Food in Japan is really seasonal.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Happy Capybara
Capybara (カピバラさん) is a stuffed animal character that's popular in Japan. The plushie is a popular prize in crane games.
For advertising, a game center decided to set a giant moving Capybara up in front of the shop.
For advertising, a game center decided to set a giant moving Capybara up in front of the shop.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Getting teased
Well, it has to happen once in a while. Moo Cow wanted this to happen anyway, hence the camera action.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Restaurant Review: Café Troisgros
Café Troisgros is situated directly above the Shinjuku station west exit, on the 8th floor of Odakyu Department Store. When you arrive, the café has an elegant façade tucked in the corner. Surrounded by shops, it almost feels out of place. When you walk in the simply yet sharply-dressed waitstaff immediately attend you. Originally decked in purple and lime green, it was remodeled with a more neutral palette. The now-mellow interior has approximately sixteen tables for two that can be pushed together to accommodate larger groups as well as six single tables, no doubt for the business lunch-goers (like myself). Owned by Michel Troisgros, a Michelin-starred chef with several other awards and honors, this restaurant gives speedy service and good quality.
The lunch menu is limited meal-wise, but not lacking. The dessert menu is nearly as long as the lunch fare, and the drink menu is significantly bulkier, as expected from a café. There are a variety of coffees and teas to choose from, as well as some alcoholic choices and a few non-alcoholic juices and such. Undoubtedly to keep preparation time down there are four main-dish choices, including a salad, sandwiches and a daily pasta special. Despite the temptation to try one of the luscious-looking desserts instead of a main dish I chose the daily pasta special, which was a wild mushroom farfalle. Since the drink menu was rather large and the waitstaff came to take my order after only a short time I decided to drink water. When the meal arrived its aroma immediately caught my attention, as well as the presentation.
The green froth appeared to be a spinach sauce. At first taste I mistook the flavor for spicy but the spice faded immediately. The mushroom sauce hinted at a cream of wild mushroom soup that had been blended and thickened. It blended nicely with the spinach and held well to the farfalle. The farfalle itself was surprisingly tender, uncharacteristically so for a restaurant. Diners who prefer al dente pasta may be disappointed.
The cost of the menu is low- to mid-range, with lunches starting at ¥1,000 and desserts and drinks from ¥630. The daily pasta is ¥1,550. For someone with a large appetite it will definitely not suffice, but in the heat of summer it was perfect for me.
As a lunch or afternoon tea spot Café Troisgros is a good option for someone who wants quality food but also wants to get in and out quickly. The quality for price is quite good, but those who prefer larger meals will be left short. Be sure to check the menu on the stand outside before you go in and have an idea of what you'd like to order; they appear to have an almost fast-food-eqsue approach to speedy service. Overall, a nice café for someone looking for relax and have a light repast, but not linger too long.
The lunch menu is limited meal-wise, but not lacking. The dessert menu is nearly as long as the lunch fare, and the drink menu is significantly bulkier, as expected from a café. There are a variety of coffees and teas to choose from, as well as some alcoholic choices and a few non-alcoholic juices and such. Undoubtedly to keep preparation time down there are four main-dish choices, including a salad, sandwiches and a daily pasta special. Despite the temptation to try one of the luscious-looking desserts instead of a main dish I chose the daily pasta special, which was a wild mushroom farfalle. Since the drink menu was rather large and the waitstaff came to take my order after only a short time I decided to drink water. When the meal arrived its aroma immediately caught my attention, as well as the presentation.
The green froth appeared to be a spinach sauce. At first taste I mistook the flavor for spicy but the spice faded immediately. The mushroom sauce hinted at a cream of wild mushroom soup that had been blended and thickened. It blended nicely with the spinach and held well to the farfalle. The farfalle itself was surprisingly tender, uncharacteristically so for a restaurant. Diners who prefer al dente pasta may be disappointed.
The cost of the menu is low- to mid-range, with lunches starting at ¥1,000 and desserts and drinks from ¥630. The daily pasta is ¥1,550. For someone with a large appetite it will definitely not suffice, but in the heat of summer it was perfect for me.
As a lunch or afternoon tea spot Café Troisgros is a good option for someone who wants quality food but also wants to get in and out quickly. The quality for price is quite good, but those who prefer larger meals will be left short. Be sure to check the menu on the stand outside before you go in and have an idea of what you'd like to order; they appear to have an almost fast-food-eqsue approach to speedy service. Overall, a nice café for someone looking for relax and have a light repast, but not linger too long.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Climbing Mt. Fuji
How I prepared for and tackled climbing Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan.
More Summer Fireworks
Not the best quality video, but perhaps my iPhone does better quality than my Olympus point and shoot. Hmmm...
Japanese fireworks shows typically last ninety minutes or more, but this show was only an hour. This video was taken about 45 minutes into the show...it was like that pretty much the whole time.
Japanese fireworks shows typically last ninety minutes or more, but this show was only an hour. This video was taken about 45 minutes into the show...it was like that pretty much the whole time.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
To Park a Car
Even in Hokkaido Japan is super conscientious about car storage. These types of "parking garages" are all over Japan.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tokyo Marathon 2010 Info Packet
Yeah...did I mention I'll be running in the Tokyo Marathon this year?
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Relationship Between Sailor Moon and Cleaning Train Station Floors
I haven't gotten a video of a garbage truck myself yet, but this is almost as good.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
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