The Snowlady Chronicles

Ryugin - A Very Fancy Dining Experience

 Sunday February 1, 2015

Tokyo, Japan

Sunny, Windy, Cold with Fabulous View of Mt. Fuji

 

So, I'm still catching up on posts.  This one I was to post back in November but work caught up with me.  Given this is the first weekend since the beginning of the year I did not have to go to work, I decided to write a blog about another fabulous culinary experience instead of catching up on episodes on BlackList.

Anyhow, back in November 2014 on a cold night, I took one of my colleagues at work to a Michelin 3 star restaurant as an early Xmas gift.  She has and still is doing lots for me to support my work and my team.

So since I was able to get a table for two at Ryugin,  I decided to invite her to enjoy this special meal with me.

First impression,  very elegant.  The entire restaurant is decorated in a modern Japanese way featuring dragons everywhere.  I  understand that the Ryu of Ryugin is dragon.  And the food did not disappoint.  It was pure poetry filled with delicate sensations and tastes.  And the china, oh my,  antiques that are older than the US of A!

To start with, the chef began with 3 dishes to get us ready for the different sensations we are to experience during the meal.  We started with 2 hot dishes and a cold dish which represent the season, aromas, temperature, texture and art of the entire meal.

Sea Urchin and Turnip in a warm stock

I want this bowl!

Left:  warm and silky cod fish milt(yes you read it right) and Right: Abalone sashimi

The next dish captures a moment in the wind at Sanin Bay

Matsuba Crab Clear Soup

served in a special lacquer bowl

The next dish represents the richness of the sea.

7 delicacies from the Ocean

And then the power of fire

Kinki Fish from Hokkaido stuffed with grilled eggplant, served with Taro Potato and Chestnut

Representing the grace of the hometown which is Kagawa -

Sanuki Olive Beef on stoneware sukiyaki style

And then to represent the longing for eternity -

Kabayaki (eel) -Don with Egg-Tofu Chrysanthemum Soup and Pickles

And ended with Lusciousness

First a cold and refreshing jello like texture with tangerine

Followed by a dessert flavored with cold and hot sake which was delicious and hard to describe as I've never had anything like it

And ended with delicious Matcha tea

It was yet another amazing culinary experience in Japan.  The chef was so nice that he actually thanked us for coming and saw us out when we left.  Highly recommend this place if you can get reservations!

Noma in Tokyo - An Extraordinary Culinary Experience

 Sunday January 11, 2015

Tokyo, Japan

Sunny and Great View of Mt. Fuji!

 

Tokyo is the Gastronomy Capital of the World.  I repeat Tokyo is the Gastronomy Capital of the World.  It is not only very difficult to get a bad meal here but it also has the most Michelin star restaurants than any other city in the world  and now is home to the Best Restaurant in the World - Noma.  Noma is here in Tokyo at the Mandarin Oriental for only about a month.  I was very very fortunate to experience Noma because of a very generous offer from a good friend - Jia.  He had a table for 4 and invited me to join him for lunch.  Wow!  Lucky, lucky me.  I can honestly say my tastebuds experienced flavors that were one of a kind and the first for me.   Noma is known for re-inventing Nordic cuisine but here in Japan, using local ingredients, I believe he re-invented Japanese cuisine that is native and from the sea and land of Japan. 

The meal started with a big bang:  Freshly killed langoustine flavored with salt from Kochi and vinegar from Ants.  They used special ants found in the woods in Japan.  Fortunately, my langoustine was not moving but Jia's was which freaked me out a bit, but I have to say it was delicious.  Yes, I was hesistant to eat ants but I'd rather eat ants than a cute bunny.  Jia and I had the juice pairing, while his beautiful girlfriend and friend from Shanghai had the wine pairing.  My first juice was made from pine, yuzu and apple.

Second course was a variety of citrus which was refreshing.  It was seasoned with kelp oil from Kochi and a special Okinawa peppercorn (a bit spicy).  I've never had kelp oil before and now have to figure out how to get it or make it.  It's quite delicious.

