Viva la food

赤福, Ise Japan

2009-04-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

One of the most famous sweet from Ise - 赤福

It's made by rice (mochi) coated by red bean paste. It's rather sweet hence goes very well with green tea (mocha).

This is 2 sets - one with sweet red bean soup and mochi.

Must try it when you visit Ise.

The shop is located in the main shopping street close to the Ise inner shrine. You won't miss the shop, cos there is always long queue outside the shop!

Nagatokan 長門館, Toba Japan

2009-04-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

Discovered this restaurant by chance when I was wondering in a small seaside town - Toba

Toba is famous for it's pearl industry as well as for it's seafood. We ordered to grilled oysters. They are rather big and very juicy and sweet. Love it! It's so simple and straight forward.

I had oysters cooked with miso source. Have never had so many oysters once in my life. I can't remember the price now but it's not expensive at all from the quality of the food! yum!

website: www. nagatokan.co.jp

address: 517-0011三重縣鳥羽市鳥羽 1-10-45

ps. This restaurant close at 19:00.

Yabaton, Nagoya Japan

2009-04-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

The most famous fried pork rice in Nagoya - Yabaton

It has 60 years history and probably the best fried pork I have ever had. The fried pork is so crispy and top with Nagoya special dark colour and sweet miso source. It tastes even better with loads cabbage salad topping!

It's a must when you visit Nagoya.

The restaurant's official website: www.yabaton.com

The address of the first opening restaurant: 名古屋市中区大須 3-6-18 (close on Sunday)

However, to avoid queue there are many branches: www.yabaton.com/modules/shop/

京煎堂, Gion Kyoto

2009-03-05T17:25:00.000-08:00

Walked pass by this place and saw the display by the window couldn't resist it!

Order this set with rice cake in red been sweet soup and a huge green tea ice cream sundae. It was sooooo good!

Price - 1350 yen (9 pounds)

Add: 京都市山東區四条通花見小路東入紙園盯南側565-1

天周, Kyoto Japan

2009-02-28T07:52:00.001-08:00

This small restaurant is from outside is nothing. I walked right pass it, when I visited Kyoto last time. Thank a colleague who knows Kyoto fairly well, who brought me to this famous eel tempura place.

Their menu is simple and straight forward - only 4 choices. We all went for the famous eel tempura with rice. It's soooooo nice! And the price is rather fair - 1100 yen (6 pounds)!

The only thing is you have to queue for this restaurant, however the queue moves quite fast! Also, you smells like tempura after coming out from the restaurant! Despite all these, I love this restaurant and will definetly pay my visit again!

Opening time: 11am-2pm, 5pm-9pm

add:京都市東區四条繩手東入北側

Gorakadan, Hakone Japan

2008-11-14T22:53:00.000-08:00

Visit this traditional Ryokan at Hakone with a friend. Here are the pictures of the dinner.

Starter....

2nd starter - sushi

I guess this one is fried..

Soup

Sashimi

Grilled

Sliced beef with asparagus

V interesting - green tea sald!

Poached peach with chestuts. It's really nice!

It's a really nice Ryokan and it 'was' a really nice meal apart from the ending is not always happy ever after.

Ekibeto, Kyoto - Nagoya Japan

2008-10-11T05:58:00.001-07:00

Had this lovely Ekibeto on the train back from Kyoto to Nagoya. It's really quite good.
Each sushi is covered by leaves.

Will definitly have this again.

Kasagi-ya, Kyoto Japan

2008-10-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

Read this traditional sweet shop on a book. Luckily walked pass it.

We orderd O-hagi which is recommended by the book. O-hagi is made with sticky rice centre and a coating of sweet red azuki beans. It's quite interesting.

Also we had this....ice red azuki beans with white machi

This shop is so small and cute. Love it!!!

Add: 349 Masuta-cho, Kodai-ji, Higashiyama-ku

Yoshi-ima Ryokan, Kyoto Japan

2008-10-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

Visited Kyoto for a long weekend. My first time in Kyoto, love it!!!

Stayed at this traditional Japanese hotel (Ryokan) for 2 nights. They serve breakfast and dinner in our room, v cool.

The first night we were served Kaizeki style dinner.

Starter....

Grilled salmon

Tempura.....

simmered....

