BaronDestructo's Profile
Where can I eat pasta with sea urchin (Uni) - french restaurant in Vancouver
I've never had it in any restaurant outside of Tokyo, but I do make it at home. Seafood City at Granville Island will occasionally have fresh uni (they had some just a couple of weeks ago). I usually buy a couple there, have them clean them for me, then bring them home and make my own sauce, then top with a half dozen pieces. Sweet, creamy, and delicious.
Best Indian in Burnaby
I have a friend in town for one night. He's staying in Burnaby and would like to try Indian - or sushi - in the area. I'm just going to give up on sushi from the get-go figuring I would have a better chance of finding comparatively better Indian in the area. But where? Suggestions.
Thanks.
Sushi, Kaiseki, High-end Dining (again...) [Tokyo, Kyoto, other...] - Beware, long post !
Hmmmm. With all due respect to Sushi Saito (which is excellent), if you're looking for a one of a kind sushi meal, it's got to be Sawada. I've been three times with three different first-timers and all declared it one of their best meals ever.
Regarding kaiseki - Ishikawa is hard to beat.
I like your choices of both Ryugin and Aronia de Takazawa. I enjoyed myself immensely at both and, while I agree that you might find places in North America with similar thematic approaches, I'm certain you'll be hard-pressed to find the same level of produce outside of Japan.
Finally, any interest in checking out a great unagi restaurant? Nodaiwa blew me away the first time I went.
Thierry Busset's New Place is Open (Review)
Agree with you on the macarons. I was very disappointed. They possess a texture akin to staleness, this despite the fact that I saw them come out of the kitchen twenty minutes earlier. Overbaked perhaps?
High End Sushi in Tokyo (or should I stick with Sawada?)
Oh and hey there fellow Vancouverite.
High End Sushi in Tokyo (or should I stick with Sawada?)
In terms of quality, variety, and experience, it's tough to beat Sawada. Of the dozen or so high-end sushi places I've visited over my various trips to Tokyo, it's still tops. Heading to Tokyo in late Jan to early February and have Taku and Harutaka on the dining schedule. Will report back soon.
I say talEggio, Giada says talAggio...
As someone who grew up in an Italian household (my mother was first generation, my father second), I find Giada's attempts at pulling off that Italian flourish cringe-worthy. To those who don't know better, I'm sure she sounds all sorts of authentic. To those who do, she's an embarrassment.
Best of the Strip with a limitless budget
Wait. Are you talking about Twist or Guy Savoy?
Best of the Strip with a limitless budget
Okay. I did a little more research and you're right, the Twist reviews are mixed. I nixed it and replaced with Guy Savoy.
Best Tasting Menu In Vegas
Alex would have definitely made the short list, but I understand it has closed. :(
Best of the Strip with a limitless budget
Alas, Tuesday at Robuchon and Wednesday at E are set in stone. No other other time on any other night works for me.
What do you guys think of Scarpetti's?
Best of the Strip with a limitless budget
Hmmm. Guy Savoy is closed on Mondays. Any suggestions?
Best of the Strip with a limitless budget
While I'm sure the quality of the Asian food is excellent, I doubt it can compare the meals I've enjoyed in Tokyo and Hong Kong. The latter are places I visit on a semi-regular basis, so I'm fine focusing on other cuisine for this trip.
When I said "limitless budget", I didn't mean to imply "most expensive", simply "unconstrained by cost".
So far, my schedule looks like this:
Monday: Guy Savoy (? Closed yesterday so I will try to book a table today).
Tuesday: Joel Robuchon
Wednesday: e by Jose Andres
Thursday: Twist
Anything I should switch out? What about lunches.
Finally, re: Iron Chef Sakai - I visited his restaurant in Shibuya two years ago. After we'd finished our meal, he came by the table, introduced himself, asked if we'd enjoyed ourselves, then took us on a tour of the restaurant (La Rochelle). Afterward, he signed our menus. He was incredibly kind and self-effacing; his staff equally so. My dining companion ended up doing a stage at the restaurant for several months and reports Sakai san is as genuinely genial to work with as he was on that night. Nice to hear.
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjosephmallozzi.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F03%2Fdecember-3-2009-tokyo-travel-day-9-hirosaku-la-rochelle-shibuya-and-the-outfit-i-almost-got-carl%2F&ei=UOJjTcOOCYG-sQOR05HFCA&usg=AFQjCNHjYiKL4XlhConSH1HRuaM_j6brJg
Best of the Strip with a limitless budget
I'm about to start a job that will consume me (physically and mentally, but probably my soul as well) for the better part of 2011. But before I begin, I've decided to treat myself with a little culinary R&R.
Usually, I set aside two weeks every December to hit Tokyo in style, eating at the very best the city has to offer (and it offers a lot for the serious foodie). Next month, I want to do something similar: 3-4 days of serious high-end eating, Vegas- style.
So, my question is this: Given the opportunity to eat four lunches and four dinners at ANY high-end restaurant in Vegas, what would make your list? Again, price isn't a concern. I want to be blown away.
Much thanks.
Ginza area within walking distance
Just went to Nodaiwa for lunch today. Excellent unagi (including wild version). It's in the same basement environs as Birdland (yakitori). B1F Tsukamatoshozan Building, 4-2-15 Ginza. Across the street from the Sony Building.
Ishikawa
I went to Ishikawa on my last trip and had a wonderful meal. Highlights included my very first duck tempura, snow crab with broth jelly topped with crab liver, a charcoal grilled kinki fish, and steamed rice with dried mullet roe. I'd provide a link to my blog for the full details and pics, but providing links to personal websites is frowned upon by chowhound (unless you happen to be a moderator in which case they'll let it slide).
