The ¥9,000 (about $75--half-price!) wheel of Stilton. Tempting.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Kinokuniya Bakery and Deli
After the madness, we three walked to gourmet grocery store Kinokuniya's little first-floor cafe, the Bakery and Deli.
I used to come here all the time when I worked in the neighborhood, for perfect tossed salads and a cup of coffee. Friendliest, cheeriest store manager in town.
This book on tarts was always fun to browse.
I used to come here all the time when I worked in the neighborhood, for perfect tossed salads and a cup of coffee. Friendliest, cheeriest store manager in town.
This book on tarts was always fun to browse.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Say Obi
I interviewed Kahori Ochi for the magazine I used to work for, and she invited me to join one of the events she organizes so that foreigners in Japan can meet other foreigners and Japanese people, and experience traditional culture, especially through wearing kimono.
Last Sunday was the November full moon, so she put on a tsukimi (moon viewing) party in Asakusa. It was a lovely and surreal experience. How often do you get to celebrate something as common as the moon rising? Being in those beautiful swathes of silk put me in a different mood, where time moved a little bit more slowly.
Last Sunday was the November full moon, so she put on a tsukimi (moon viewing) party in Asakusa. It was a lovely and surreal experience. How often do you get to celebrate something as common as the moon rising? Being in those beautiful swathes of silk put me in a different mood, where time moved a little bit more slowly.
With host Kahori
On the moon-viewing roof
Kahori set up the tiny roof veranda into a peaceful sanctuary with benches, potted plants, willowy susuki, a stack of origami for making paper cranes, benches and an offering tray of omochi, presented to the moon.
The sky went from normal afternoon light to dusky violet then indigo and finally nighttime darkness, and then the glowing full moon came up over the horizon of building rooftops, and everybody cheered.
The sky went from normal afternoon light to dusky violet then indigo and finally nighttime darkness, and then the glowing full moon came up over the horizon of building rooftops, and everybody cheered.
waves
One of the gorgeous kimonos, a pattern of menacing black waves against a scalloped scarlet background.
kitsui des ka?
After picking out the kimono we wanted to wear, the expert fitters wrapped, folded, tied, cinched, pulled, knotted and tucked the beautiful fabric into place. The bottom kimono layer wasn't used, so everyone just wore the robes over everyday clothes.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Drinks at Amanis
Lovely cousin Midori came out with the sis and I for a Saturday night out in Roppongi. Talk always turns to guys and relationships when she's in the room, since she's incredibly level-headed and always has sharp advice. Tip of the day: if you want a response, you've got to put something out there for them to respond to. Don't play hardest to get.
After seeing 21 Blades at Rock Factory, we went across the street to the classy lounge Amanis for a few rounds.
Salty Dog: Vodka, grapefruit juice, salt around the rim. My new favorite drink. Apparently, without the salt, it's a Greyhound, but why would you want to do that?
Plus the friendly proprieter gave us each the special cocktail they serve to ladies, all night, for FREE, on Thursday: tequila with strawberry, I think. Something pink. Very nice.
Check them out when you're in the area.
After seeing 21 Blades at Rock Factory, we went across the street to the classy lounge Amanis for a few rounds.
Salty Dog: Vodka, grapefruit juice, salt around the rim. My new favorite drink. Apparently, without the salt, it's a Greyhound, but why would you want to do that?
Plus the friendly proprieter gave us each the special cocktail they serve to ladies, all night, for FREE, on Thursday: tequila with strawberry, I think. Something pink. Very nice.
Check them out when you're in the area.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Goethe says:
Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Glitterball 2006
Your target: Velfarre nightclub, Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan.
Your mission: Infiltrate. Consume beverages. Take no prisoners. Dance.
Your codeword: Glitterball, 2006.
It only happens once a year!
It's Metropolis' annual Glitterball Halloween party.
Tokyo's international community descends upon Roppongi's cavernous Velfarre for dancing, free food and drinks, mingling with the Glitterati, charity (portion of ticket sales benefit kid's charities) and my favorite part, dressing up to the nines. Dress up! Loved it as a kid, love it as an adult.
Miss Ai went hardcore military as a member of the ultra-elite special operations unit, Delta Force. Alias: Alpha 6.
Me: channeling Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's. That's a knitting needle painted black with a cigarette impaled on the end.
Other costume highlights: zombie coed, human chandelier, many Jack Sparrows/pirates, Austin Powers, members of the clergy, power rangers, pimps, greek gods, ghouls, goblins and gypsys. Take a look.
Your mission: Infiltrate. Consume beverages. Take no prisoners. Dance.
Your codeword: Glitterball, 2006.
It only happens once a year!
It's Metropolis' annual Glitterball Halloween party.
Tokyo's international community descends upon Roppongi's cavernous Velfarre for dancing, free food and drinks, mingling with the Glitterati, charity (portion of ticket sales benefit kid's charities) and my favorite part, dressing up to the nines. Dress up! Loved it as a kid, love it as an adult.
