This was initially intended to be a post about several more-special-than-your-average-deli delis, but I realized I had more-rambling-than-your-average-blurb to say about each. Without further delay, it is time to discuss the first of the few: Lamazou and all its amazingness.

Lamazou used to present itself as a cheese shop - and it is. With a rumored cheese cave in the basement and a display case full of camembert, epoisse, comte, robiola, cheddar, reblochon, brie, smoked gouda, manchego, herbed goat, gorgonzola dolce, vacherain, stilton, havarti, and so much more, it certainly covers the cheese spectrum. However, as indicated by Lamazou's relatively new sign out front, there is more to this gem than a lactose intolerant's nightmare. It now additionally and appropriately advertises itself with words like "sandwiches," "catering," and "gift basket."

For starters, there's the meat. A refrigerated case behind the cheese display houses a large enough assortment to slake your thirst for various cured proteins for years to come. From spicy sopressata to garlic sausage, serrano ham to proscuitto di parma, mortadella to genoa salami, roast beef to bresaola, french ham to chorizo, there's something for every taste. More of a poultry fan? They offer honey turkey, roast turkey, smoked turkey, grilled chicken, and buffalo chicken.

"Yeah, but I can get a turkey sandwich anywhere," you say.
"True, but how about smoked duck breast? Venison pate? Truffle liver mousse?" I retort.
"Ew," you say.
"I just meant they have more than your typical corner bodega. Feel free to order whatever makes you happy," I explain.
"I see. Let's never fight again," you say. And we lived happily ever after.

Beyond the cheese and meat, Lamazou also offers salads, Mediterranean selections (such as tabbouli, humus, babaghannouj, and stuffed grape leaves), grilled vegetables, marinated vegetables, cole slaw, tuna fish, smoked salmon, and egg salad laced with strong roquefort (Something that is better to know beforehand than to be surprised by after the first bite. I promise).

All of the above options may be combined in whatever manner you see fit to make hearty sandwiches on a variety of freshly baked breads (including baguettes, ciabatta, pumpernickel rolls, multi-grain rolls, sliced rye, and semolina) with or without dressings, garnish, or condiments (such as horseradish, cornichons, pesto, or simply lettuce and tomato). Suggestions of well-crafted Lamazou sandwiches may be found on Lamazou's website, and they (as well as any other sandwich you create) may be ordered as a half ($4.90-$5.95) or whole ($7.75-$9.99) portion. Lunch specials are offered from 11:00am to 3:00pm, which include soup (selection changes daily) and a sandwich. Grab a Pellegrino from the refrigerator, a box of dried apricots near the register, and don't be surprised when your coworkers ask, "Wheredja get that?" (I don't know why they're asking so inarticulately either).

Maybe you are not interested in a vast cheese selection, meats from around the world, or enough vegetarian side dishes to keep your crunchy visitor from San Francisco sated. Maybe you would like some imported goodies to remind you of your trip to London (Hob Nobs, Ribena, and Heinz Salad Cream, perhaps), to recreate your favorite Parisian crepe at home (a jar of Nutella, bien sur), or to finish off that antipasti plate you are planning for dinner (tuna stuffed olives should do the trick). Lamazou offers shelves upon shelves of gourmet delights from tea to caviar to jam to truffle oil to biscuits.

So stop by this sliver of a storefront when you are hungry for a meal on the go (as there is no seating at Lamazou). Send a thank you to your in-laws after a weekend at their country home (from the gift basket menu or by filling a hand-picked decorative basket hanging over Lamazou's counter with whatever you think they would like best). Drop hints at your next office meeting the boss would prefer a catered Lamazou lunch for her birthday over whatever the jerk from three cubicles over was just suggesting (you know she thinks he's an idiot anyway).

Lamazou - 370 3rd Avenue, between East 26th & East 27th Streets

Mishima

I have three basic tests for sushi restaurants:

1. Is the california roll more than $5.00?
2. Is raw scallop on the menu?
3. Would I eat said scallop here?

Here is the reasoning:

1. Although I do not often order california rolls, they are a solid standard by which to measure overall price reasonableness of a restaurant. If a fluff item of vegetables and imitation crab costs more than $5.00, the legitimate fish will probably hit the wallet harder than necessary.
2. Scallops are not offered everywhere, and they do not need to be. However, when I am looking for something more than a spicy tuna roll, it is lovely to know the establishment provides interesting options. "Interesting" is subjective, and I would agree there are more off-the-beaten-path choices than this particular one; however, this is a basic test, and something as extreme as poisonous blowfish is not required to pique my interest. Also, I think scallops are tasty, so lay off me, bub.
   
3. The availability of raw shellfish does not automatically mean I will eat it. The combination of the restaurant's cleanliness and reputation for quality goes quite far in this regard.

How Mishima measures up:

1. The california roll was $5.00 at last check. I would forgive an increase to $5.50 considering how well the staff has treated me in years past (a free dish of edamame here, rushed delivery there), but I am not trying to give the management any silly ideas.
   
2. Scallops? Got 'em! Other menu items include both lobster miso soup and clam miso soup in addition to the standard tofu miso soup. Appetizers cover basics like shumai, gyoza, and negimaki while also including nasu-shigiyaki (eggplant with miso paste and ground chicken) and goma ae (spinach with sesame sauce). As for entrees, yes, there's sushi and udon noodles, teriyaki and tempura, but there's also una don (boiled eel on rice) and, at times, hamachi kama (which is Japanese for "yellowtail collar" and probably also for "crazy delicious").
3. Not only do I feel comfortable eating the scallops here, I am compelled to order at least one spicy scallop roll upon every visit. This may have something to do with the spicy mayo sauce, which is preferable in my opinion to the chili flakes/paste/oil used elsewhere, and which is all shades of yum. Now, I am not going to say Mishima is the absolute best Japanese restaurant in Murray Hill, but I am going to note several others have come and gone from this neighborhood over the years while Mishima has remained a constant. Take from that information what you will.

Mishima is noticeable on Lexington Avenue thanks to its three black awnings with simple white lettering. One spans the ground floor picture window and door, while the other two are anchored above the restaurant's second story windows. After stepping down from the sidewalk to the entrance, you have the option of sitting in the narrow downstairs area at one of the tables along the mirrored wall or at the sushi bar. Otherwise, you may choose to sit at the second sushi bar upstairs or at one of the tables in this brighter, larger space. The food and sake taste the same in either location, so don't agonize over the decision. Chances are you will be seated wherever there is room, as the restaurant is typically busy during peak lunch and dinner hours.

So go with that Long Islander who drove in via the Midtown Tunnel and doesn't want to sit in any more traffic, that coworker who spills the best gossip about your other coworkers, or that recent graduate who is living out College 2.0 in one of those Murray Hill "dorms." Run it by your own checklist, and let me know what you think.

Mishima - 164 Lexington Avenue, between East 30th & East 31st Streets