Hot Obsession: Matsuzaka Mania

by eldean, 08-08-2007

Once upon a time, sushi was an event. You planned an outing and you coveted the unagi. You ordered quality sake at only a few select Asian establishments. Then the Red Sox signed a certain pitcher and our city took on a more Eastern flair. Now Japanese tourists are arriving in droves (the Boston Phoenix reported in May that 20,000 new visitors are expected to visit Boston this year) and Matsuzaka mania - from food to tourism to clothing - is whizzing through the Hub like a fastball over home plate. At blu (Sports Club/LA, 4 Avery Street, Boston, 617.375.3550), you can order a Matsu-SAKE ($10) and settle in to watch the game. Downstairs at Jer-ne (Ritz-Carlton, 10 Avery Street, Boston, 617.574.7176), they're mixing the not-so-subtly named Dice-K-Tini ($16) with sake, Grey Goose, and passionfruit juice. At Redline (59 JFK Street, Cambridge, 617.491.9851), they use Eastern imports - Sapporo and pear-infused sake - to make Matsuzaka's Revenge ($8). Jake's Dixie Roadhouse (220 Moody Street, Waltham, 781.894.4227) is cooking up Daisuke Matsuzaka teriyaki wings, while closer to home plate, the Cask 'n Flagon (62 Brookline Avenue, Boston, 617.536.4840) salutes Dice-K with the addition of apps like gyoza yakatori chicken skewers ($8.99 - and in case you're curious, the yen conversion price is listed too). Fugakyu (1280 Beacon Street, Brookline, 617.734.1268) pulls out all the stops to welcome the rookie with new menu items like live fish sashimi (prices vary), a congratulatory dish according to Japanese custom. What would one wear to celebrate the pitcher? Not just any old Sox T-shirt, of course. It'd have to have the team's name emblazoned in Japanese characters ($16.99), available at Newbury Comics (various locations). What a way to root for the home team.

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