Kobe Beef Sushi, Chaya Brasserie, San Fransisco

August 22, 2009

I would have simply updated the cheesecake factory post from this year's trip, but this was simply too good to delay posting. It was an appetizer at my cousin's wedding rehearsal dinner, and there was lots of it. I regret that there was a good three-course meal afterwards, so I could not fill myself on this delight. The rest of the food was quite solid, especially the steak, but really pales in comparison.

In addition to the kobe beef, there's tempura shrimp inside, drizzled with that excellent spicy mayo that Japanese places use. If you click on the picture, you can see the beef in all it's raw, marbled goodness.

*drool*

Cheesecake Factory, San Francisco

September 5, 2005

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting some other food pics. I figured I'd start with the whole reason I started taking pictures of my food.

I was talking to some friends before going to San Francisco in 2005, and it was suggested that I go to the Cheesecake Factory. My friend Paul expressed jealousy that he would not be able to enjoy such cheesecake. In response, I offered to not only take pictures of said cheesecake, but also to rub my face in it and take pictures of that.

All of the food (appetizers, entrees, cheesecake) was awesome; unfortunately, most of the pictures are piss-poor, since they were taken on white plates late at night. So all I have are the display of some of the cheesecakes, some excellent appetizers (Avocado Springrolls and Sliders), and a take-out picture. I do still have the pictures of cheesecake on my face; they're not going to be posted here =)

Sushi, Sushidai, Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

September 19, 2008

So, last meal in Japan.... I tottered around the selling portion of the fish market for a while, almost got run over by some of the vehicles, before I found this place at around 9am... and had to stand in a line for an hour. Oh well, totally worth it. The sushi chef told me what each of these things are, but I totally forgot. The first four are the memorable ones, whether they were awesome tasting, or were still moving (2nd one). Good end to the trip.

Tenmusu, Nagoya Station, Nagoya

September 18, 2008
Tenmusu, the reason for my only double-stop of the trip (other than Tokyo, naturally). In my first trip to Nagoya, I stuffed myself leaving the city so much, I completely forgot to buy this, which basically amounts to a type of onigiri stuffed with tempura shrimp. Thankfully, I found it at one of the convenience stores (I love having convenience stores that sell meal-like food, we need that in Toronto). I had this after I got home that night. In retrospect, I should've stopped in at Yamaton again for some more misokatsu. Dang.

Yakitori, Nenohi, Yurakucho, Tokyo

September 18, 2008
So I actually bought this after I bought what's coming up in tomorrow's post, but I ate the Yakitori before, so there.

Yakitori, or grilled meat on a stick, the highlight of late night (or siu-mai) of Japanese food. In a nice drinking place surrounded by many other Yakitori shops, I downed seven sticks of meat easily. Mainly chicken and pork, with the meatballs on the bottom, and also some chicken neck (surprise, tasted like chicken). However, this was a bit of a downer, since it marked the only time I really wished I had someone there with me. Sitting at the bar amongst lots of Japanese natives and tourists drinking and eating loudly and happily will do that to ya.

Unagi, Yaotoku, Hamamatsu

September 18, 2008
The only time I ate unagi (other than on sushi) on the trip was on the second last day, here in Hamamatsu. I actually also wanted to eat snapping turtle here, but that went out the window because of an unpleasantly expensive experience with transportation and taxis the previous night. But besides that, the unagi was solid, very flavourful. It didn't leave a huge impression, though, because I'm not an unagi connoisseur. It was also rather pricey =P But still worth the experience

Yakisoba, Totoro, Fujinomiya

September 18, 2008
Mm, Yakisoba. Visited Fujinomiya to eat it on the recommendation of Ian, which coincidentally is partly how I got the idea of visiting many many places to eat their specialties. Fujinomiya was a great example because, although its a really small town, they still had a map indicating where you could eat Yakisoba. I love the concept of towns centred around food.

I've had Yakisoba once since I've been back to Toronto, and it didn't compare to this. Contrary to how you might usually find it, this wasn't saucy at all, but a little dry, basically non-greasy fried noodles, cabbage and meat. However, the bits of nori (seaweed) covering it was an awesome addition. Mixed up all together with the rest of the food made for a fantastic combination. I'll definitely have to use that idea in cooking in the future.