Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 483

October 31, 2012: Tokyo Day #3! Sawada! Shinjuku! Butagumi!

Last night, Akemi and I returned to our favorite sushi restaurant in Tokyo: Sawada. It’s always more than dinner, it’s a show, with Master Sawada-san presenting a feast of varied sushis and sashimis, from sweet Hokkaido uni to grilled sea eel, all expertly prepared and utterly delicious.  The restaurant itself is small, seating six at its modest counter, but this, says Sawada, is ideal as it allows him to give each diner his fullest attention.  The meal isn’t cheap, but it is always one of the culinary highlights of my year.

On this visit, we were seated beside a solo diner, Jeff, who was in town from London for two days of business.  We chatted film, television, and, of course, food.  The remaining counter seats were occupied by three 50-something Japanese women whose conversation grew more raucous, their laughter louder, as the evening progressed – no doubt owing to the amount of sake they knocked back.  At one point, one of them got up to use the bathroom, stumbled and almost ate tatami – but found much-needed support in the form of the opposing closet door that almost buckled under her weight.  Once our dinner had ended, I made sure they left first. The last thing I needed was an inebriated avalanche of drunken older women tumbling down the stairs toward me.

Anyway, no photos of the meal itself (Sawada-san enforces a strict no-photo policy – unless you get there early and there are no fellow diners to offend), but I did snap a pic of our new friend, Jeff with Akemi:

Today, we did a little shopping in Shinjuku…

The streets of Shinjuku

I touched and got “Make a mountain out of a molehill”.

Then to Nishi-Azabu for tonkatsu lunch…

Our walk from the metro station takes us by Aoyama Park.

Lunch at Butagumi with our friend, Masa.

The menu offers a wide variety of pork (breaded and fried to golden-tender perfection).

Let the pig-out begin!

This appetizer was the surprise star of the meal and probably the most delicious thing I’ve eaten all year. The pork is braised for eight hours, then cooked with garlic, green onions, soy, and shichimi (a Japanese spice made up of some seven other ingredients). I ended up ordering a second dish – and then a third. Unbelievably tasty.

We ordered three different tonkatsu’s. This one was the thickly sliced, medium-rich pork sirloin from Kagoshima prefecture.

This one was the Imo Buta from Chiba prefecture and was our favorite. Surprising since it was a filet and the leanest of the three.

The super rich Meishan-Ton from Ibakari prefecture. Akemi and I were expecting the marbling to be more evenly distributed. It was a tad queasifying. Is queasifying a word?

We worked off lunch with a walk down to Roppongi Midtown and stopped by Jean-Paul Hevin for macarons before heading back to Roppongi Hills – only to discover that the Mori Arts Museum is closed until mid-November.  WTF?!

Tonight, it’s dinner with my friend, Sachi, at Pierre Gagnaire and then tomorrow, it’s a LATE blog update as I spend the day (and early evening) with my friend, Moro-san, in Yokohama!

How are our friends on the east coast?  Hope you’ve all ridden out the storm and things are returning to normalcy.

Tagged: Butagumi, Japan, Japan travel, Sawada, Sawada sushi, sushi, Tokyo, Tokyo food, Tokyo Restaurants, Tokyo travel, tonkatsu

October 29, 2012: Tokyo Day #2! Roppongi! Faro! Yasai-ya Me!

Just stop by the convenience store and pick up a carton of milk – oh, and one of those individually-wrapped bananas or ears of corn.

Akemi is so adorable.  She’s apparently been in Canada so long that she’s forgotten what it’s like to live in Tokyo.

“Tell me when you see a garbage can,”she said, waving the empty can she was holding.

A garbage can?  On the streets of Ginza?  You’re more likely to come across Godzilla.

The plan was to catch the metro to Roppongi so that we could check out the always entertaining Mori Art Museum.  Unfortunately, it turned out the museum was closed – so we had to entertain ourselves through alternate means:

A visit to the fantastic Le Chocolat de H for their terrific banana chocolates.

Then, a visit to the Ritz Carleton Cafe for a drink – oh, and this massive green tea choux topped with adzuki beans.

