FOOD FASHIONISTA

Tsunami Sushi Bar - San Francisco

Tsunami - Mission Bay's decorative collection of sake bottles

Tsunami's Sushi - Art on a plate

JoJo the Mixologist at Tsunami Sushi

  

Whether you are looking for a hip stylish date spot, or a dinner out with friends, Tsunami Sushi has two locations in San Francisco to serve you. The original locale is in the Panhandle while the more recently opened location is right in the heart of Mission Bay. With attention to design details and an extensive list of sakes, single malts and cocktails, Tsunami is a visually stimulating spot to nosh on contemporary Japanese cuisine and the best in Spirits. Another plus is an open to midnight closing time Mondays- Saturdays.

Tsunami Sushi Mission Bay
301 King Street #B
(Corner of 4th St & Berry St)
San Francisco, CA, 94158

Morimoto - New York

Here is a sneak preview of a few of the delectable dishes from our recent dinner at chic Japanese eatery, Morimoto in New York.

More Photos/Details to be added...

 

MORIMOTO

88 10th Avenue

New York, New York 10011

(212 989-8883

For Reservations, Visit Open Table

Katsukura Tonkatsu - Deep Fried and Oh So Good!

Kani (Crab) Croquette and Tonkatsu (Pork Cutlet)

Why does fried food taste so amazingly good? Well, I can definitely vouch for that when I confess that one of my favorite Japanese foods is Tonkatsu - breaded, deep fried pork cutlet. Usually served with tsukemono (Japanese pickles), shredded cabbage, miso soup, and rice, this is a meal that one must definitely experience when in Japan.

Tsukemono (Japanese Pickles)

Tonkatsu has become quite popular in Japanese restaurants outside of Japan, but for the very best Tonkatsu I've had, it's definitely been in Japan. There are many tonkatsu shops in Japan that offer all you can drink miso soup and all you can eat shredded cabbage along with your tonkatsu order.

 

Stuffed Yuba (bean curd) Croquette and Fried Shrimp

 

Tonkatsu (Pork Cutlet) with Cabbage Salad

If you are not a pork eater, there are many other options usually offered including kani (crab) cream croquette, fried shrimp, chicken katsu and sirloin katsu. When you eat really good tonkatsu, you will not taste or smell the oil. My friend Samya was so impressed when she peeked in to the open kitchen at Katsukura and noticed no sign of grease, or dripping oil. 

  

Love the Open Kitchen!

Katsukura restaurant is a fabulous choice for Tonkatsu in Japan. They originated in Kyoto with four locations and now have branches in many other places across Japan including the Tokyo area. The location we dined at was the one in the Takashimaya Times Square building in Shinjuku. The meals are delicious and extremely affordable with most set combo meals for lunch under JY 1,720 ( approx.$17) and dinner going for about JY3000 (approx. $30). With each meal comes a soothing barley tea, cabbage salad with a delicious Citron dressing from the Tokushima Prefecture, Tsukemono (special Japanese pickles from Kyoto), Miso Soup, and Mugi Gohan (Rice mixed with wheat). The bonus is that the barley tea, pickles, soup, and cabbage salad all include free refills.

Katsukura

Tel: 03.5361.1878

Takashimaya Times Square Main Build. 14F, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

L Garden Restaurant and Bar - Roppongi, Tokyo

L- Garden Restaurant, Bar and Saloon is a recently opened hot spot located in Tokyo's Roppongi District. Since it's opening in the beginning of 2009, L-Garden has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. With it's location close to a major American movie studio, a lot of well known celebs have enjoyed spending a quality evening at the one of many L-Garden's intimate spaces including their understated dining rooms, the traditional Japanese saloon upstairs, or the detached contemporary L-Garden bar where private tables with bottles of Dom Perignon are a common sight to be seen.

One of the many aspects that makes L-Garden so unique and special is the absolutely stunning one hundred year old classic Japanese style architecture and garden which has made this a neighborhood gem for decades. Surrounded by modern buildings in Roppongi's nightlife district, L-Garden is a peaceful getaway in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Although the building's exterior and manicured garden is all Japanese, the food has an Italian theme with delightful offerings such as White Asparagus with Black Truffle Dressing, Gnocchi with Truffle Sauce, several Risotto specials, and a number of other dishes combining the freshest seasonal ingredients. L-Garden Restaurant offers a reasonable 6 course menu for 8,400 yen (approximate $85) and wonderfully priced set lunch menus ranging from 2,520 to 4,620 yen ($38-$50). This is an extreme bargain for this Tokyo - Minato neighborhood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L-Garden offers it all - Great service and staff, delicious contemporary cuisine well suited for vegetarians and meat lovers, and a multitude of different drinking/dining spaces for whatever vibe fits your mood. This is all set within an authentic Japanese garden setting which brings you back to the traditional roots of Japan's rich history and culture. L-Garden is one of those rare delights in the center of a futuristic like city.