Third couse was frozen smoked monkfish liver on toast from a special bakery in Hokkaido.  We had to eat it fast before the monkfish melted.  I've never experienced such delicate texture and taste in my entire life.

I forgot to take a picture of the dipping sauce but the next dish was cuttlefish cut like soba and seasoned with kelp.  The dipping sauce was made from light dashi, pine and roses.  You ate it like soba.  The cuttlefish was divine.  The dipping sauce was delish but I preferred it without eating the rose petals as the rose petals were a bit overpowering for me.

The next dish, OMG!  I could eat a whole pie of this!   Clam tart.  Pastry is made from seaweed, with the most delicate clams and a wild kiwi paste.  I've never had wild kiwi before!  Apparently they are tiny. And this variety of kiwis are native to Japan.  I had no idea!

Before our next dish, came our next juice pairing which was a cucumber and seaweed juice.  The juices alone are savory but with the food, delish!

Next dish was also one of my favorites.  Fresh tofu with walnut, miso and a parsley yuzu sauce.  I have to find out how to make this!  I wanted to lick the bowl it was so good!  (for those of you who know me, know that I love tofu!)

Next dish was scallop fudge.  yes.. scallop fudge.  Basically, it's aerated scallops (took scallops, dried them, aerated them) with an oil sauce made from beechnut and kelp oils.  Again,  delish!  One of my favorites.

Next dish was a very light and refreshing pumpkin with katsuo bushi, roasted seaweed, koji and roasted cherry flowers.   Beautiful, refreshing and heavenly

It was served with a too beautiful to drink, pumpkin, goosberry and geranium juice.  The smell was divine

Next up, adult "candy".  Basically origami flower of  30 day fermented garlic seasoned with ants.  Apparently garlic gets leathery when fermented.

And then to one of my favorites which does not sound appetizing when you hear how its made but wow, another one of my favorites.  Cured egg yolk (egg yolk cured in fermented beef broth) with local roots: lotus, potatoes, etc served in a koji butter sauce.  Ginger was served on the side (just like gari)

Time for our next drink - Cepes, Morels, lemongrass and pine to....

To go with the smoked/roasted whole duck that freaked me out a bit.  I don't usually eat duck as I  cannot kill them as they mate for life and are sweet animals.  But I do agree, that if you are going to eat an animal, honor it and eat every part of it.  I had a taste and it was good, especially the sauce that was served on the side with a japanese wild blueberry sauce.  The Japanese blueberry is very different from the ones you find in the US.

Next up was turnip (kabu) in a mushroom broth with parsley, koji and yuzu sauce.  Delish.  That sauce, oh my!

Last juice:  sweet koji, water, kafir limes and juniper

Next dish.. one of my favorites.  I want to eat this everyday.  Rice ice cream.  Rice w/sake lees, milk crumble in a sorrel yuzu sauce.

And near the end, sweet potato sizzling as it was slow cooked all day with a caramel butter sauce.  Served with a wild kiwi, geranium and coriandar dipping sauce.

And the finale!  fermented cepe mushrooms covered in chocolate with cinnamon root to chew like tobacco.  And ultimate dish which was full of umami.  I had it with their famous lemongrass  mint tea.

About 3 hours later, I was stuffed and dazzled.  Dazzled because I truly never tasted the flavors I've experienced.  This dining experience has been unforgettable and will be talking about until the day I die!

 

Jimbocho Den

 December 14, 2014

Tokyo, Japan

Sunny and Crisp

 

Late this summer, I had an opportunity to go to one of the hottest restaurants in Tokyo called Jimbocho Den.  Chef Hasegawa is known to be very friendly and talented.  The restaurant got a Michelin star only shortly after opening.  I have to say, it was one of the best and enjoyable meals I've had in Japan.  Everyone in the restaurant was friendly and was having fun while cooking.  In addition, they have been very accomodating about my dietary restrictions - no pork or foie gras.  

