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Notorious P.I.G. in Japan

Fall 2012 in Tokyo

Sushi and Sashimi wise here is a list of fish that are at their best, or coming into their best in the late fall - early winter season. This all depends on availability and the ocean of course, but you may be able to try some of these fish at their peak. I would schedule any sushi plans you have for as late as possible in your trip to take advantage of this list as many of these fish don't come into their best until late November at the earliest.

Masaba
Sanma
Kohada
Kanpachi
Maggiore
Kan Buri
Maka Jiki
Ara
Kuro Mutsu
Hobo
Sayori
Kawahagi
Shin Ika
Mirugai
Tairagai
Amae Ebi
Kuruma Ebi
Ezo Awabi
Ikura

Notorious P.I.G. in Japan

Here it is, my Tokyo and Kyoto selection - Final advices welcomed

The Miso Ramen there is insane. I would personally go for that over the Tsukemen. If you have a dining partner however, why don't one of you get the Tsukemen and one of you get the Miso and switch midway through. Cover better ground that way.

Notorious P.I.G. in Japan

any recent reviews of sushi couture's tasting menu?

Yeah, they included Otoro with it (fish only) as opposed to the Omakase with cooked dishes where there was no Otoro.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

any recent reviews of sushi couture's tasting menu?

It's not an all sushi omakase per se, it's more that I think they eliminated the cooked food aspect from the omakase altogether. In fact I think it's called like "just sushi omakase" or something to that effect now. I had it a couple months ago so I can't be sure. A year ago it was more in line with what you had listed above.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

The Chickery - Spadina South of Richmond (David Adjey's new casual spot)

Who is David Adjey.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

any recent reviews of sushi couture's tasting menu?

Good value for the money. They've been consistent since they've opened for me and I go at least twice a week.

Last tasting menu I had only included sushi however. No cooked food. So you may want to just confirm that they've eliminated hot food with the Omakase altogether.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

80th birthday celebration at Chinese restaurant in Toronto

For reference, here's a meal I had at Casa Victoria last year. Not sure which set we got or how much it cost.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42140802@N08/sets/72157624034258469/

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Kinton Ramen - Opening on Baldwin St. - May 2012

To my knowledge Guu has never had the vegetarian Ramen at their outposts. I think that's a Kinton special.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Friend coming for a few days from London, England. What can't she get across the pond that we do well here?

I think you may have misinterpreted my original post (or perhaps I didn't make my point as clearly as I should have)

It was a joke.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Friend coming for a few days from London, England. What can't she get across the pond that we do well here?

"What can't she get across the pond that we do well here..."

Food.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Best nabeyaki udon in Toronto?

They're usually packed over the weekend so I would reserve just in case. In the very least it will save you a wait in line at prime hours.

Not sure how much the Udon is but it's nothing outrageous price wise. It is however, outrageiously tasty.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Japanese Izakaya Nejibee

I had never heard of it till this year. I know of their sister restaurant which is called Trattoria Gioia but I've not eaten there either. Guess we'll have to see when their build is finished.

There's at least one other chain from Japan looking here as well. Lots of new openings to look forward to. A couple in the next two weeks or so.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Japanese Izakaya Nejibee

I can also verify that this is true. I'm friends with someone from Japan who is involved with its opening. From what I hear, they'll be hiring soon.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Best nabeyaki udon in Toronto?

Done. Over.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Best nabeyaki udon in Toronto?

They're pretty consistent.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Best nabeyaki udon in Toronto?

Yeah, I mean, I love pretty much everything they do except the sushi. I particularly like their Nabe dishes. Been rinsing those the last couple times I've been. I want to try their special advance order Nabe at some point..

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Best nabeyaki udon in Toronto?

I find that Ema Tei does a good version of this dish. I've tried it at Zen, Cafe Michi, and Ichiriki and I like Ema Tei's best.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Ryugin in Roppongi

Just fyi mine and most other's experiences at Ryugin where the polar opposite of comamos' so to write Ryugin off on the strength of this negative review among a trove of generally positive ones is a bit ridiculous.

Notorious P.I.G. in Japan

Tapas Molecular Bar in Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Ah gotcha, was never sure of who exactly the exec chef there was.

Notorious P.I.G. in Japan

Tapas Molecular Bar in Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Jacob Kear went back to LA with stints at AnQi, Lukshon, and Gonpachi. Recently finished a stage at Noma.

Notorious P.I.G. in Japan

Any good Sake at the LCBO?

Bummer. Thanks for the intel though.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Any good Sake at the LCBO?

Fall?!?!?! Didn't know that. Glad I do now. I was thinking about getting a bottle of the Tentaka but I don't feel like waiting for fall for it. Are you talking about all of the stuff from the latest Sake tasting at George? Or just the Nanbu Bijin?

Yeah, Guu Annex (and maybe Guu on Church?) seem to get Sake exclusives from time to time. I always check them out to see what they have on offer.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Any good Sake at the LCBO?

Also, Guu in the Annex has Konteki right now which is really nice.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Any good Sake at the LCBO?

Hakuun YuYu is sold out unfortunately. I think all of the higher end ($100+ ) JDG's are except for the Tentaka Silent Stream. I know I scooped the last bottle of Okunomatsu Jyuhachidai Ihei for myself...

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Has anyone tried the ramen at Guu?

Yeah, I haven't been to Shiso Tree yet. It's been on my list of places to try for forever but I rarely ever get up to J Town.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Has anyone tried the ramen at Guu?

I only ever went once and found it to be a bit better than Kenzo only because they served it piping hot when I went, compared to Kenzo who at the time had served me a couple lukewarm bowls of Ramen. Both places to me are pretty bland and tasteless.

I don't even really take Kenzo seriously as a ramen ya. Most of their bowls have nothing to do with what they claim to be (i.e. Sapporo Miso Ramen) and they spelled Ramen wrong in Kata Kana on their signage. All that and the fact that their bowls really aren't the punch in the face of taste and complexity that Ramen should be.

Their Gyoza is great though.

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Has anyone tried the ramen at Guu?

Nice! Glad you liked it. Koyoi has a great Sake selection as well. Haven't been in a bit, maybe I should revisit.

I have been liking Guu's new style of Ramen although I am still pretty sure it's a half portion. Gotta get a BBQ pork bowl with it.

Too bad about the egg!

Notorious P.I.G. in Ontario (including Toronto)

Tokyo, Shinjuku - Tatsukichi [Kushiage]

Wow. Stephen Tjandra has accomplished a feat that most men pale in comparison to. Including you and I.

Notorious P.I.G. in Japan