Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 23

February 3, 2025: First full day in Osaka!

One of the things we most looked forward to on our return trip to Osaka was a return visit to Glitch Coffee.

Just step right up and tell the guy behind the counter what you’re looking for in terms of flavor profiles and he will recommend something, let you smell the beans, and then, once decided have his partner make you a cup.

While that’s happening, grab a seat at any one of the comfy chairs or couches…

I had the Ethiopia Sidama Tamiru Alo Berry whose flavor profile lists black tea and blueberry.  It is described as milky and balanced.  Akemi, meanwhile, opted for the Columbia Huila el Mirador that is apparently fermented with strawberries and whose flavor profile includes raspberry, pomegranate, and apricot with a sweet and juicy finish.  I thought they were both wonderful, but really loved the Columbia with its delightfully unique finish.  So much so, that I’ll be heading back tomorrow morning for a cup – and will be buying a few bags of coffee beans for the trip home (one for my sister, one for my buddy Ivon who has a coffee maker we’ll be making use of, and one for our private stash).

Where the magic happens.

Oishikatta!

We went backs to the hotel and did some laundry, caught up on the latest news, then headed one block over to Sushi Sora for a sushi lunch.

I’m not really day drinker so I only had a single carafe of sake with lunch.

The sushi was terrific but Akemi, assuming she’d still be full from our Sushiso Masa feast, put us down for the entry-level sushi course – eight pieces of sushi (in addition to two soups).  Masa, on the other hand, served roughly eight times that much sushi.  The price points were, of course, very different and I was offered the opportunity to order additional pieces, but elected to pass and look forward to a big dessert.

Akemi can never pass up one of these photo ops.

Why, yes.  Now that you mention it, they ARE new sunglasses.  Thanks for noticing.

This little whiskey museum near our hotel shows off some very unique bottles.

Wonder how the harp whiskey tastes.

Another little oasis in the heart of the city.

We dropped by the Osaka outpost of Green Dog, one of Akemi’s favorite pet shops where we picked up even more treats for Sharky.  That boy is spoiled!

Battling this huge dog for Sharky’s treats!

We were going to check out this sleek coffee shop called Lohe, but a cursory scan of the dessert offerings underwhelmed.  They were described as terrines but looked like those meager squares that miraculously contain an entire meal’s worth of calories from the 1970’s sci-fi movies.

Akemi trying to get in on the mushrooms head action.

Came across this interesting-looking group.

I suspect they were on their lunch break from the six-legged pentathlon.

No photos. No food.  Not dogs.  No bikes.  No bombs.  What CAN you bring inside?!

We finally stop for some dessert and matcha.  The matcha latte was great but the chestnut shortcake was a little too light.

Oh, damn.  Who can resist a dessert shop named Drooly?

I went with the financiers, honey-gorgonzola and chocolate-honey-camembert

I actually preferred the honey-gorgonzola

Tonight, we went out for dinner with Akemi’s mother, sister, and brother.  I had the standard grilled in sauce while Akemi always goes for the shirayaki, sauceless and seasoned only with salt.  Apparently, Tokyo and Osaka prepare their eels differently.  In Tokyo, it’s grilled, steamed, then grilled again before being brushed with sauce whereas, in Osaka, they grill it with the sauce.  I prefer the latter.

The Aota clan.

Tomorrow, it’s our second full day in Osaka.  Akemi is getting her hair done so I’ll be left to wander.  Wish me luck!

The post February 3, 2025: First full day in Osaka! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

February 2, 2025: Osaka-bound!

Rainy morning in Tokyo.  The plan was to wake up early and head to Tsukiji for breakfast before checking out and catching the shinkansen to Osaka, but it was dark and rainy when we left he hotel and, some twelve steps out the door, Akemi had second thoughts and returned to the nice cosy hotel room.  I persevered and eventually made it to Tsukiji where I discovered that my horumon bowl shop was closed.  I don’t know.  Maybe they open late on weekends.  As a result, I headed back to the hotel, finished packing, and then Akemi and I checked out and headed over to Tokyo Station.

We picked up breakfast/lunch before boarding: onigiri for her and an uni/ikura/toro bowl for me.

