Screamo, synth pop, indie post-punk fuel award-winning Chef Jesse Ito: Ears We Trust
Royal Izakaya owner and chef Jesse Ito recently won the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic award from the James Beard Foundation, the equivalent of a culinary Grammy. So we asked him what music finds its way into his life, kitchen, and dining room for Ears We Trust.
Jesse Ito | Huge Galdones Photography
For Ears We Trust, we typically hit up members of the Philadelphia music scene. Sometimes, though, we step outside our lane to ask other notable Philadelphians about their tastes (pun intended here).
This week, we have Jesse Ito, owner and chef at one of Philly’s most prestigious restaurants: Royal Sushi & Izakaya. Ito is hot off winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (basically the Grammy Awards of the culinary world), so we asked him what tunes he spins personally, in the kitchen, and in his restaurant’s dining room.
Check out his picks below.
Taking Back Sunday
This band has been on regular rotation for me since I was a teenager. They’re great for when I’m prepping fish for the omakase or working out. It gets me in the right headspace.
Bloc Party
I love this band. In 2016, when Royal Sushi & Izakaya opened, I named one of our top-selling rolls after them. It’s still on the menu: Bloc Party, featuring king salmon, avocado, cucumber, and pickled jalapeño, topped with yellowtail, sesame seeds, and chive.
New Order
The finest example of synth and ’80s, in my opinion. When I opened Royal, it was really important to me that the omakase and izakaya felt integrated. They are separate experiences, but the spaces are only divided by a curtain. Omakase guests can hear the same playlist, the hum of service, and the guests having a good time. Everyone also hears the same playlist, which sets the vibe.