Miss Ai went hardcore military as a member of the ultra-elite special operations unit, Delta Force. Alias: Alpha 6.
Me: channeling Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany's. That's a knitting needle painted black with a cigarette impaled on the end.
Other costume highlights: zombie coed, human chandelier, many Jack Sparrows/pirates, Austin Powers, members of the clergy, power rangers, pimps, greek gods, ghouls, goblins and gypsys. Take a look.
Check out those abs
Capoeira dancers delighted the audience with their acrobatics and rock-hard abs.
dude was ripping up the dance floor
Contrary to popular belief, old Japanese dudes can and do live it up in Roppongi.
Inimitable Don
It's a bird... It's a plane... It's Metropolis' Movie Man, Don Morton!
He goes to the movies so you don't have to.
Mr. Morton took the stage to MC the costume contest portion of the evening.
He goes to the movies so you don't have to.
Mr. Morton took the stage to MC the costume contest portion of the evening.
Alpha 6, pay attention please
After your seventh free beer, it's hard to keep your eyes on the camera.
Suzy Newsy, Jordo and Kong!
The MetPod team representin'.
Suzy "Alpha 6" Newsy, Jordo "To Die For" (he's a die... singular of dice... get it?) Cheung and... and... Kong, is that you?
Suzy "Alpha 6" Newsy, Jordo "To Die For" (he's a die... singular of dice... get it?) Cheung and... and... Kong, is that you?
The Village People...?
Updated for the new Millennium. You got your Indian Chief, your French Maid, your Navy SEAL, and your purple fro. Now recruiting cowboys and construction workers.
wigs, helmets, headdresses, goggles, glasses
There is no such thing as a bad hair day at Glitterball. Mmmm, so funky.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Friends 4 Eva
Despite numerous inter- and intranational changes of address over our family history, we are blessed with friends that have lasted through long distances and long stretches of time.
(Mostly this is due to Miss Ai, social butterfly of the family)
From neighborhood friends in Nijigaoka to neighborhood friends in Seattle and now back to city friends in Tokyo, Y has been a part of our lives for 22 years or so. She and her husband T came over to the new digs for tea on Sunday afternoon, and brought over the most delicious gateaux chocolate fondue set from Henri Charpentier.
(Mostly this is due to Miss Ai, social butterfly of the family)
From neighborhood friends in Nijigaoka to neighborhood friends in Seattle and now back to city friends in Tokyo, Y has been a part of our lives for 22 years or so. She and her husband T came over to the new digs for tea on Sunday afternoon, and brought over the most delicious gateaux chocolate fondue set from Henri Charpentier.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Dawn Blush
Early Wednesday morning, looking east toward the sky above Tokyo Disneyland, turning from pitch black to blue to a hazy grey-violet.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
May the Schwartz Be With You.
I love yogurt.
I love Yogurt, wise and kindly allocator of the Schwartz in the movie Spaceballs, too, but right now I am talking about the cultured milk product. I truly love it. And in Japan, it is SO MUCH BETTER than in the States. Must have something to do with the ultra-pasteurized milk used in the US that zaps all the subtle flavors out along with all the germs.
And you know what tastes great with yogurt? Kabocha. No joke! Great flavor, texture and color combination. Try a vegetable curry with lots of kabocha, topped with a dollop of creamy plain yogurt.
I love Yogurt, wise and kindly allocator of the Schwartz in the movie Spaceballs, too, but right now I am talking about the cultured milk product. I truly love it. And in Japan, it is SO MUCH BETTER than in the States. Must have something to do with the ultra-pasteurized milk used in the US that zaps all the subtle flavors out along with all the germs.
And you know what tastes great with yogurt? Kabocha. No joke! Great flavor, texture and color combination. Try a vegetable curry with lots of kabocha, topped with a dollop of creamy plain yogurt.
Friday, October 13, 2006
kabocha purin
I didn't make this, but I wish I did. Does it not look delicious??
As my friends and family know, I have a weakness for kabocha. I can eat it every day (an do) and be happy. Texture, color, flavor, versatility, vitamin A--this squash has it all. Is it the perfect food? Could be.
Next post: my other food obsession, yogurt. Stay tuned.
As my friends and family know, I have a weakness for kabocha. I can eat it every day (an do) and be happy. Texture, color, flavor, versatility, vitamin A--this squash has it all. Is it the perfect food? Could be.
Next post: my other food obsession, yogurt. Stay tuned.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Sunrise II
Lately I wake up at around 4am every morning, make a cup of coffee, do a little writing or reading, and watch the most stunning sunrises from my balcony. Is this really Tokyo? The last time I remember seeing a horizon as gorgeous as this was in New Mexico, or maybe from an airplane. The weather has been perfect the past few days, sunny and breezy and dry, like a perfect Seattle summer day.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Tokyo Bay Fireworks
Almost a month ago to the day, I went with my dad to take in the gorgeous Tokyo Bay Fireworks.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Tatsumi Bon Odori
It's summertime in the city and that means bon odori! C'est bon!