We were looking at an 8:00 p.m. dinner reservation at Faro and I needed something to tide me over.  Beside the chocolates and choux.  Curiously, I was in the mood for – of all things – fruit!  I suppose it shouldn’t come as a surprise given that, despite my eating habits when I’m away, I eat fairly sensibly on the home front.  For instance, my post morning work-out lunch always consists of a shake comprised of one banana, half a cup of blueberries, another miscellaneous fruit (half a papaya, a whole pear, a couple of figs), almond milk, and oatmeal.  Apparently, my body NEEDS fruit.

Sigh.  I must be getting old.

Last night, we took in a late dinner at one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Ginza: Faro.  Joining us for the unsurprisingly excellent meal was Akemi’s good friend, Harumi.

Akemi and Harumi catch up.

The amuse-bouce was a thick and creamy cauliflower soup with cauliflower consomme gelee topped with salmon roe.

My starter: a fabulous foie gras with marron (chestnut) cream.  Upon on top, some roasted chestnut topped with a coffee gelee.

Also to start, the Sea Urchin Royale.

We split two pasta plates: veal-stuffed agnolotti with porcini mushrooms on the left (my favourite) and tagliatelle with lobster on the right (Akemi’s favourite)

We followed up with an earthy truffle risotto.

They wheeled out the dessert cart at the end of the meal.  I was so stuffed, I could only manage one: the Savarin topped with Brandy.

And, just to be sure we weren’t going home hungry, they presented us with a selection of sweet small bites – with extra mango-passion fruit gimauve (marshmallows) for Akemi.

This morning, Akemi had the most interesting breakfast…

Fresh orange and orange jelly she picked up from Ginza Sembikya, a shop specializing in fresh fruit, fruit sandwiches, and mangoes the size of your head.

Not to be outdone…

I had the desserts Harumi gifted us last night from Pierre Herme: Ispahan (rose, lychee and raspberry) macaron on the left and a match with adzuki bean macaron on the right.

Akemi had an appointment this morning and, once she finished up, I ended up meeting her in Omotedsando where we had lunch at Yasai-Ya Me, a restaurant specializing in vegetarian cuisine (although, curiously, I found pork and chicken on the menu as well).  I noticed that clientele was overwhelmingly women.  I was the only guy in the restaurant with the exception of some poor sap no doubt dragged in by his girlfriend.

Yasai (vegetables), not to be confused with yasui (cheap) or yasashii (easy).

Akemi ordered a carbonated vinegar soda that is apparently a great antioxidant.  I went with an anti-aging tea (and feel younger already!).

Fried lotus root dusted with black pepper and garlic.  Highly addictive!

My main was a culinary tableau of tastes and textures: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, crispy, creamy, dense and airy.  Some of the items were amazing, others less so, but it was an experience all the same.

Akemi had a kasu (lees left over from the sake making process) rice with baked pumpkin.  It was surprisingly subtle.  I would have preferred a more pronounced kasu flavor.

I was also served two soups, one of which boasted an intense yuzu (Japanese citrus similar to a lemon) flavor.

We worked off lunch by taking a stroll through Omotesando and hitting all the cultural hotspots (ie. Pierre Herme, Jean-Paul Hevin, and La Maison du Chocolat).

This mini-cheesebuger-sized macaron should give us the energy we need to finish our tour of the neighborhood!

Tonight, dinner with our old friend (and sushi master) Sawada-san.

Watching the updates on the storm hitting the east coast.  For those of you in the impact area, stay safe and let us know how you’re doing.

Tagged: Faro, Faro restaurant, Japan travel, Roppongi, Tokyo, Tokyo Restaurants, Tokyo travel, Yasai-ya Me

November 30, 2012: Tokyo Day #2! Roppongi! Faro! Yasai-ya Me!

Just stop by the convenience store and pick up a carton of milk – oh, and one of those individually-wrapped bananas or ears of corn.

Akemi is so adorable.  She’s apparently been in Canada so long that she’s forgotten what it’s like to live in Tokyo.

“Tell me when you see a garbage can,”she said, waving the empty can she was holding.

A garbage can?  On the streets of Ginza?  You’re more likely to come across Godzilla.

