What could be more grueling than creating new dishes on the fly for a panel of critics in less than an hour? How about answering questions in your second language with no wiggle room? We coaxed Masaharu Morimoto, the Japanese Iron Chef, into submitting to our either/or questionnaire. This month Morimoto brings his black cod with miso to the masses at Pauli Moto's Asian Bistro (1961 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean; 703-556-7778; paulimotos.com), a lantern-lit pan-Asian eatery in Tysons Corner.
Sake in a wooden box or in a glass?
In a glass because it's easier to drink out of–less risk of splinters in your lips. Also, you get a more pure taste.
Green tea or espresso?
Beer. I'd risk overstimulation with caffeine.
Bobby Flay or Mario Batali?
Actually, both are good friends of mine.
Iron Chef Sakai or Iron Chef Chen Kenichi?
Are you trying to get me in trouble?
Mandoline or hand-chopping?
As long as you've got hands like mine, hand-chopping.
Ichiro Suzuki or Hideki Matsui?
It's impossible to choose one because both are great players. They are also both customers.
Natto or Spam?
Natto. I've never had Spam, and from what I've heard I don't think I want to.
Mongolian grill or Korean barbecue?
Korean barbecue. We don't eat much Mongolian grill in Japan.
McDonald's or Wendy's?
McDonald's. I give the edge to their fries.
Acela or Delta Shuttle?
I prefer to drive my Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG.
Lost in Translation or Kill Bill?
Kill Bill. I'm a big fan of Bill Murray. But how could I not admire that knife work in Kill Bill?
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
