When you think about Boston, the first things that come to mind are The Boston Marathon, Fenway Park, Freedom Walk Trail, and the Boston Common Urban Park. The place is also rich in history and vibrant with its cultures; this is why people like to refer to it as the best city in America. If you’re a tourist who’s looking for great adventures, Boston is totally the way to go!
But one more thing that brings this city to the top of the list is their excellent food and dining places! It’s home to several top-notch restaurants that deserve to be awarded with Michelin stars. Aren’t there restaurants in Boston that have been marked by Michelin, you ask? While many places offer impressive fine dining in the area, Michelin critics haven’t visited the city. O Ya is among these dining places that deserve to be starred, and we’re going to explain why in this article (1).
If you’re looking for a Japanese food place that delivers nothing but the best experience, you might want to try and come visit O Ya in Boston.
O Ya Boston: What’s the Craze?
Since its opening in 2007, O Ya and its authentic Japanese cuisine skyrocketed among the charts and won people’s hearts and palates. The top-notch restaurant delivered such excellent food and services that the New York Times acknowledged it as the best new restaurant in the nation in that same year. If you want to go to a contemporary restaurant that captures the entire Japanese food experience, O Ya is undoubtedly the one to head for. The menu consists of delectable and hard-to-pass dishes, which have such a modern twist that you’ll surely love. While visiting O Ya means spending a hefty bill, people still come and go because of the restaurant’s interesting atmosphere, exceptional services, and mouth-watering Japanese food.
The Chef Behind O Ya
Founder and working chef Tim Cushman brought his skills and experiences together to establish today’s one of the most famous Japanese restaurants in America. You wouldn’t believe when we tell you that Chef Tim didn’t really set out to be involved in the food scene and be a world-famous chef. He’s a graduate of Berkeley School of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Jazz and Classical Guitar. He did have some background when it comes to cuisine, but he pursued the music industry at the time. Tim moved to California in hopes of attaining musical success; little did he know that a different kind of success story was waiting for him. He took a job at a restaurant to play his music, but instead, he got a spot as a dishwasher, and soon, he became a kitchen manager. This life-changing event sparked up his culinary dreams, and that started his adventure in the world of different cuisines around the globe.
When Chef Tim Cushman and his wife Nancy opened up O Ya in 2007, both the restaurant and Cushman garnered outstanding awards for outstanding performance and services. In 2008, Chef Tim was acknowledged as Best New Chef by the Food & Wine magazine; on that same year, food critic Frank Bruni from the infamous New York Times recognized O Ya as the Top 1 New Restaurant across the United States. In 2012, Chef Tim was awarded with the James Beard Award for the Best Chef Northeast. O Ya also completed the list of the Top 10 Sushi Restaurants in the US from the Bon Appetit and Details magazines. With the restaurant’s current success, O Ya and Chef Cushman will surely earn more achievement awards in the long run.
Michelin Stars and Restaurants in Boston
Michelin stars are probably the most coveted award that an aspiring chef can dream of. Each restaurant owner strives hard and gives their best to impress their mystery Michelin critics at that opportune moment they walk in the place. These precious stars serve as the hallmark of fine dining, and it’s not a walk in the park to earn these. If you’re a restaurateur who’d love to be acknowledged with the prestigious award, you should make sure that you only deliver top-level food, excellent fine dining experiences, and a superior-looking venue. Most importantly, you’d want to maintain your high-quality services and stay consistent with it.
There are three star levels in the Michelin guide:
– One Star means that the restaurant stands out in its particular category; the place serves high-quality dishes, but it lacks that punch that would make people want to come back.
– Two Stars mean that the business provides excellent cuisine along with impressive craftsmanship; therefore, the restaurant deserves a detour visit.
– Three Stars indicate that the restaurant is hands-down one of the best food places in the area. This food place delivers unique cuisine that’s only prepared with the best ingredients, followed by such an outstanding execution.
Whether a place has Michelin stars or not is a hot topic, especially in the food scene, and Boston’s lack of it makes people wonder. It’s not that the city doesn’t have excellent food places that would definitely pass the Michelin test; it’s just that Boston doesn’t have a Michelin Guide. While there are many reputable and top-tier restaurants in Boston, the city doesn’t have enough to make a Michelin Guide. Still, critics like to acknowledge the fact that Boston is holding true gems in its food industry.
What to Expect When Dining at O Ya
If you’re a sushi enthusiast, make sure you don’t miss O Ya. The restaurant is located in the Leather District of Boston. For the hefty price you’re about to take, you’ll expect the place to be grand and sophisticated; however, O Ya has such a comfortable ambiance with its 30-seat dining room.
The restaurant does take the exquisite food of Japan to Boston as it brings you the finest sushi, spirit-kicking Japanese whiskies, and the best omakase experience, which O Ya features the most. A 17-course meal costs $185 per person, and the Grand Omakase, which serves you with a scrumptious 21-course meal, is $285. The dishes range from traditional to modern-twisted flavors that come from top-quality and off-menu ingredients.
We think it’s worth noting that the dishes’ steep prices come with a mandatory 20% tip for the staff. With the way that they welcome you the moment you set foot to the place and how they serve, clear, and replace new dishes to your table, you’ll observe that the tip is well worth it.
Final Thoughts
The apparent fact about O Ya is that people come back for the unique and delicate Japanese cuisine they serve. Whether there’s an O Ya Michelin Star in Boston or not, we’re quite sure that critics and enthusiasts won’t pass by Boston without having a taste from this restaurant.
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