The plan was to catch the metro to Roppongi so that we could check out the always entertaining Mori Art Museum.  Unfortunately, it turned out the museum was closed – so we had to entertain ourselves through alternate means:

A visit to the fantastic Le Chocolat de H for their terrific banana chocolates.

Then, a visit to the Ritz Carleton Cafe for a drink – oh, and this massive green tea choux topped with adzuki beans.

We were looking at an 8:00 p.m. dinner reservation at Faro and I needed something to tide me over.  Beside the chocolates and choux.  Curiously, I was in the mood for – of all things – fruit!  I suppose it shouldn’t come as a surprise given that, despite my eating habits when I’m away, I eat fairly sensibly on the home front.  For instance, my post morning work-out lunch always consists of a shake comprised of one banana, half a cup of blueberries, another miscellaneous fruit (half a papaya, a whole pear, a couple of figs), almond milk, and oatmeal.  Apparently, my body NEEDS fruit.

Sigh.  I must be getting old.

Last night, we took in a late dinner at one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Ginza: Faro.  Joining us for the unsurprisingly excellent meal was Akemi’s good friend, Harumi.

Akemi and Harumi catch up.

The amuse-bouce was a thick and creamy cauliflower soup with cauliflower consomme gelee topped with salmon roe.

My starter: a fabulous foie gras with marron (chestnut) cream.  Upon on top, some roasted chestnut topped with a coffee gelee.

Also to start, the Sea Urchin Royale.

We split two pasta plates: veal-stuffed agnolotti with porcini mushrooms on the left (my favourite) and tagliatelle with lobster on the right (Akemi’s favourite)

We followed up with an earthy truffle risotto.

They wheeled out the dessert cart at the end of the meal.  I was so stuffed, I could only manage one: the Savarin topped with Brandy.

And, just to be sure we weren’t going home hungry, they presented us with a selection of sweet small bites – with extra mango-passion fruit gimauve (marshmallows) for Akemi.

This morning, Akemi had the most interesting breakfast…

Fresh orange and orange jelly she picked up from Ginza Sembikya, a shop specializing in fresh fruit, fruit sandwiches, and mangoes the size of your head.

Not to be outdone…

I had the desserts Harumi gifted us last night from Pierre Herme: Ispahan (rose, lychee and raspberry) macaron on the left and a match with adzuki bean macaron on the right.

Akemi had an appointment this morning and, once she finished up, I ended up meeting her in Omotedsando where we had lunch at Yasai-Ya Me, a restaurant specializing in vegetarian cuisine (although, curiously, I found pork and chicken on the menu as well).  I noticed that clientele was overwhelmingly women.  I was the only guy in the restaurant with the exception of some poor sap no doubt dragged in by his girlfriend.

Yasai (vegetables), not to be confused with yasui (cheap) or yasashii (easy).  

Akemi ordered a carbonated vinegar soda that is apparently a great antioxidant.  I went with an anti-aging tea (and feel younger already!).

Fried lotus root dusted with black pepper and garlic.  Highly addictive!

My main was a culinary tableau of tastes and textures: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, crispy, creamy, dense and airy.  Some of the items were amazing, others less so, but it was an experience all the same.

Akemi had a kasu (lees left over from the sake making process) rice with baked pumpkin.  It was surprisingly subtle.  I would have preferred a more pronounced kasu flavor.  

I was also served two soups, one of which boasted an intense yuzu (Japanese citrus similar to a lemon) flavor.

We worked off lunch by taking a stroll through Omotesando and hitting all the cultural hotspots (ie. Pierre Herme, Jean-Paul Hevin, and La Maison du Chocolat).

This mini-cheesebuger-sized macaron should give us the energy we need to finish our tour of the neighborhood!

Tonight, dinner with our old friend (and sushi master) Sawada-san.

Watching the updates on the storm hitting the east coast.  For those of you in the impact area, stay safe and let us know how you’re doing.

Tagged: Faro, Faro restaurant, Japan travel, Roppongi, Tokyo, Tokyo Restaurants, Tokyo travel, Yasai-ya Me

October 28, 2012 (here in Tokyo): Arrival! Applause! Soba at Akatsukian! And Mitsukoshi desserts!

