We spent four days in Kyoto which wasn’t enough to grasp and understand the beauty of the old capital. Staying in gion, we were surrounded by temples and occasionally a geisha or maiko would walk by.
Kimono clad passerby
Fushimi inari
Kiyomizu temple
Kinkakuji
Flowers at a station bounded for Arashiyama station
Japan is really beautiful! Wish my japanese was better!
All the photos posted are not photoshopped or manipulated in any ways.
If you had been following this blog or just happened to stumble upon it, you probably know my strong interest in the Japanese culture. We are finally making years of dreaming of going to Japan a reality. Today we will be flying to Osaka to begin our two week journey to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Kumamoto (with side trips to Kamakura, Mount Fuji, Himeji castle and Nara).
We needed energy to plan and fast bentos, so we went to Katagiri in Midtown East which opened in 1907. They really renovated the front of the store this year!
Croquettes
Sushi
More sushi
Very reasonable priced curry
chirashi bowls! Gyudons!
We’re really excited about the trip! Might not have access to blogging. Happy September!
Japanonica had moved to a smaller space although it is still by university place, near union square. A month ago, there was a movie at Japan society called “The Extreme sukiyaki” about four friends who went on a mini road trip together; with dry humor and not much goal, the friends decided to buy vegetables and meat to make Sukiyaki. They lacked a place to cook it and at the end, cooked it at the park. The allusions to sukiyaki and the footages of the friends enjoying the cuisine so much, brought natural drools to our face because of the thought of eating it!
Busy on a Friday evening
Tada! The pan looks exactly like the one in the movie. Sukiyaki is usually cooked in a pan with mirin and soysauce based broth with meat, tofu, thinly sliced vegetables and sometimes even a bit of noodles. As the pot simmers for a little bit, the meat and vegetable soaks up the flavors of the broth. With rice on the side, it’s the perfect comfort food.
We are really biased since we watched the movie. It’s like eating sushi after “Jiro dreams of sushi.” Your brain thinks about it so much, unless the food is awful, you would most likely like it. We were not disappointed at all and was glad we had a chance to go to Japonica because after the closing of the original restaurant, we had thought it would be gone forever. Special apology to the waiter who I opened the bathroom door and hit by accident!
Mother’s ruin which is located in Soho is a bar with surprisingly good brunch. The catch is, you have to come really early so you won’t have to wait and make sure you’re not too hungry since your order may take a while to come out. I think running a bar is different from running a restaurant; if you are multi talented, very ambitious store owners (put into consideration the soaring rent + other factors), it makes sense to serve both food and drinks.
Interior with mirror to give the illusion of a bigger space
Cappuccino made by bartender that was actually strong and good.
waited half an hour for this but it did not disappoint- “Tri Tip Hash- Worcestershire Marinated Steak Bites, Poached Eggs, Red Bliss Potato Hash” (quoted from website)- Deliciously savory, hits a spot.
“‘Eggo’ Waffles- Wings with Cholula Honey Glaze, Buttermilk Dressing” (quoted from the website)- Not too crazy about the eggo waffles that gets a bit soggy but the chicken is super spicy and deliciously crispy.
Mother’s ruin is not your typical brunch place because of the atmosphere and attitude. They won’t rush you out even if there’s a line of people waiting. The price is reasonable but just make sure you don’t go there when you’re starving because the wait can make you even more famished.
The only time you don’t have to wait when you go to Geido is when you’re at the doors when it opens at 5:30pm. It has been a two year tradition for my friends and I to go to Geido after the Sakura matsuri festival at Brooklyn Botanic garden. The food is not innovatively amazing but there is a homeyness to it. It has been in the neighborhood for over two decades.
Sushi bar area
Caveman wall scribbles- you can draw on the walls!
Cheers on a hot summer day!
Shrimp tempura appetizer- crispy and hot (in temperature)!
Obama roll
Nabeyaki Udon- A little bit of everything; cabbage, eggs, carrots, leeks, chicken, shrimp in clear broth.
Omurice- the ultimate comfort food- fried rice with ketchup wrapped in eggs. Vegetables on the side just for show.
Flambé tempura ice cream- we were excited before the ice cream lit up. After the flame disappears, you can taste the alcohol soaking through the tempura shell.
It’s always delightful to go to Geido. There is something about the very down to earth ambience mixed with very authentic and homey food which makes you feel like you had been there years ago. There is a sense of nostalgia at the unchanging and uncompromising capsule Geido represents, in the surrounding neighborhood that’s ever-changing. The variety in the menu makes it easy to choose regardless of your mood for that day.
nanansa 