Tokyo report

Thanks to all the 'hounds that provided recommendations for my Asia swing (lamentably, the info on Beijing and Seoul is pretty light on this board, but Tokyo was right on).

Had two great meals (three actually, if you count a fun DIY grilling experience in one of the MyCity department store restaurants in Shinjuku).

For those looking for raw fish, the first was at Ginza Kyubei (7-6, Ginza 8-chome, Chuo-ku, Phone: 03-3571-6523). Small joint -- there's a bar downstairs where it's a ratio of one chef to 1-2 parties with about 15 total people dining at any one time, with some private rooms upstairs. On one of those Ginza back streets. English friendly (although everyone else eating when we were there was Japanese, so definitely not a tourist place). The tab for three people was $500, but well worth it -- extraordinarily fresh and inventive preparations (a handful of rock shrimp were dispatched before our ears and were ingested moments later).

For kaiseki, we went to Takamura (3-4-27 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Phone: 3585-6600). In my visits to Kyoto, had sampled some excellent kaiseki and this ranks with the best. It's amazingly a Japanese country home nestled amidst the trees on a hill in Roppongi (yes, I know that sounds odd given Tokyo's density, but true). Must reserve far in advance and there's a minimum of four in a party, as you dine in one of 7-8 private rooms. About $800 for a party of three, but quite memorable. Again, amazingly English friendly, and as artful as kaiseki can be. We also ordered some Kobe beef (which was personally grilled by a chef in the corner of our room) -- definitely a different experience than the Wagyu beef you get stateside.

garbanzo in Japan

Splurging in Tokyo

Swinging through Tokyo on the way from Beijing to Seoul in early April, and touring some family members around the city for a few days. Last time I was there, had fantastic food at Waketokuyama (the one in Roppongi), as well as one of the Tsujiki sushi joints (literally walked from Shinjuku to the fish market to make the 5 a.m. opening).

Have gotten some good sushi recommendations off the board for one of the nights (looks like it will be Kyubei or Jiro), but I'm looking for a superlative Japanese cuisine experience for the other night. Kind of the Tokyo equivalent of Per Se, French Laundry, Guy Savoy, etc. -- looking for something I'll remember for years to come (like my last visit). Love my kaiseki experiences -- know that's more of a Kyoto thing -- but having many little dishes, all artfully prepared, is the pinnacle of dining for me. Would much rather sacrifice ambiance for quality, but do want something that's not just a hole in the wall with stellar food. Would like to keep it below 120,000 yen for a party of four if possible. Not sure yet where we're staying, but the places needs to be relatively accessible (no suburban forays). And finally, my party doesn't speak more than a few simple Japanese words (but fluent in Korean, if that helps or hurts).

I can't tell you how many times I've eaten at Chowhound-recommended places in Europe and have come away smiling (Walter Bauer in Vienna and Restaurant Margot in Berlin were definitely the tops). Any help would be appreciated.

garbanzo in Japan

Please help w/ two budgetless dinners in London!!

We went earlier this month and had a lovely dinner at The Ledbury. It's nestled in a more residential part of Notting Hill, so feels a bit out of the way, in a good way. Great atmosphere, excellent and friendly service, and our tasting menu was fantastic. Was inventive enough without being silly, and there is definitely artistry in the kitchen. It was about US$500 for a party a four with a bit of wine.

garbanzo in U.K./Ireland

Indigenous southern Oregon grub

Driving from San Francisco to Medford via I-5 and coming back along the coast. Taking my time to wander a bit and want to experience the best local cuisine in the area from Eureka/Arcadia north to Medford/Ashland (already took care of SF and Napa, pretty easy).

In looking at the boards, it appears that most 'Hounds are pretty down on the quality of food in this region, particularly in southern Oregon. Any foodstuffs that this area is known for and I should sample (seafood, game, etc.)? For instance, when I was in Montana last year, a 'Hound recommended a great place in downtown Bozeman that locally sourced nearly all of its food (sorry -- don't have the name readily available). I'm from NYC, so I'm not looking for fancy dining for its own sake, unless it's accompanied by unique regional cuisine. Any ideas on a really memorable, tell-the-friends-back-home experience?

garbanzo in Pacific Northwest

London splurge

Indeed -- thanks!!

Perhaps I'll broaden the question a bit -- are any of his establishments worth going to over the Ledbury? I'm in NYC and he's opening a restaurant here this fall, so didn't know if it's like a Thomas Keller situation (you can go to Per Se, but you really must experience the French Laundry).

garbanzo in U.K./Ireland