Toothbrush?  Check!  Clean socks?  Check!  Bubba?  Check!  Okay, we’re good to go!

One of the things I’m reminded about Tokyo every time I catch the shuttle bus from Narita airport into the city are the highways and how truly high they are.  So high, in fact, that one will occasionally find oneself eye-level with the top floor of some extremely tall buildings.  Not a great ride for someone who suffers from acrophobia. “Imagine if there was an earthquake?”says Akemi.  I need no prompting for I have, in fact, already imagined – the roadway shaking, buckling, and collapsing beneath us…the long plunge down to the ground – long enough for me to scream my lungs out, take a nice deep breath, and loosen one more lustful cry before we land.

Fortunately, no earthquakes on this trip.  Close though.  It’s kind of ironic that we left rainy Vancouver for earthquake-prone Japan yesterday, only to touch down to a rainy Tokyo and hear word that we missed an earthquake back home in Vancouver. Well, according to reports (my dog-sitter, Christine) it really wasn’t felt much in the lower mainland.

Akemi came prepared for the long flight with slippers and slimming socks (“The socks are very warm and make your legs thin like chopsticks!”).

Our flight left on time, we actually got in early, while immigration and baggage pick-up was a breeze.  I actually thought we’d make excellent time – until we discovered a 40 minute wait for the shuttle bus to the hotel.  Fortunately, our driver was a bit of a (much-appreciated) maniac and we got in at about 7:45 p.m local time 3:45 a.m. west coast time.  And, of course, you know what that meant…dinner time!

We met up with John and Nancy, two of our Toronto friends, who happened to be in town for a conference.  They’re leaving today but were kind enough to come down to the hotel and join us for a late-night meal.

Recent newlyweds John and Nancy brave the rain to say hi. And eat grilled chicken butt.

We went to the hotel restaurant, Applause, and ordered – oh, two of everything on the menu.  Highlights included the aforementioned bonjiri (grilled chicken butts – what my father used to refer to as “The Pope’s nose”) and -

Sea urchin jelly.

We unpacked, showered, and I was in bed by 11:oo p.m.  Then up again at 1:30 a.m. to make line-up changes for my fantasy football team (The Snow Monkeys), then back to sleep again, then up again at 4:30 a.m. where I followed the late game action (Don’t judge me.  It was 12:30 p.m. Vancouver time.).  Doug Martin got us off to a fantastic start on Thursday night and my Snow Monkeys have ridden that momentum to a week 8 win, evening our record to 4-4 and the #4 rank in our 14 team league.

Akemi and I took an early morning stroll through Ginza, making a point to check out the amazing conveniences stores with their wide and wild array of offerings:

Banana milk

Caramel waffle. check out the image in the top right-hand corner. The waffle can also be used as a substitute cap for your coffee.

Today, I was approached by a homeless man who offered me a handful of cash AND his false teeth!  Who says the Japanese aren’t friendly?

We hit my favorite department store in the universe (yes, including Galactashop on Omicron 5!).

For lunch, today, we went to Akatsukian on the 12th floor of the Mitsukoshi building. There we enjoyed an excellent lunch set highlighted by some silky soba noodles in a rich and immensely flavorful duck broth.

We then headed downstairs to the Mitsukoshi basement for a dessert run.  Akemi limited me to a mere five choices.  We picked them up, then headed back to the hotel for an early afternoon wind-down.  My favorites:

The cheesecake from Sweet of Oregon. Oregon?

The custard, whipped cream, and cheesecake-stuffed crepe from Mon Cher Patisserie Osaka Dojima.

And the Creme Caramel Custard Dome from Morozoff.

It was tough to limit myself, but I’m trying to pace myself.  Even at 5 different desserts a day from now until my departure, I won’t get anywhere near sampling a wide enough cross-section of the available dessert.

Oof, what a day.  I’m ready for bed.

Except that it’s only 1:30 p.m.!