I also picked up a back-up Maisen katsu sando, just in case.

Back in Osaka

Perusing the department store bakeries

An Osaka institution = Go Go Ichi!

Classic fatty pork buns

Back at our favorite boutique hotel in Osaka

The hotel laundry room

Kick back and enjoy a coffee while you wait for your shirts to dry.

I’m a big fan of the Kouign-amman and this one, caramelized to a mahogany finish caught my eye.  Pretty damn delicious.

This curious mini-shrine in the heart of the city

Spotted on the streets of Osaka

Whenever we’re in town, I always stop by Palet d’Or…

And pick up the big box of Dassai chocolates

Free goodies station.  Fruit, candy…

And sake for Setsubun!

We ate dinner in tonight, take-out from one of the nearby department store’s food levels.  The choices are unbelievable.  Akemi had sashimi while I had a mackerel burger.  We split two salads, seaweed and lotus root.  Try finding that at your local JC Penney.

P.S. At liquor stores here, you can acually buy a shot before buying.  I’ve got my eye on a bottle of Rowan’s Creek.

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February 1, 2025: Tokyo Day #3!

I had a zoom pitch early this morning, still hungover from that 60+ pieces of sushi/double sake carafe feast from last night.  And I thought it went pretty well.  Anyway, here are a few of the highlights from last night’s dinner I didn’t get around to posting as part of yesterday’s entry…

Always the culinary highlight of our trip to Tokyo

Chef Masa is a firm believer in the unifying power of anime in bringing people together regardless of culture or language – which is why he adorns his bathroom with his favorite anime, One Piece.

Akemi’s post-Masa breakfast: lots of veggies and a very tart dressing

Back at the Sanya coffee truck for some morning mocha

We started our day with a trip to Omotesando and the weekend farmer’s market.

Akemi explored the special pet section where she loaded up on treats for Sharky.

This woman catches her own fish which she air dries and packages.  Akemi picked up some barracuda, sweetish and eel for Sharky.

Picked up a package of salted black pepper I got the last time I was here.

Today’s lunch: food truck tacos.

There’s never a garbage can around when you need one.

Akemi picks up a giant sweet strawberry

If I lived in Japan, my daily fruit intake would probably triple

And, of course, Akemi picked up some tea

Also, there’s something about visiting Japan that always makes me want to eat oranges

These oranges were unbelievable.  The brother, left, drove 8 hours to be here for the market while his sister, right, lends a hand.

Don’t ask

We checked out the Omotesando location of Gentle Monster, the South Korean sunglass shop getting all the buzz

The interior decor was as weird as their sunglasses

The Tekken shades

What do you think?

We took a stroll through the side streets of Omotesando

We stopped by Cafe Kitsune for the usual: single shot soy cappuccino for her and mocha for me.  This place was originally established by a Japanese ex-pat in Paris before opening this Tokyo location.

I take in the uniquely Japanese experience of waiting 45 for donuts

Success!  This place, I Am Donut?, is the greatest donut.  I always get a couple of pistachio creams and some random donut while Akemi always goes for the original, simple powdered sugar.  Unfortunately we were so excited that we inhaled them in less than three minutes – and forgot to take pics.  But we’ll be back!

Two blocks down is Nanaya Aoyama, home to some great matcha gelato

Choose from 7 levels of intensity.  Number 7 also uses a pricier, higher end matcha.

I went with Number 7 of course.

No food colorings or special filter used here.  This is the gelato’s natural color.  Bittersweet and not overly intense.

Akemi is usually pretty shy in public…UNTIL she comes across one of these cutout things for your head.  Then she’s is ALL IN.

An early evening stroll through Shimbashi and dinner at Himawari.  Akemi was in the mood for tongue.

My mikan (orange) sour looks like a lava lamp

Out of concern that I was not eating enough veggies, Akemi ordered a bunch as side plates (not picture).  Pictured: the stewed tongue was fall-apart tender.

