Sometimes the words on a menu just don’t do a dish justice.
I’d be hard pressed to find something on the menu at Catch’s meatpacking location that I didn’t think was amazing. But sitting right there on the top of the ‘Cold Plates’ menu is an item that would easily get lost in the sea of great choices – a “Truffle Sashimi” ($33) that lists its components as Tuna, Hamachi, Chili ponzu, caviar and black truffle puree.
IT. IS. HEAVEN. Catch specializes in seafood that’s tender and fresh, and that’s the foundation of this dish. But a lot of people may not be fully read-in on some of the other ingredients, so let’s break it down.
Tuna and Hamachi – you know fresh sushi grade tuna, but you may be less familiar with Hamachi. Hamachi – or Yellowtail – is often described as a ‘sturdy’ fish similar to tuna that is caught primarily with hook and line and weights between 10 to 20 lbs. It is mild, smooth and sometimes even described as buttery. It has become a staple in restaurant appetizer menus where it is thinly sliced and complemented with jalapeno to interchange the smoothness with the heat. BTW – According to Inland Seafood, some sushi bars grill the skeleton and the bits of meat left on it as a little snack. (Um, no thanks.)
Chili Ponzu – Ponzu is a citrus-based sauce that’s a staple in Japanese cuisine. It’s used as a marinade, as a condiment, an addition to soy sauce, you name it. Rice wine, rice vinegar, bonito fish flakes, seaweed and an infusion of yuzu fruit is added. Yuzu is in the family with oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes. Other Japanese citrus fruits are also added. You can buy this in stores, but who knows what magic Catch is adding to theirs. That’s what’s pooling at the bottom in the photo and in this particular case it leans closer to the sweetness from the fruit than the sourness of the vinegar. The ponzu in this dish hits just the right balance.
Caviar – great caviar isn’t as salty as what you’ve bought in stores because it’s super fresh. Catch is all about freshess, so this caviar is mild and flavorful, slightly salty and adds beautiful texture.
Black Truffle Puree – truffles are the fruiting portion of a fungus. They are treasured like diamonds in the world of cooking for their flavor and for the arduous nature of harvesting them. Their flavor is described as a mix of nutty, earthy and a bit mushroomy. In this case it’s pureed and dotted on top of the dish.

This dish may feel small but it’s a healthy portion as a starter – or for me, a snack. (It’s great for sharing.) It might seem high at $33 for one order, but the taste combinations are unforgettable, the dish is smooth, sweet and savory all at the same time, and if you’re treating yourself to dinner at Catch anyway, this is a must!
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