Tagged: Applause Restaurant, Japan, Japan travel, Mitsukoshi, Mitsukoshi desserts, Mon Cher Patisserie, Mozoroff, Osaka Dojima, soba, Sweet of Oregon, Tokyo, Tokyo Dining, Tokyo travel

October 27, 2012: Travel Day! The Top 11 Things I’ve Been Eating in Vancouver!

Planning a visit to Vancouver and looking forward to sampling some of the city’s finest – but not looking forward to playing hit and miss?  Well, relax and allow me to guide you through some of the city’s tastiest treats.

Here are the Top 11 Things I’ve Been Eating in Vancouver:

PEACEFUL BEEF ROLL AT  PEACEFUL RESTAURANT

Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, its five-spice, hoisin-laced beef rolled in crispy onion flatbread.  The restaurant focuses on northern Chinese dishes, more robust and intensely flavored than their southern counterparts.  Lots to like on the menu but the peaceful beef roll leads the list.

CACHETA AND LENGUA TACOS AT La Taqueria

Vancouver’s best taco place (Sorry.  Nowhere else comes even close.) offers up a varied and delicious selection.  My favorites are the tender and tasty cacheta (braised beef cheeks) and lengua (braised beef tongue).  If you’re feeling less adventurous, go with pollo con mole or pescado (grilled fish), then wash it down with a horchata or Mexican coke.

SALTED CARAMEL CREAM PUFF AT Beta 5

This place specializes in chocolate, but they do so many other things well – like their irresistible salted caramel cream puff, a perfect marriage of sweet and salty, crisp and creamy.

ABURI SALMON OSHI SUSHI AT Downtown Vancouver Japanese Restaurant – Miku Restaurant

Local salmon pressed and dressed with Miku special sauce, topped with jalapeno then grilled topside using a blowtorch and charcoal. Whenever I go with first-timers, I always order two rolls (at least) because I know that one won’t be enough.

SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM AT FAT DRAGON BAR-B-Q

The greatest soft serve I’ve ever had available in a variety of inspired daily flavors.  My favorite (surprise surprise) = the delightfully refreshing cucumber!

CHOCOLATE PUDDING AT Fable Restaurant | From Farm to Table

Former Top Chef Canada contestant Curtis Luk makes some amazing desserts (including kick-ass macarons), but his chocolate pudding is my go-to after-dinner treat.  A brilliant balance of tastes and textures.

CHOCOLATE ZEPPOLE AT Giovane cafe + bakery + deli: a stunning cafe & retail emporium …

A chocoholic’s dream bomb: cream on the inside, ganache on the outside.  Bring back-up!

PORCHETTA AT Meat & Bread

Juicy slow-roasted pork, crunchy crackling, and salsa verde served on a ciabatta roll.  We’ve gone so many times of late that Akemi has declared a temporary moratorium on near future visits.  I’ve already got a plan to work around the embargo.

BANANA CHOCOLATES AT Beta 5

The impressively-thin shell possesses a great chocolaty snap, giving way to fantastic banana interior.  I’m a huge fan of this particular flavor combination and have tried many variations.  My all-time favorites are those offered at Le Chocolat de H in Tokyo (ル ショコラ ドゥ アッシュ_) and Beta 5′s version.

SPAGHETTI AT CAMPAGNOLO ROMA

Having grown up in an Italian household, I’m incredibly picky when it comes to pasta, especially spaghetti, so the fact that Campagnolo Roma’s version is on this list says a lot about the dish.  Perfectly cooked to a toothsome al dente and served with luscious tomato sauce and a touch of fresh basil.

CARROT CAKE AT cadeaux bakery

I’m a sucker for carrot cake and, after an in-depth (and thoroughly delicious) search, I’ve found my favorite.  But Cadeaux Bakery in Gastown offers more than just carrot cake – which is why, every time I go, we end up sitting down to a good half-dozen heavenly creations.

Tagged: Beta 5, Cadeaux Bakery, Campagnolo Roma, Fable Restaurant, Fat Dragon, Giovane Cafe, La Taqueria, Meat & Bread, Miku Restaurant, Peaceful Restaurant

October 26, 2012: Your input would be greatly appreciated!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to explain the difference between “goofy” and “kooky” to my Japanese girlfriend.  I have already tried – and failed.  YOU are now our only hope.  Please leave your superior explanations in the comments section.  Thanks.