Also, I have moved to what appears to be the coolest new apartment in Tokyo. More later.
Also, I have moved to what appears to be the coolest new apartment in Tokyo. More later.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Happy Birthday, Sandry!
Bless the waitresses at Barbacoa, who tried to make CEDRIC's (not Sandry) birthday extra-special with a personalized dessert.
So close!
So close!
macha bliss
Tsujiri in Caretta Shiodome.
Macha bliss in ice cream sundae form.
I met up with Ai and Hiroko after work for girl talk at the uber-popular green tea sweets shop in Shiodome. It was a Thursday evening and we had to wait an hour. You don't want to go there on weekends.
I had the basic: macha kanten, macha ice and vanilla ice cream, macha whipped cream, and a side of tokoroten with kuromitsu.
Macha bliss in ice cream sundae form.
I met up with Ai and Hiroko after work for girl talk at the uber-popular green tea sweets shop in Shiodome. It was a Thursday evening and we had to wait an hour. You don't want to go there on weekends.
I had the basic: macha kanten, macha ice and vanilla ice cream, macha whipped cream, and a side of tokoroten with kuromitsu.
Tokyo bay at night
gotta agree with miss Ai's testimonial about Shiodome and Caretta. It's heavenly.
After macha sundaes at Tsujiri, as we always do when in Caretta, we stopped by the 46th floor to take in the night bay views.
After macha sundaes at Tsujiri, as we always do when in Caretta, we stopped by the 46th floor to take in the night bay views.
Monday, July 03, 2006
gardenia
Gardenias always remind me of San Francisco, where they sell individual blooms on little plastic disc-shaped holders on the streets. You can put them into a glass of water and they'll last for a day or so. Even after they've lost the beautiful white color and shape, the fragrance lingers. On humid summer nights, seems like one single gardenia bush can infuse an entire block with the smell.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Happy Father's Day
We took Pop out to his favorite okonomiyaki restaurant of the moment, Shichigosan in Asakusa. In the past few months I've been there around 4 times at least with him. He LOVES it. I think he goes every Sunday.
We talked about the restaurant biz, the music biz, the publishing biz... Grilled up some tasty okonomiyaki, mushroom sautes, Pop's favorite じゃがバター, potatoes fried in butter, and toasted our dad. Thanks for your hard work Pops! We love ya.
We talked about the restaurant biz, the music biz, the publishing biz... Grilled up some tasty okonomiyaki, mushroom sautes, Pop's favorite じゃがバター, potatoes fried in butter, and toasted our dad. Thanks for your hard work Pops! We love ya.
grilling hanpen
Our Pops loves fluffy white hanpen fish cakes. They sizzle up to a golden brown when fried on the griddle with butter, looking a lot like toasted marshmallows.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
The Organizers and the Special Guest
Ai & HK's first Spinshell Night club event at Warehouse was a smashing success!!
In addition to AG's own slammin' performance, Prince Squad and Diva Rose debuted their new single "Honey Bear"; Hardliner set the mood with their mellow beats; DJ Ram Rider kept the crowd happy and dancing (or was that the free beer?); and Kumiko got the crowd pumped with her amazing voice. What World Cup?
See ya next time in October y'all!
In addition to AG's own slammin' performance, Prince Squad and Diva Rose debuted their new single "Honey Bear"; Hardliner set the mood with their mellow beats; DJ Ram Rider kept the crowd happy and dancing (or was that the free beer?); and Kumiko got the crowd pumped with her amazing voice. What World Cup?
See ya next time in October y'all!
Lu & Ai
One of the performers was Lu, a pole dancer. Not at all sleazy, it was really gorgeous and kind of tribal and required amazing athleticism!
I love her promotional leaflet: "Pole dancing, dance instruction, and pole sales."
I love her promotional leaflet: "Pole dancing, dance instruction, and pole sales."
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
corn field by the path
It's tuesday morning, I need to get on a crowded train for an hour to go to work, sit at a desk for 10 hours and type. Then get on a train again for an hour. Repeat.
Missing the open country! Was it really just two weeks ago?
Missing the open country! Was it really just two weeks ago?
Monday, May 29, 2006
lunching at the Irish Pub
The trip was way, way too short, but each day was a delight! Like the day we went to a next door town for window shopping and lunch at the local Irish pub (one of two of the trip).
atomik!
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but apparently does not regrow severed limbs: Atomik was still the adorable, beefy, three-legged sweetie pie that I said bye bye to last year. He seems to love the new digs, and so did we!
babushka
Chuchu was a very good sport about keeping Ai and I entertained as we packed for our Maryland trip. (Poppo was not so cooperative)
Those eyes!
Those eyes!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Ginza Mikimoto 2
The dazzling new restaurant Dazzle opened over the weekend. Its home is on the 8-9 floors of the Ginza Mikimoto 2 building, which has odd-shaped windows which are apparently supposed to look like seafoam. It was all very atmospheric, with glittery crystals hanging overhead and gauzy pink curtains.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