L- Garden Bar and Ristorante
3-15-15 Roppongi
Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 106-0032 Japan

Izakaya in Japan

In the last few years, I've noticed how popular Izakaya style restaurants have become in the more populated cities in the United States including Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Izakayas are also quite popular in other countries including Sydney, Australia and Dusseldorf, Germany. Vancouver, British Colombia also is home to a number of Izakaya restaurants due to it's Japanese population.

Back in the old days, Izakayas were casual spots in Japan frequented by a mostly male clientele who enjoyed drinking their beer and sake while sharing small plates after work. These days, Izakayas have become quite hip and chic with both women and men going to enjoy this social form of drinking and dining. Although there are still the traditional Izakayas in Japan, there are now many Izakaya spots that offer a fancy cocktail selection and an impressive wine list.

Izakayas are fantastic because they offer eclectic, delicious and affordable cuisine for everyone to share. You can continuously order additional items through out your meal and if you are particularly loving one dish, more than another, feel free to order as many as you'd like.

During my most recent trip to Japan, I enjoyed Izakaya out with my girlfriends in a new hot spot in Yokohama called Tsuki, which means Moon in Japanese. The decor in Tsuki was sleek and the view of the Yokohama skyline in certain rooms of the restaurant were absolutely gorgeous.

Here is a sampling of some of our contemporary Izakaya dishes at Tsuki:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food Fashionista in Japan Pictures - some colorful favorites

Here are some of my favorite food related pictures from my recent eating excursion to Japan. I have much more to share with you, but for now, please enjoy...

Hello Kitty Obento Display at Tokyu Hands

Strawberries are EVERYWHERE in Japan right now ( in this picture strawberries with red bean and mochi)

Of Course in Japan there is a "Food Concierge" in the Takashimaya department store

Aji (Spanish Mackerel) Sashimi on Shiso Leaves at my family's house

Squid in Tokyo

The bakeries are one of my many favorite things in Japan

The food displays are the BEST...and so very life like. Don't you want to just eat the above!

Sweet Potato Croquette in Kamakura

Maison Hermes - a part of the family :)

Izakaya in Yokohama

In Japan, you can order your meal ticket for noodles, curry, etc out of a machine

Chef Wolfgang Puck in Harajuku

 

The Japanese LOVE their fruit... these are sold proudly on a stick

 

Royal Jelly honey in an assortment of flavors

Breathtaking view from the Park Hyatt Tokyo

Unagi - Hitsumabushi style in Tokyo

The Ishiyaki Imo (Baked Sweet Potato) Truck - a MUST DO in Japan!

I will be sharing many more details, photos, tips and favorites on my recent visit to Japan all this week on Food Fashionista! XOXO

Food Fashionista feasting in Tokyo all week...

eating Shabu Shabu high above Ginza

I am in Japan eating, drinking, eating, shopping, eating and eating some more. In every corner, down every basement and train station, in the department stores and hotels, and on every street, there is the most delectable cuisine from all parts of the world to be found in Japan. It is no surprise why there are more Michelin starred restaurants here in Tokyo than any other place in the world, including gastronomy capital, Paris. The choices here for the finest cuisine and desserts are endless. You will find many of the top Parisian chefs with flagship restaurants and bakeries here in Japan. Although I call this a home away from home, I still find myself in awe and wonder at Japan's culinary advancements and traditional techniques used in every day life. On one street, you will find old world Japanese cuisine from the Edo period, and a few steps away, a Chanel boutique with a premier Alain Ducasse restaurant. The Japanese culture as I mentioned in a previous posting is food obsessed and that is why I just absolutely love it here and feel right at home.

All this week, I will have updates on Twitter and will also be sharing all my pictures with you all on Food Fashionista in this next week.

Nobu's Sashimi Taco Recipe

Courtesy of fabulous chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, aka "Nobu", is a delightful recipe that features a popular menu item at many of his acclaimed worldwide Nobu Restaurants.