Whew! That was a close one. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

To those of you wondering (which, I’m sure, is almost everyone), my Snow Monkeys eked out a close-shave three-point victory last weekend to creep up to a record of 3 wins and 4 losses in Fantasy Football League play.  Unimpressive admittedly but good enough for seventh place in our 14-team league and a playoff spot if the season ended today.  This week, the team faces a tough match-up against PasswordIsLawren but we’re off to a good start thanks to Doug Martin’s spectacular 33.40 point performance last night.  Now, all I need to do is choose the right RB2 compliment.  Trent Richardson is dinged up but is expected to start.  Andre Brown is the clear back-up in New York but Bradshaw is looking gimpy.  Ballard was my first choice, assuming running duties in Brown’s absence, but there is talk that Brown will suit up this weekend.  So, who do I go with?  Please leave your expert opinions in the comment section.  Thanks.

I mean, honestly – how am I expected to keep updated on late injury reports and set my line-up?  With the help of the internet – and a two a.m. Tokyo time wake-up, that’s how.

I’ll be out and about (“galavanting” as my father used to say) for the next little while but, upon my return, I’d like to check out one of the new Fall shows.  THE best one, of course.  And that would be…..? Please leave your pick in the comments section.  Thanks.

And since I’ll be off-continent, I’m going to miss out on the upcoming presidential election.  Who will emerge victorious?  Obama?  Romney? Virgil Goode?  I’m DVR’ing the election night coverage so no spoilers until I get back!

Planning to hit the amazon store tonight and download a couple of fantastic reads to my kindle.  Any suggestions?  Fantastic reads only, please.  Leave your recommendations in the comment section.  Thanks.

Why is my French Bulldog, Lulu, so hungry tonight?  I’ve given her two extra handfuls of kibble and she continues to park herself under the dog food cupboard.  What gives?  Please post your explanation in the comment section.  Thanks.

Hey, Michael Vick, check it out!  Dog fighting!

Well, dog-wrestling anyway.  Oh, forgot.  Michael Vick isn’t into dog-fighting anymore.  Or, it would seem, scoring touchdowns.

October 25, 2012: Double Birthday(ish) Dinner!

The other night, Akemi and I went out for burgers with a couple of our very favorite Vancouver friends: Steve, Jodi, and their daughter, Gemma.  Per Akemi’s request, we ended up going to Romer’s Burger Bar for their varied menu offerings and those silly iceberg lettuce buns the ladies seem to enjoy.

Steve and Jodi.  Future Vegas travel companions?

Gemma says: “I’m eating! And watching Madagascar 3.”

The Chorizodor.  A pork and chorizo sausage patty topped with cheddar, pepper jack, creamy boursin, avocado, and Diablo sauce.  Tasty – but very messy.

Steve and Jodi ended up surprising both Akemi and I with belated birthday gifts.  A travel kit for me (which saves me the trouble of having to go out and buy one for my Tokyo trip!  How’s that for timing?) and a pug-themed accessory for Akemi:

So cute!

As the dishes were being cleared away, our waitress asked who was the birthday boy because, apparently, they were preparing some sort of dessert in my honor.  I assumed that she had spotted the gift and informed the kitchen who had decided to whip up something for the occasion.  I would have honestly preferred to simply order my own dessert.  BUT it turned out the dessert wasn’t coming from the kitchen. Not exactly.  It was coming from the kitchen via a sneaky Steve and Jodi via Ganache Patisserie: an assortment of delectable pastries including:

My birthday mini-cake

And my favorite: the hazelnut cocoa meringue.

The desserts were totally unexpected but greatly appreciated.  And delicious.  If we do end up doing Vegas with Steve and Jodi in, I’ll have to find a way to surprise them as well.  I’m thinking garden snake in their luggage.

Then, last night, Akemi and I headed over to Fat Dragon for their famed Hog Times dinner.  We were joined by Emma and Robert (who we met at the last family-style dinner at Campagnolo Roma) and our buddy Simon…

Emma and Robert = expert eaters.

Simon = diner, chef, photographer.