The entrance is very unassuming so easy to miss

The decor is understated and beautiful

My meal started with this beautifully cooked (sou vite, I believe) ayu

Followed by a roasted fish (can't remember what kind)

All of their dinnerware is specially made

And his signature dish - fried chicken served in a box

with a list of his favorite restaurants

And the best fried chicken I've had

Followed by delicious Buri (fish) with beets.  Never had anything so good..

And paired with recommended sake

Mackerel roasted on a leaf!

Their signature salad.  Best salad ever

With another type of sake

Followed by a light soup flavored with matsutake mushrooms

And the last dish:  Rice cooked with fresh ikura.  Just as good as from Sushi Saito

And a traditional Japanese dessert combined with Western influence (cheese)

The chef

As I could not finish the rice, the chef made me rice balls to take home which I had for breakfast the next day

Weekend Brunch - San Francisco Peaks

November 8, 2014

Tokyo, Japan

Drizzly

Still playing catch up on my blogging.  On a hot August Saturday, i had a craving for steak and eggs.  Google search recommended San Francisco Peaks in Harajuku.  It was hard to find but and I almost gave up but glad I didn't.  Its a great place to have an Amercian breakfast and I like the fact that they have chicken and beef sausages for folks like me who don't eat pork.  Prices were reasonable and the food was delicious.  The scrambled eggs were perfect and divine.  And the freshly made hashed browns were yummy. Highly recommend it. 

Weekend Brunch - Sant Pau

Sunday August 17, 2014

Tokyo, Japan

Foggy and Cool for August Weather

 

Way back on a hot July weekend, I stumbled into a gorgeous restaurant hidden in the courtyard of the Coredo Building in Nihonbashi.  The restaurant is called Sant Pau.  I had no idea it was a restaurant as all I saw where men and women in chefs' uniforms busily working around a gorgeous kitchen.  So I thought it was a cooking school and walked in.  Well when one walks in one quickly realizes it is a fancy restaurant.  And to my surprise is was Sant Pau which is where a friend of mine is treating me to dinner in September!  Since I was there, decided to have my weekend brunch at the restaurant.  The restaurant is gorgeous.  Fortunately for me, there were a lot of cancellations because a typhoon  past by Tokyo the day before.  Lucky me!

The restaurant is an outpost of the Michelin 3 Star Catalan restaurant owned by a super nice female celebrity chef  Carmen Ruscalleda.  The Tokyo restaurant has 2 Michelin stars and is worth every star.  Carmen selects the monthly menu and actually does the drawings of the dishes on the menu.  The food is very modern with Catalan influence and local fresh ingredients.  I was there for about 1.5 hours and enjoying every bite of the delicate food that was brought to me. 

I am so fortunate to live in Tokyo - the world's best Foodie city - where I get to enjoy food from top chefs from around the world.  I highly recommend Restaurant Sant Pau because the service is impeccable (they adjusted the menu for me as I don't eat certain things) and the food is exquisite!

The Menu

Lunch started with a really good rice cracker!

Followed by three beautiful teasers:  Anchovy Brocheta, olive and tomato - Padron pepper and rice croquette - Radish "techno"

The radish "techno" was actually a hazelnut covered with a delicate chocolate raspberry frosting

Then the "real" appetizers came out:  First melon, moscatel wine and scallops (this appetizer was a substitue and the one in the menu with an iberico ham appetizer)

Second appetizer:  transparent sushi with yogurt sauce

Now to one of my favorite dishes:  Tomato and Watermelon Velvet with prawn, basil and junsai

Pizza?  no!  It's Mackerel Coca (Catalan version of pizza)  with muscat, mozzarella and oregano

Squid stuffed with tricolor paprika, squid ink.  I'm not a squid fan but this was so tender and delicious!

Second favorite dish:  Amadai with saffron and wasabina sauce.  I could have licked the plate!

For a main dish, the choice was Iberian pork or Guneafowl with european lobster.  Of course, I had the guneafowl with lobster.  Not a big fan on "dark meet" fowl but this one was great!

