The Hump, Marunouchi ザハンプ 丸の内

Why would you call a sushi bar The Hump? Why would you call anything other than a pole dancing bar something like that? Actually according to Wikipedia "The Hump" was the name given by Allied pilots in the Second World War to the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains over which they flew from India to China to resupply the Flying Tigers and the Chinese Government of Chiang Kai-shek. So NOW I realise why this place whose alma mater is located at Santa Monica airport in LA is so named.

I recently humped on over for lunch at their branch in Marunouchi and scored a table facing the imperial palace moat. Hands down I can't think of anywhere more appropriate to eat what I guess for most people seems like Japan's national dish facing the seat of the chrysanthemum throne. Priceless, as they say on telly.

The concept of The Hump is modern Californian sushi. Having experienced what they whip up in California and call "sushi", I find the selection more Japanese than Californian, though one can definitely see the influence in the spicy "LA" rolls. Rainbow Roll Sushi at Azabu is, to my mind, more Californian and daring in deviating from the local sushi formula, but this does not detract in any way from The Hump.

I ordered a 2,500 yen bento which included some salad, tempura, braised chicken, sashimi, sushi and LA rolls, and was followed by a litte scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. My dining partner ordered the 1,600 yen California maki plate. Not being able to help myself I washed mine down with a glass of Roederer which set me back another 1,500 - but was so right.

I'd encourage you to check The Hump out. The staff are really sweet, the food is of very good quality and the setting is just about the best you could ask for - especially if you're entertaining foreigners in need of some humping good sushi.


http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g188304/
Tel: 03-5293-4813