Anyway, in addition to the food itself, the service was exceptional and Ishikawa-san himself made it a point to stop by (we had a private room) to serve us, chat, and eventually see us off.
Top 2 italian and french restaurants in Tokyo?
I second the Michel Troisgros recommendation in the French category and would also add heavy-hitters L'Osier and Chateau Joel Robuchon to the list. If anyone is in a position to recognize great French food, it would be Delucacheesemonger - so I'm adding Pachon to my restaurant list for my annual Tokyo trip.
In the Italian category, was pleasantly surprised by Faro in Ginza's Shiseido Building.
Aronia vs. Ryugin
Hopefully this post will hang around long enough for you to get the pertinent information:
Aronia de Takazawa: 24 000 yen dinner
Ruugin: 23 100 yen dinner
1st time Vancouver Visitors - 1 Week - Advice
And, oh yeah, for spicy check out Peaceful Restaurant at 532 West Broadway. Northern Chinese cuisine with some muslim influence. Terrific noodles. Get the beef roll. The chili chicken is not for the faint-hearted.
1st time Vancouver Visitors - 1 Week - Advice
grayelf's comments are spot-on although I'd be more likely to recommend Zakkushi over Hapa (the scene is great but I find the food only so-so). Wasn't blown away by La Buca when I went and had a downright terrible meal at Altro Buca. Of the restaurants you've yet to receive input on:
Nu: The only thing I remember about the few times I've visited were their very uncomfortable chairs. It's been a while though.
Lift: Like Earl's and Coast, a step above fast food. Unremarkable, although the view is nice.
Joe Fortes: Another big meh.
Gotham: A pricey favorite of many, but I've yet to be impressed. I prefer Hy's on Hornby.
Tapastree: Hit and miss with a definite bohemian vibe.
Rodney's Oyster House: Fun. Sit at the bar and watch them shuck our oysters or grab a table and order a dozen on the half shell followed by a nice steamed crab.
Nook Pizza: Haven't been but I've heard very good things.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Hey,
Thanks for all the insight over the years. I've used many of your recommendations over the course of my annual Tokyo trips and will continue to do so this winter as well, adding Fuku and Norabow to the list. My fellow traveler Stefan, also a Philly native, spoke highly of you after sharing a meal (or two?) with you - I believe it was ramen and/or shabu-shabu with my friend Akemi,
Anyway, all the best.
Anyone know if I can find Pasquale Marigliano chocolates in New York.
I'm hosting my annual chocolate party next week am shipping in product from France, Italy, Spain, and all over North America. However, am unable to bring in Pasquale Marigliano chocolates. I know that Dean and Deluca carries a varied international selection, but didn't see the aforementioned chocolates in their online inventory. Anyone know whether another shop carries the line?
Thanks in advance.
P.S. Last year's bash: http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/april-26-2009-the-best-chocolate-party-ever/
Kyubei not included in the latest Michelin
Interesting. I was considering Kyubey on my last trip but had two people warn me off - one a foodie and transplanted Westerner living in Tokyo, the other a non-foodie native Tokyoite.
Have to assume it is me, definitely missing something
Thanks, Indy. You're very kind.
Favorite Italian? Hmmmm. Well, let me start off by saying I didn't have a bad meal, Italian or otherwise, while I was in town. Still, there were certain outings I enjoyed more than others. All told, I visited four Italian restos: Aroma Fresca, Faro, Il Ghiotone, and Ristorante Aso. Given the opportunity to return one - and only one - it probably would be Faro, for dinner this time. I simply loved the room and was wowed by more dishes (that foie gras with chestnut chutney comes to mind).
Bonus for you: Faro is located in the Shiseido Building - in Ginza. If you do go, report back.
Have to assume it is me, definitely missing something
" That's some pretty serious eating and spending."
Yep. Although, in hindsight, I think booking both lunches and dinners was a mistake. Wonderful meals all around but I stopped being hungry about a week into my trip. Still, I persevered, did all 29 restaurants and, on my return home, discovered I'd actually lost 3 lbs and shaved 1% off my total body fat. No idea.
Jem589 - Thanks for the Yonemura tip. I loved the spacious counter seating and, of course, the meal. I'd be interested to see what dinner is like.
Indy67 - My recent attempts to put links up to specific blog entries in my blog have been deleted by the mods, so I'd just like to suggest that if you go back to the late November to early December 2008 entries in the archive, you'll find pics and thoughts on about a dozen more high-end Tokyo restaurants including L'Osier, Hamadaya, Chateau Joel Robuchon, and more.
Kadowaki at Azabu Juban-any review
I loved Ishikawa as much for the man as the food. An all-around wonderful meal. I also loved Hirosaku - but be warned, it's a tough place to find.
I enjoyed my meals at the other three but do admit I preferred Ryugin on my last trip.
Aronia de Takazawa
I sent my restaurant list to the concierge at the Peninsula 3 months in advance. He informed me that some restaurants required booking three months in advance, some one month, others weeks or days. I don't recall what the case was for Aronia.
The only one I had trouble with was Quintessence that only takes reservations a month in advance. Despite that, I was put on a waiting list. As it turns out, however, there were some cancellations, I moved up, and will be having lunch there on Thursday. Will report back.
Aronia de Takazawa
I went through the concierge at The Peninsula who has booked all of my upcoming meals (I'll be in town for two weeks). Anyway, I have a 19:30 reservation on November 25th. Not sure if he experienced any issues. The only restaurant he has had trouble booking (I'm third on the waiting list) is Quintessence.
