Kaori Ya (香り屋)

The first really great food I had in Tokyo was at a place called Kaori-Ya.
They are known for their soba noodles and small dishes.
Chilled beer to start off.
Premium Malts is one of my favorite beers in Japan following Yebisu.

So crisp and the perfect bitterness.

We ordered small dishes to start with before the soba main course.

On the right are various Japanese spices.

Ginkgo nuts with fried string beans and soba noodles.
I hardly have any dislikes of food,
but one thing I would prefer not to eat was Ginkgo nuts.
But I was proven wrong at Kaori-Ya,
because these were fresh Ginkgo nuts,
they tasted like small chesnuts.
It was very flavorful and delicious!!

Chilled Sake.
I love the clay pottery container and cup set.

Some more small dishes, japanese style omelette and pork tempura.
Peanuts are there to hold your chop sticks.

Zaru Soba.

Egg yolk and grated daikon (japanese radish) in the background.
These are the both toppings for soba noodles.

Soba No Ki (そばの木)

The first great food that I had in Japan
was at そばの木 ('Soba no Ki'), meaning Soba Tree.
It is located in Fukuoka, in the southern Kyushu province.

Panorama views of the Japanese rice fields from your seat.
So peaceful and relaxing.

The kitchen.
Very small restaurant,
so the husband and wife run it together by themselves.

Handmade tea set.
Inside is freshly brewed Soba-cha,
which is Japanese tea made from roasted buckwheat.
Very healthy and contains no caffeine.

First course: Soba Zosui (Buckwheat Soup)

Second Course: Steamed Seasonal Vegetables

Main Course: Handmade Soba Noodles
Option to put freshly grated wasabi in your broth.

Left: Japanese cabbage rolls with rice inside
Right: Soba-yu in a handmade pot.
Soba-yu is the boiling water that was used to cook the soba noodles.
It is common to put soba-yu in your broth after you finish
eating your noodles and drink the mixture.
Soba-yu contains nutrients and minerals from the noodles
that dissolved into the water when cooking.
It even has preventative effects against modern day diseases
such as high blood pressure, decreased liver function and diabetes.

Dessert: 白玉ぜんざい
(Sweet Adzuki Beans with rice cake made from powdered glutinous rice)

Japan Food Tour

Just came back from a trip from Japan and already wanting to go back.
Tokyo is, in my opinion, the ultimate food capital of the world.
I've always thought so,
but this time around was a totally incomparable experience,
having a foodie sister who has been on a search for good eats while
living there this past year.

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Arch Rock Fish 2

Some more shots from Arch Rock Fish,
the new neighborhood joint in Santa Barbara, California.

Baked Kusshi Oysters with Cream Spinach, Bacon, Tomato Hollandaise.

Rare Ahi Tuna Salad and Poached Shrimp Wedge Salad.

State Street Farmer's Market, Homemade Guacamole and Shrimp Ceviche.

The prefect combination...
Freshly shucked Oysters and Ice Cold Beer.
At Telegraph Brewing Company,
a local brewery in Santa Barbara,
beers are brewed making use of as many
locally grown ingredients possible.

Arch Rock Fish has many beers and cocktails to choose from,
as well as a comprehensive selection of wines.
Really nice Happy Hour deals too.

To the left: Cioppino, prepared with plenty of tasty seafoods
including shrimp, shellfish and fin fish.
To the right: Beer steamed Mussels
with a hint of grain mustard and creme fraiche.

Team Arch Rock Fish!!

Main Entrance.

Exterior Shot.

Arch Rock Fish Photo Shoot

A new restaurant recently opened up
in downtown Santa Barabara, called Arch Rock Fish.

Santa Barbara is known for their fresh seafood,
but surprisingly there are not too many restaurants in the city
that are known to serve fresh, local and seasonal seafood.
So this neighborhood joint is the place to go.

To the left is everybody's favorite,
Clam Chowder with Smoked Bacon, Potatoes and Cream.
Lobster Bisque is very simple and tasty,
and goes so well with oyster crackers.

More photos to follow...

Kitchen Osumi

I love it when we have company at the house for dinner,
because my mom usually makes a full meal,
usually consisting of 5-6 courses followed by dessert.
And even after feasting, you wouldn't feel as guilty
because it is very fresh and healthy and refreshing.

Here are a few of the dishes that she had made recently:
Left: Minced Shrimp and Chives Baked on top of Renkon Lotus Root
Right: Okra and Shrimp Gelatinized in Dashi Broth sided with Wasabi Sauce

Left: Salmon Crudo with Avocado topped with Sweet Maui Onions
Right: Garlic Scallop and Fresh Arugula Salad

Bon Appétit!!

Liquids 5

Splashing Milk...

Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara

A great place to spend a sunny, breezy and relaxing
Saturday afternoon is along the
Foxen Canyon Wine Trail in Santa Barbara.

One winery I highly recommend is called Foxen Winery.
They are mainly known for their Pinots,
and most of them are rated above 90 points.

After wine tasting, don't forget to stop by Arigato on State St. for fresh sushi,
and McConnel's Ice Cream for the best mint chip ice cream, ever.