La Jolla · San Diego, Calif. reservations@otoroclub.com @otoroclubsd

Otoro Club/The Ceremony/The Cutter

The Cutter

The hands behind the fish.

The Ito family has sourced bluefin direct since 1989. Blake Ito brings the fish, and the family that has chosen it, into the room.

Second generation

The family that chooses the fish, at the board.

Blake Ito is second-generation bluefin.

His father founded the sourcing operation in 1989. Blake has worked in seafood since he was a kid, and he has spent his life around whole fish — selecting them, breaking them down, and learning what separates one loin from the next.

So he does not only cut. He comes from the family that has chosen the fish, whole, for decades. It is the same access the rest of this site describes, with a name and a knife attached.

Blake Ito lifting a bluefin frame above the board, the loin already open in front of him.
The frame, lifted for the room.

What it adds

What a named cutter changes.

Featured at select engagements. Inquire for availability.

  • A named master cutter at the board for the length of the engagement
  • The rare cuts — kama collar, cheek, nakaochi — worked by the family that supplies them
  • The Reserve, portioned by the person who knows the fish best
Blake Ito slicing a block of akami at the board, guests watching behind him.
Portioning to order, at the board.

the cut, narrated, minutes before it is tasted.

Inquire

Ask about featuring Blake.

You’re inquiring about: Featuring Blake Ito, master cutter

Tell us the room and the date. Availability is confirmed by arrangement — Blake is featured at select engagements.

Occasion — optional

Pricing is shared when we confirm the date.

Guest Notices

Raw seafood. Engagements serve raw and undercooked fish. Consuming raw or undercooked seafood may increase your risk of foodborne illness, particularly for guests who are pregnant, immunocompromised, elderly, or have certain medical conditions.

Allergens. Fish, shellfish, soy, sesame, wheat, and egg are present in our service. Notify us in writing of any allergy at least seven days before the engagement. We cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.

Sourcing & substitution. Species, cuts, and portioning are subject to availability at market. Where a whole bluefin is unavailable, an equivalent grade may be substituted with notice to the host.

Photography. Engagements may be photographed for our portfolio. Hosts may opt out in writing before the event date. Alcohol service, where added, requires separate arrangement and licensing.

Full food safety & allergen notice