NOBU MATSUHISA'S SASHIMI TACO RECIPE

Directions:

Put all of the salsa ingredients into a blender or food processor and puree. (To make a good salsa, put tomato juice into the blender first and puree. Next add tomato meat and puree again.)

Use 8 cm, (3.15 inches) diameter metal molds to cut the corn tortilla to size down. Place into taco fry basket and fry to golden.

Assemble the tacos with chopped tuna (tesshinn) with a pinch of Maldon salt in top of tuna. Then add 1 tsp of sauce center onions and cilantro.

Ingredients:

RED SALSA

40 OZ grilled and peeled red tomato

3 PCS grilled serrano

2 garlic cloves

5 OZ chopped cilantro

1.5 OZ chopped onion

3 TSP maldon salt

tuna (tesshinn) or lobster or crab meat - about 1 TSP per tortilla

1 small corn tortilla

chopped red onion

chopped cilantro

Hide Sushi - Mika's MICHELIN Guide Discovery

Often when you think of eating very fresh sushi, you think of paying fairly high prices, so when I spotted Hide Sushi in the MICHELIN guide’s, “Where to eat for less than $25”, I thought, hmmm…I have to check this place out.

Located on Sawtelle Boulevard on the West Side of Los Angeles, Hide Sushi is right in the center of a mini “Japantown” surrounded by Japanese grocery stores, ramen noodle shops, bookstores, and other Japanese businesses. Born in Japan, I felt like Hide Sushi and its neighborhood were a home away from home – its Japanese staff, and no frills décor, Hide Sushi was clean, simple and straight to the point.

Hide Sushi offers a well edited selection of nigiri sushi, rolls, and other non-sushi items including teriyaki, tempura, sunomonos, salads, and kai yaki (dynamite). One thing you won’t find at Hide are rolls covered in a mask of heavy dripping sauces or American-inspired rolls like the Boston or Philly roll. The fish is fresh, and Hide’s sushi chef’s goal is for you to experience the true delicious flavor of the fish. The sake (salmon) was perfectly sliced, and melted in my mouth. I enjoyed it so much I ordered two more pieces. I also loved the hamachi (yellowtail) and scallop special, which included a special sauce of smelt egg and mayonnaise.

Another great choice at Hide is the tempura with the batter light in color and texture. You can always determine the quality of good tempura by the oil that they use. At Hide, you can tell the oil is regularly changed therefore leaving your palate light and satisfied rather than heavy from the oil.

In addition to dinner, Hide is a great spot for lunch. Hide offers a fantastic lunch combo for $8.50 which includes rice, tsukemono, shrimp and vegetable tempura, and your choice of either beef or chicken teriyaki. It does get crowded, and they don’t take reservations, so come on the earlier side. Hide only takes cash so make sure to stop at the ATM before heading over.

Hide is open Tue-Sat 11:30am-9pm, Sun 11:30am-8pm

Hide Sushi

2040 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

310- 477- 7242

Share your own MICHELIN Guide discovery in 150 words or less using the current 2009 guide.  Prizes include a $150.00 weekly prize or a lavish Grand Prize of a New York Experience for two worth $3,500.00.

To Enter the Contest visit  MICHELIN GUIDE DISCOVERY CONTEST

Nobu's Salmon New Style Sashimi Recipe

NOBU MATSUHISA'S NEW STYLE SASHIMI RECIPE

METHOD:

Cut the fish into paper- thin slices.

Arrange the fish slices on a serving plate. On each slice dab a little grated garlic and place ginger spears and a few chives. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the fish. Drizzle the yuzu soy sauce over the top.

Just prior to serving, heat the New Style Oil in a small frying pan until just before it begins to smoke. Pour it over the fish slices and serve.

INGREDIENTS:

18 OZs (500G) Salmon fillet

1 TSP finely grated garlic

*Ginger spears from 1 KNOB of ginger

Chives

2 TSP with sesame seeds, toasted

Yuzu soy sauce (1 TSP plus 1 TSP yuzu juice and 3 TSP plus 1 TSP soy sauce, combined)

New Style Oil  (6 TBSP pure olive oil and 2 TSP sesame oil, combined)

*Ginger Spears- Peel the ginger, slice thinly and julienne as finely as possible. Plunge briefly in cold water and drain.