The grilled tongue had a little more bite, and was delicious with yuzu kosho

This is how Akemi gets me to eat lettuce.  By ensuring its rolled in pork belly

Shimbashi at night

Coming back for the garlic karage

Some Louis Vuitton collab

Since we’re taking the late morning shinkansen to Osaka tomorrow, we decided to do some laundry tonight.  On our last trip, Akemi sent me back to pick up our clothes and I couldn’t figure out how to open the damn machine.  She came downstairs and was like: “You just push this button.  It says write here.”  Right.  The instructions are so easy to follow…

We usually spend a couple of days in Osaka but, on this trip, we’ll be spending double that because, when Akemi made our trip, she was under the impression that she may have to take a few days to deal with a Japanese citizenship issue…that her sister ended up solving in less than a day.  So, looking forward to really making the most of Osaka!

The post February 1, 2025: Tokyo Day #3! appeared first on Joseph Mallozzi's Weblog.

January 31, 2025: Tokyo Day #2!

As usual, Akemi has been having a harder time adjusting to the time change.  While I slept through most of the night, she was up until 4:00 a.m.  As a result, I let her sleep in this morning and headed out for a solo trip to Tsukiji market.  I arrived at a little after 7:00 a.m. and, after much deliberation, settled on another horumon bowl breakfast.  I also had some tuna nigiri and then, on the way back to the hotel, picked Akemi up a strawberry daifuku for breakfast.

I got back just in time for my zoom and pre-pre-pre-pitch.  After some discussion and readjusting, ti was decided we would reconvene tomorrow morning for yet another pre-pre-pre pitch.

Pistachiomania is sweeping through Tokyo!

We did some strolling and then ended up at our lunch spot, Showan, a soba restaurant Akemi has been looking forward to trying out.

I had the katsudon.  Akemi raved about the dashi and booked a return dinner visit for later in our stay.

From there, we headed over to Tokyo Station where Akemi bought up tickets for the shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka.

I am intrigued by this tiny dessert shop called “God Bless Butter”.

“Art”

Every time I visit Japan and try their fruit, I’m always amazed at how shit our fruit back home tastes in comparison.  I tried two different simple grocery store oranges and they were both fantastic: juicy and sweet.

This afternoon, we checked out Azabudai Hills, sister complex to Roppongi Hills, a high-end shopping complex.

It’s a beautiful neighborhood and the complex is vast, but it’s somewhat sparse with plenty of floor space dedicated to not all that many shops.

The foot traffic was modest while, in the retail shops, I noted staff outnumbered customers by about 3 to 1.

The museums within the complex were, on the other hand, fairly busy – especially the Pokemon exhibit.

Akemi and I checked out an anime-themed art exhibit that featured the works of quite a few high-profile artists.

Quite a few cool pieces.  Most of it already sold.

While a few others were quite pricey…

Some really interesting pieces…

For dinner, we went to one of our very favorite sushi restaurants, Sushiso Masa, where, on our last trip, we enjoyed approximately 5o pieces of sushi and Akemi left feeling fit to burst.  This time, it was between 50-60 pieces ranging from the traditional to the out-of-the-ordinary.  But all delicious.  Akemi tapped out early but I gamely completed the entire feast.  I’ll post the highlights in tomorrow’s entry as it’s already pretty late and I have another early morning Tsukiji Market breakfast followed by yet another pre-pre-pre-pitch.

22,000+ steps today!  I may actually lose weight on this trip!

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January 30, 2025: Tokyo Day #1!

We dropped Sharky off with his home stay family on Monday night and then, Tuesday at noon, boarded a flight for Japan!

Taking care of business before the flight.

The 14 hour flight was unremarkable.  I checked out two crime shows – Bookie and Based on a True Story – which were, uh, not good, much like the in-flight meals.  Akemi, never a good flyer, was sick.  We got into Tokyo a half hour later than scheduled, caught the metro to Ginza, and checked into our hotel before making the short walk to Akemi’s favorite yakitori spot, Marugen for skewers and yuzu sours…

Seseri (chicken neck meat) Bonjiri (chicken butts, my favorites)

It’s great to be back!

We went to sleep at 9:30 p.m. (which was 7:30 a.m. our time).  We were pretty exhausted.

\

This morning we were up at the crack of done and, as is the custom, made the 15 minute walk to the Tsukiji market for my favorite horumon bowl at Kitsunaya.

Even though it was a little before 7:00 a.m., there was already a lineup!