I’m usually not a fan of family-style dining which requires you to share a table with complete strangers.  Sometimes, dishes introduced at one end of the table take forever to get to you – and, when they do, it can be slim pickings.  Conversely, if you’re starting with a dish, you may limit your initial serving to ensure everyone at the other end of the table receives a share and, as a result, end up leaving the table feeling hungry.  On the other hand, the family-style setting allows you to make new friends (like Emma and Robert) – which wasn’t the case on this night as the group seated beside us was immersed in their own private conversation throughout.

Still, it was a great meal.  The following photos were snapped by Simon and his far superior camera:

Barbecued Sloping Hill Farm Pig.  They trotted the pork out and posed for the requisite pics.  

Papaya and cabbage salad with lime, green chilies, and crispy shallots.  Akemi loved it.

Jalan Alor chicken wings.  Simon went to town on these!

Stri-fried noodles with smokey drippings.  Smokey drippings? Aka pork fat.  And, yes, they were delicious.

The cheek!  The tastiest, most tender part of the pig.  

Other menu items included bean sprout kimchi, stir-fried Japanese eggplant, BBQ pit beans, butter lettuce and bean sprout salad, Korean BBQ sauce, scallion sauce, and steamed jasmine rice.  The eggplant was a favorite of the table.

For dessert, I ordered a round of Fat Dragon’s famed soft serve ice cream.  That night’s flavor: pandan.

The happy couple

Akemi says: “Oishiiii!”.

In addition, Simon gifted me a box of belated birthday chocolate and macarons.  They were incredible, especially the pumpkin macarons!

Like my birthday dinner at Campagnolo, Chef Ted Anderson was the man behind the meal.  A big thanks to him and the rest of the gang at Fat Dragon/Campagnolo/Campagnolo Roma.

Well, after two big meals, Akemi has decided to eat soup for the foreseeable future.

Tagged: Fat Dragon, Ganache, Ganache Patisserie, hog dinner, Romer's Burger Bar, Vancouver Restaurants, whole hog

October 24, 2012: Are you serious?!!

In Italy, a group of scientists was found guilty of manslaughter for failing to predict a devastating earthquake.  I’m sorry.  I must have missed the major headline.  Since when did earthquake-prediction become an exact science?  In this case, following some preliminary tremors, an Italian scientist was asked if said tremors were the prelude to a much bigger quake.  He said it seemed unlikely.  And so, because an earthquake DID strike and he was proven (sort of) wrong, he and his team were found guilty of manslaughter.  Conversely, if he had answered: “It seemed likely.” and an earthquake DIDN’T strike, would he have been charged for inciting panic and charged the costs of the evacuation?  From Galileo to the L’Aquila earthquake: Italian science on trial

You’re alone at night, closing up shop, when some armed men burst into your place of work.  You have an opportunity to escape out an open window.  What do you do?  Save your life?  Apparently, that sort of behavior if frowned upon at Arby’s.  Arby’s Employee Fired After Fleeing Armed Robbery: ‘I’m Not Going to Die in Arby’s Tonight’

Robo-squirrels, Moroccan pottery classes, and talking urinal cakes. Your tax dollars at work: Wastebook

One more reason real books are better than digital books: Woman’s Kindle account closed  Apparently, even though you’re paying full price for the digital version, you don’t own it.  You’re only renting.

For real?  The 10 Worst Facebook Fails

Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular, Debra.  Condolences on your loss.

October 23, 2012: Goodbye, Baby

His first name is lost to time.  It was a French name I recall. Michoux? Michaud?  Something like that.  But when we adopted him, we renamed him, choosing Baby over runner-up Sasquatch.  And, over the course of his 15+ years, he was a little of both: frisky, grumpy, playful, troublesome but, always, oh-so-adorable.  I suspect he even had a little dog in his DNA, demonstrating a most un-catlike disregard for personal hygiene that marked his colorful personality (and, unfortunately for him, lead to the necessity for the funny lion cut pictured above), as well as a propensity for extended sneezing fits.