Then the cheese course, where I was instructed to start at the left.  The drawings on the cheese menu were done by Chef Carmen.  So from left to right:  Valency Goat Cheese w/Cherry Porto,  Brillat Savarin w/Chicory and Endive, Mao w/Butternut squash/walnut/honey, Percorino Sardo w/Watermelon and Grape, Cashel Blue with Irish coffee cake

After the delicious cheese, it was time for a palate cleanser - foamy yogurt!

The Dessert:  Mango and Shiso with passion fruit and sable.  Never thought shiso and Mango will go together

And the highlight of the lunch:  Chocolate from Madagascar, Ecuador and Venezuela.  Look how beautifully it is presented:  Madagascar - Manjari with raspberries, Ecuador- Alpaco with spices,  Venezuela - Rare Araguani with pecan

And for the finale a platter of very pretty and delicious confectionery

 

Weekend Brunch - Bubby's Tokyo

Saturday July 26

San Francisco, California

Gorgeous weather

Meant to post this weeks ago but got caught up in other stuff so posting from my iPad at SFO after a great one week vacation to Cabo San Lucas and SF. Three weeks ago for brunch took Ms Yuki to Bubby's for one of my favorite brunch dishes - poached eggs with spinach on an English muffin with hollandaise sauce. I have to say Bubby's in tokyo pales to the Bubby's in NYC. Not one of my favorite places in Tokyo. But for the first time I can recommend going to Bubby's for the dish I had. The eggs were a bit cold but the hollandaise sauce was perfect but the English muffin was to die for! Loved it, especially since dogs were allowed. And given it was a Saturday, we also enjoyed the fabulous farmers market at Ark Hills. If in tokyo, check it out!

 

Weekend Brunch - Kyutoku

Saturday July 5, 2014

Tokyo Japan

Drizzly and Cool

 

Last Saturday after a golf lesson, I went to Roppongi Hills to fina a place for brunch.  I was actually craving for Japanese food so ended up in an udon place called Kyutoku.  They make the udon (Japanese noodle) at the restaurant and the type of udon they specialize in inaniwa udon which is from Akita prefecture in Japan.  It is thinner than regular udon but firmer and is one of my favorites.  I ordered the special lunch and it did not disappoint.  The service was very friendly, they have an English menu but more importantly the food is delish!

Very nice and friendly atmosphere

They were very accomodating on substituting items that I could not eat, eg, pork,duck etc.  Below is the starter, salmon wrapped in daikon

Variety of delicious dishes that were made from seasonal items

And ended with inaniwa udon - one of my favorite types of udon

And then some home made pinapple ice-cream.  All for less than 3000yen

Weekend Brunch - Ruby Jack's Steakhouse and Bar

 Saturday June 28, 2014

Cloudy, Humid, Hot Day

Tokyo, Japan

 

Since it looks like my assignment will be extended another year and since almost every travel magazine has named Tokyo the best foodie town, I've decided to do brunch/lunch every weekend I'm in Tokyo.  So last weekend, I went to the new steakhouse about a 10 minute walk from my apartment called Ruby Jack's who is owned by the same team who own's Two Rooms, a popular steakhouse in Omotesando.  Ruby Jack's had a very nice brunch menu with traditonal dishes such as pancakes (a fad now in Tokyo) and eggs benedict (another fad).  And of course, steak.  I decided to go to Ruby Tuesday's for one reason...  Chicken.

I ordered a Caesar's salad and Roast Chicken.  I miss big salads, real Mexican, Greek food and a good roast chicken the most in Tokyo.  So thought I'd try it here, since the owners are Americans and it sounded delicious as it came with sauteed shimeji mushrooms with preserved lemon.

I did not know it was part of Two Rooms until I had the Caesar salad.  It's very similar to the way Two Rooms makes it, which is... OK.   I find the dressing to be too heavy and too much cheese.  The chicken was delicious though but  not like the best that you can get in NYC.   It did satisfy my craving so I was pleased. 