The horumon is labeled from the giant simmering pot into your bowls –

I got mine with onsen tamago (63 degree egg).  If you’re a fan of offal, this is the breakfast of champions.

An earl morning stroll through the fish market.

We grabbed a coffee and a matcha at this little bean buggy – Sanya Coffee.  Follow them on Instagram (@sanya.coffee) for 50 cents off your next purchase!  They only have 117 followers so throw them a follow!

Akemi checking out the beer garden restaurant.  It’s closed.

What the heck is dark beer lasagna?

For lunch, we headed to Roppongi…

My favorite Japanese crime show.

Wolfman Barber Shop

It’s my year – The Year of the Snake!

Lounging on the buta.

Akemi comes across this by an old temple and could not resist.

Akemi shows off her bowl of cold udon at Tsurutontan.

Akemi with the giant spider at Roppongi Hills.

A tiny oasis in the heart of the city.

I ordered two pistachio-chocolate desserts at Jean-Paul Hevin.  Akemi helped out.

Dinner was an okay unagi meal after which we strolled through Ginza because it was too damn early to go to bed been though we were exhausted.

We wandered in a Squid Game pop-up event…

Then stumbled upon a whiskey museum that boasted easily over a thousand bottles of very very expensive high-end whiskey including…

 Considering I used to buy Yamazaki 18 now goes for about $1200/bottle (I used to pick them up for $200/bottle back in the day), I cannot imagine how much the 55 year old goes for.

Akemi and I liked these bottles, reminiscent of supermarket honey.

Also, this dog-themed Suntory.

Space Cats at Ginza-6!

Finally, stopped off at Palet D’Or and picked up some of my favorite sake chocolates.

Delicious.

Tomorrow, we’re doing the Tsukiji fish market for breakfast again, grabbing a coffee, and then I have to be back in the hotel at 8:30 a.m. for another one of those pre-pitches!

21,500+ steps today!  Good thing I brought comfy shoes.

 

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January 29, 2025: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye this week…

Psylocke #3 – cover art by Ramon Villalobos

Storm: Lifedream #1 – cover art by Taurin Clarke

X-Men #10 – cover art by Lesley “Leirix” Li

X-Men #10 – cover art by Ryan Stegman

Green Lantern #19 – cover art by Ariel Colon

Superman: Lex Luthor Special #1 – cover art by Eber Ferreira, Eddy Barrows

So, which were your favorites?

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January 28, 2025: My Outer Limits Top 10 Episodes!

My Top 10 Outer Limits episodes

10  The Zanti Misfits
Embracing its b-movie trappings, this one is delightfully goofy fun.

9  Hundred Days of the Dragon
Really enjoyed this Outer Limits version of The Manchurian Candidate.

8  ZZZZZ
This one doesn’t rank highly among most fans of the show, but I absolutely loved its loopy premise and uber-weird performance by Bee Queen Joanna Frank.

7  The Forms of Things Unknown
This one really felt like an indie feature, chock full of strange narrative elements and fascinating directorial choices. One of the show’s best-looking episodes by far.

6  The Bellero Shield
A great episode highlighted by an affable alien light being who steals the shows.

5  The Architects of Fear
An absolutely bizarre plot (that seemingly inspired Alan Moore in Watchmen) that culminates in a shocking and sad conclusion. Some neat directorial flourishes here.

4  The Inheritors I and II
A bit of a slow start but it comes together nicely in a memorable and surprisingly hopeful ending

3  The Sixth Finger
David McCallum is terrific as the rapidly evolving Gwyllim doomed to progress beyond simple humanity.

2  A Feasibility Study
Producer Joseph Stefano’s first script for the show is a top-notch entry that really feels like a mini movie. Terrific performances and an ending that proves both dark yet uplifting.

1  Demon with a Glass Hand
Writer Harlan Ellison at his finest. A touching tale replete with weird sci-fi elements capped by a surprising final twist.

Honorable Mentions: The Guests, The Invisible Enemy, Soldier

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January 27, 2025: Lunch with Bob and the Columbo-viewing schedule is up!