Like most of our animal companions, he went through an early butterball phase, the result of days spent eating, lounging about, and, generally, lying in wait to pounce on the sockless unwary.  In later years, that fluffy lion cut concealed an emaciated frame ravaged by disease.  And yet, despite the early prognosis, Baby proved himself a fighter.  Time and again, he looked to be in his final days and, time and again, he bounced back, resuming his pesky, obstinate, adorably cranky ways.

But these last few days proved too much for him and, last night, Baby finally passed away, peacefully, according to my sis, purring and cuddling to the end.

He was a little guy with a very big personality.  And he will be missed.

I dedicate today’s blog to mom and my cousin, Marolyn, Daisy, and, especially, my sis who took such great care of Baby, especially in his final few months.

October 22, 2012: The Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews Batman Begins!

Batman Begins fantastik but END just better den average.  Direktor Christopher Nolan use Richard Donner Superman as a guide and, strukturally, both movies very similar  wit strong, backstory-rich, character-driven first halves dat eventually give way to typikal nonsensical-actiony back halves.  Direktion and cinematography are brilliant while akting and writing are good – for de most part.

A young Bruce Wayne fall into well where he attacked by bats.  Dis begin life-long phobia/obsession wit de flying rodents.  Sort of like Grover except instead of well, he stumble into de Muppet & Jam Pub, and instead of bats it be Glenlivet, but you get de idea.  Anyway, young Bruce’s week go from bad to worse when -

Dad leave young Bruce wit final message: “Don’t be afraid.  And always hire someone to program your universal remote.”

His parents killed by two-bit thug during botched robbery.  And so, Orphan Bruce raised by cockney butler, Alfred, played by Michael Caine in one of movie’s many strong points.  Alfred prove alternately firm, warm and supportive, a strong father figure wit a wry sense of humor.  De type of dad you want helping you wit your homework and backing you up in a bar fight.

Bruce all grown up

Bruce grow up, obsessed wit twin notions of fear and justice.  Dis preoccupation take him to Asia where he go undercover as smuggler – only to get as busted as Big Bird at a Korean massage parlor.  He end up in prison where he reskued by mysterious man who go by name Ducard.  Ducard work for man called Razalgool, leader of ninja club called League of Shadows.  Dey seem like a nice, capable bunch and Bruce train wit dem.  BUT when he asked to kill poor farmer guilty of crime, Bruce refuse because it go against his moral code – so, instead, he end up burning down de clubhouse killing Razalgool, a bunch of ninjas and, oh yeah, dat poor farmer.

Bruce return to Gotham city where he resume life – much to surprise of everyone who thought he was dead.  Using tech from Wayne Corp. R&D, he create Batman persona and go out at night, fighting crime wit help of Sergeant Jim Gordon, one of few good cops in Gotham.  Like Michael Caine, Gary Oldman deliver terrific supporting performance, playing off equally great Christian Bale who be de best Batman yet – and pretty darn good Bruce Wayne as well.  Still, monster feel Bale’s Brucey missing touch of charm.

Rounding out Bruce’s inner circle be next-to-meaningless charakter of childhood friend and assistant distrikt attorney, Rachel Dawes, played by Katie Holmes.  Oof. Holmes bring nothing to nothing role and only apparent purpose of Rachel be to get captured and reskued from dis guy -

Scarecrow!

Villainous scarecrow lacing Gotham water supply with fear additive.  But it only work when breathed in.  Luckily for his mysterious boss, he get his hands on water vaporizer (?) from Wayne Corp.  Mysterious boss turn out to be – surprise! – Razalgool who not really dead and really – surprise! – Ducard!  After kicking crap out of Bruce Wayne and burning down Wayne manor, Raz plan to use water vaporizer to aerosolize fear additive in water supply and create chaos on Gotham!  Why?  Well, um, he a villain and villains do bad tings, right?

Batman to de reskue!

Final thirty minutes of movie as ridikulous as bad guy’s plan.  It include a speeding train, hysterical citizens, and Jim Gordon using Batmomissiles to take out tracks.  It all a bit silly, especially in comparison to rest of movie dat been pretty brilliant up to dis point.

Verdikt: One of de best superhero movies me have reviewed (minus Katie Holmes) until de last 30 minutes.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10 chocolate chippee cookies.