Q: How does Kappo En compare to Omakase by Prime Fish?
Tom: Awesome question. They are similar in many ways. Both are small seat spaces. Kappo En occupies a private room in the back of the Menya Daruma noodle shop on 7th Street and seats eight. Omakase by Prime Fish is a standalone space on Providence Road and seats six. Both offer two services per night; however, Omakase recently reduced its operation to just Fridays and Saturdays, while Kappo En is open Wednesdays through Saturdays. Both offer elevated omakase (chef’s choice experiences) and change menus nearly with every service. Both offer approximately 16 courses per seating (give or take). The primary difference is the relative rarity of the food items you’ll enjoy, which results in different price points. Kappo En does offer some very nice finds, like Kuroge A5 wagyu and high-end Otoro bluefin tuna. Omakase by Prime Fish consistently brings I’m next-level ingredients — you typically see a lot of caviar adornments to dishes, plus items the rare King Musk Melon, the world’s most expensive melon at typically $300/each, as well as hairy crab, and equally rare Miyazaki A5 wagyu. Chef Robin Anthony at OPF remarked one night that the special wasabi root he imported for that evening’s service was more expensive than the fish he was using it on. As a result, a dinner at Kappo En will cost you $185 per person while OPF will run you $300 (both not including wines and sakes).

Q: I’m looking for local lamb. Where can I find it?
Tom: You can find Sun Raised Foods at the Cotswold, Matthews, and Davidson farmers markets just about every Saturday. They offer a very nice selection of lamb cuts as well as some mighty tasty cured lamb salamis.

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