Akemi and I are in low-key scramble mode as we prepare to head off to Japan on Tuesday.  We are semi-packed and prepared and making some last minute tweaks to our itinerary.  And, of course, I’ve had to squeeze in a couple of zoom meetings this afternoon to tide me over during my two-week stay in Tokyo and Osaka.  We’ve looked to stay home for the remaining few days but, Saturday, I received a text from our old friend Robert Picardo who has been in town shooting that new Star Trek series.  He is close to wrapped and ready to head back home and suggested we get together before he leaves.  Well, as it turned out, Sunday was the only day we (and he) had available, and so yesterday, Akemi and I packed up Sharky and his dehydrated duck foot, picked up some aburi sushi and ice cream, and headed over to Bob’s place for what turned out to be a wonderful lunch.

Akemi and Sharky with Bob in his natural habitat = the kitchen.

On the menu today = his famed arugula and spinach pizza.  And one of my absolute favorites.  The first time I tried this was that time we dropped by Bob’s home in Pasadena while we were there for an industry event in celebration of Stargate’s 200th episode.

Bob even went out and picked up a pizza slicer for the occasion!

Also on the menu, this delicious cheese pizza that proved Akemi’s favorite.

Another shot of the arugula-spina pie.  I could eat this all day.  And practically did.

Cooking up the parpadelle with tomato sauce, tuna, and black olives.

Messy, but absolutely delicious as well.

We had a great time catching up with Bob who, upon his recent back to California, will be preparing to embark on a Star Trek cruise with the rest of the Voyager cast – and hundreds of fans.  It sounds like he’s got a lot of fun activities planned (If you’re taking the cruise, you’re in for a treat!) and almost makes me want to go on one of those themed cruises.  Almost.  The last (and first) time I was on cross was memorable for all the wrong reason.  But, who knows?  Maybe the right theme would convince me to board.  A Stargate cruise?  A Dark Matter cruise?  Maybe a Columbo cruise?

Speaking of which, we kick off our Columbo watch party after our return in mid-February.  As promised, we’ll be adopting a more leisurely pace of 2 episodes a week.  I own the dvd’s and am curious where everyone else will be watching?  Is it available to view for free in your area?  Do tell.  Help out your fellow watchers.

Here’s the Columbo viewing schedule…

Monday, February 17th: Prescription Murder Friday, February 21st: Ransom for a Dead ManMonday, February 24th: Murder by the BookFriday, February 28th: Death Lends a HandMonday, March 3rd: Dead WeightFriday, March 7th: Suitable for Framing Monday, March 10th: Lady in WaitingFriday, March 14th: Short FuseMonday, March 17th: Blueprint for MurderFriday, March 21st: Etude in BlackMonday, March 24th: The Greenhouse JungleFriday, March 28th: The Most Crucial GameMonday, March 31st: Dagger of the MindFriday, April 4th: Requiem for a Falling StarMonday, April 7th: A Stitch in CrimeFriday, April 11th: The Most Dangerous Match Monday, April 14th: Double ShockWill you be joining us?

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January 26, 2025: Sharky Sunday!

He likes his Brussel sprouts!

Ready to head out!

The Nap King…

Out and about…

Messy eater…

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January 25, 2025: Columbo, Stargate, Dark Matter, and zooms!

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After sorting out the technical issues in Maricopa County, the final results are in! Columbo seasons 1 and 2 will be our next rewatch starting in mid-February (dates to be announced). Get ready for trivia, behind-the-scenes insights and one more thing…

Check out this beauty, The Bilskirnir class Asgard Mothership, coming your way this May from Master Replica.  Place your pre-order here!

And while we’re on the topic of Stargate, I came across this interesting headline –

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Hmmmm

Meanwhile, going through some old digital files and came across this awesome work from artist Jeff Bartzis on Dark Matter’s second season…

DM 2.9 Dwarf Star

Cool, no?

Three more days until we’re Tokyo-bound.  And I have two zoom meetings scheduled for Monday, the day before we leave.  I’ve got a pre-pre-pre-pre-pre Mote in God’s Eye pitch, and meet-and-greet with a company interested in my cozy mystery series.  And looks like I’ll have one more zoom, back to a pre-pre-pre=pre-pitch for that international action-adventure series, Saturday morning in Tokyo.  That one will be interesting.

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