And the atmosphere is great!  Very elegant and friendly.  I got there when it opened at 11am and sat at the bar which is a nice spot to enjoy brunch and catch up on some reading.  I was the only one eating at the bar but the tables were full at 11:10am!  So if going with a party, I beiieve reservations are necessary. 

It was a pleasant experience and I'll definitely bring people there for dinner and of course, brunch.

Great Atmosphere

Delicious freshly made brown bread

Caesar's salad:  Not my fav Caesar salad

The roast chicken

Sushi Saito - My First Michelin 3 Star Sushi Experience

 Friday March 1, 2013

Boulder, Colorado

Gorgeous Winter Day

Happy March 1 from Boulder, Colorado.  Had a very hectic week buy am now relaxing with family a bit before heading back to Tokyo for another busy busy week.  Good thing I love my job cuz its taking over my life.  A woman I admire very much told me in New York, its not about work/life balance anymore, its about work/life integration.  Very true!

Anyhow, meant to post this a month ago.  I was very very lucky to have met Rie-san via Shoko-san who gave away her reservations at Sushi Saito to us where we had the most delicate and exquisite sushi dinner.  At first, since its a Michelin 3 star restaurant, I'd thought I'd be intimidated by the chef but nooo.  The chef was very down to earth and even asked what I could not eat.  The dinner lasted about 2 hours (there are only two sittings for dinner) and was served at just the right pace.  I was actually very sad when it ended.  My sister is planning on visiting in September so told her to give me at least 3 months notice so I can make reservations.  Guys, if you can plan ahead, I highly recommend this place.  It's an experience you'll never forget.

Sushi Saito, located across the street from the American Embassy in a "dumpy" building.  Only seven seats.  But look how beautiful and zen like the interior is.

First dish:  I think it was jellyfish but I can't remember

Marinated Octopus:  I usually don't like octopus but this was tender and delish!

Oysters

Uni:  this was heavenly.  i could eat just this and die

Bad photo of the scallops

Bonito:  the best I've ever had.  Delicate and for the first time, I believe I've experienced "umami" the fifth basic taste that is very hard to create.

The chef keeps his ingredients in a traditional Japanese ice box to keep the right humidity.  Modern refrigerators dry out the fish.

The master chef Saito at work

This was some Japanese fish with a big throat (that's how it was described).  Basically its a white fish grilled to perfection.

Toro!

And so the sushi medley begins

LOVED the miso soup.  I'm going to try to make this at home

Next came the rolls.  We had choices.

I got the eel with shiso

And tuna with green onions

And it ended with their signature egg which was custard like

Dinner with drinks was a bit over 20000yen, a bargain consider the quality of food.  But lunch is supposed to be about 6000yen and if dining alone, we were told the chances of getting a seat without reservations is high.  Sigh, wish I could work from home like most hi-tech companies overseas, as I'd be going here once a month for lunch!

After Tofu, Time for Veggies

Monday November 28, 2009

Kyoto, Japan

Cold and Damp

While walking along Nishiki market, I discovered an organic vegetable stand that also had a seasonal vegetable lunch for about 2400 yen.  I heard about this place as it is known to carry some of the best vegetables in all of Japan.  I don't know the name but I did recognize the kanji.  I've posted a photo of it so people who read this can find it.  The dishes were simple, fresh and delicious.  It was a good break from tofu and another way of enjoying Kyoto style food.

The name of the vegetable store/restaurant is Kane something.  I cannot read the last Kanji.  The restaurant is upstairs.

The rice for December was Komotsuna rice:  Komotsuna is a Japanese kale like vegetable.

Ohitashi:  Spinach salad Japanese style.  It is flavored with Bonito flakes and a touch of soy sauce.

Roasted potato and broccoli

Simmered turnip with ginger.

Pumpkin croquettes

Dessert was chestnut yokan:  yokan is basically a sweetened red bean paste that is hardened. It's basic ingredient is red bean, agar and sugar.  It is a traditional dessert and is commonly eaten with tea.