10 sushi etiquette tips from Katami's Chef Hori in Montrose
Sushi school is in session!
The overview: Four-time James Beard award-nominated chef Manabu Horiuch, also known as Chef Hori, and partner Yun Cheng opened Katami in Montrose last November. Katami is Japanese for gift or keepsake.
Chef Hori shared some of his sushi etiquette tips for every sushi lover, from connoisseurs to omakase newcomers.
Here's what's on Chef Hori's do list:
Do ask, "What do you recommend today?"
Do tell the chef you have enjoyed a certain dish/recipe before, and ask if they make their own version that is unique to their sushi bar.
Do ask if the nigiri has been brushed with soy sauce before dipping.
Do dip nigiri, fish-side down, to the sauce, touching only about 20% of the fish to the sauce. This must be done at the top of the nigiri.
Do eat ginger between bites of different types of fish. This should be done especially when going from eating a mild-to-fatty fish to a stronger-flavored fish. This should also be done when going from a fatty or stronger-flavored fish to a mild fish.
Los Angeles-based pizzeria Pizzana lands in River Oaks Shopping Center
Pizzas, pastas and parmesan are all coming together at Pizzana, the Los Angeles-based eatery that announced its arrival to the Houston dining scene on social media.
The details: The Southern California, Michelin award-winning restaurant opened at the River Oaks Shopping Center on March 22. This is the second Texas location for the restaurant.
On the menu: Diners can expect "neo-neapolitan" or Naples, Italy-inspired pizzas from chef Daniele Uditi, where toppings are consciously sourced. One of Uditi's signature styles of cooking pizza is called "slow dough," where the dough is allowed to ferment for two days.
Texas Medical Board proposes guidance on medical exceptions to abortion ban
After months of pressure, the Texas Medical Board proposed narrow medical exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban during its March 22 meeting.
The context: The board has been silent on the issue since Texas’ “trigger law” took effect in August 2022, banning nearly all abortions except to save a pregnant person’s life or prevent serious injury. The law does not include exceptions for rape or incest.
What happened: The board opted to consider new guidance following calls for clarity from patients, doctors and lawmakers. Nearly two dozen women sued the state in the past year after they were forced to carry nonviable pregnancies under the abortion law.
What you need to know: The board relied heavily on existing state statutes to craft its proposed rule. It did not list exceptions for specific medical conditions, instead deferring to physicians to determine when an emergency abortion is necessary.
3.8M Texans can file taxes for free with IRS pilot program
Texas residents who still need to file their taxes may be able to use Direct File, a free program launched by the Internal Revenue Service on March 12. The IRS is currently piloting the program in 12 states for people whose taxes are relatively simple.
The timeline: Tax-filing season began Jan. 29, and tax returns are due April 15. Most Texans will only need to file federal tax returns, as the state does not collect an income tax.
What you need to know: Around 3.8 million Texans will qualify to use Direct File. The free tool is available in English and Spanish.