The second night, we were served sukiyaki....ymmm.....

The process of cooking it.....

And the breakfast..... t's such a lovely Ryokan. Definitly recommend this ryokan if you happen to travel to Kyoto.

Weblink: http://www.yoshi-ima.co.jp/en/index.html

Goitori, Nagoya Japan

2008-10-11T04:48:00.000-07:00

Found this restaurant randomly, they serve local Nagoya food and much better than the famous local restaurant Yamachan.

The famous local chichen wings.
The pork stewered with Nagoya miso sauce.
And chicken stewered.Weblink: taste-net.com

Soba noddle 惠比壽, Takayama Japan

2008-10-11T04:43:00.000-07:00

Takayama is also famous for handmade soba noddle. Found this restaurant which i sone of the oldest and most famous in the town.

The set is 1380 Yen and it's soooo nice!

In addition, they also have English menu.

Add: 高山市神明盯

Hida beef, Takayama Japan

2008-10-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

Went to Takayama for a short break. Takayama is famous for the local Hida beef. Found a small restaurant for Hida beef.

A closer shot.....

The whole set was only 2500 Yen (12.5 pounds) and it was really really nice!

Will definitly go back to Takayama to have Hida beef again!

Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo, Japan

2008-10-11T04:19:00.000-07:00

Did not have chance to visit Gordon's restaurant while I was in London. So decided to book Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo for my birthday this year.

We didn't go for set menu cos none of like what we see on the set menu (rather boring). I had the roast duck, quite nice. But I wouldn't say it's the best roast duck I have ever had.

The waiter kind of pushing us for the set menu, which was quite annoying. Also righ after we decided our orders, he even pushed us to order dessert. According to him, there is one dessert (Apple tart) on the menu which takes 1 hour to prepare. So I thought I had to order it, to see how amazing it is!!!!

And here you are.......it looks a bit like...hmmm.....

We also ordered some cheese from the trolly. The collection is rather good, esp. the local cheese.

We did had a good time there. However, if you as me whether or not the food is good enough for me to re-visit it again. I would tell you - NO!

Weblink: http://conradhotels1.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/dining.do?ctyhocn=tyocici&id=DIN2

Tiger Cafe, Nagoya Japan

2008-10-11T04:11:00.001-07:00

This restaurant is v close to where I work and it reminds me a lot about London, due to its decor and ambiance.

They serve French good, which is rather nice for me to have a break with Japanese food. The price is quite ok. My usual meal at this restaurant are French onion soup (700y yen) with salad Nicoise (750 yen).

The service is ok. The good news is that they have English menu, however their waiting staff cannot really understand English (niether French).

Add: 1-8-26 Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya

Chez Shibata, Nagoya Japan

2008-10-11T04:02:00.000-07:00

Randomly walked pass by this shop and went in with a friend.

I fig pie...it's rather nice, not too sweet!

Weblink: http://www.chez-shibata.com/

八代, Nagoya Japan

2008-07-18T05:14:00.000-07:00

My very first 'okonomiyaki' experience. It's savoury pancake and have to be made by yourself i.e. DIY.

It was soooo much fun! This is the picture 'before'

This is the 'after' picture.

And we also have another kind of savour pancake called 'monjayaki'. This is the picture before again....

And this is the picture 'after'

With monjayaki you have to each with the little 'shovel'. It was so muh fun!!!

3 person, plus 4 beers and 2 glass of plum wine the bill was only about 2000 Yen (10 pounds) .

website: r.gnavi.co.jp/n233400

せんりゅう旬彩, Nagoya Japan

2008-07-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

My HR manager took us (Saturday worker) to this lovely little restaurant. The chief was one of our previous chiefs. He just opened his first restaurant.

To start with, we had sea urchin on top of tofu. Urchin is really sweet and the tofu is so smooth, v fresh taste

Second starter....

3rd course is salad. The source has sesame flavour - v nice

4th course is tuna and sea bream sashimi, v beautifully done.

A closer shot -

5th course is backed small lobster with miso souce - delicious

6th course is radish with roast duck - soooo nice! (forgot to take a picutre before eating...so it looks a bit messy)

Then it's sushi time....freshly made by the chief. I think this one is sea bream with plum source.

Then it's tuna (maguri).

Then it's mackerel (saba) with little bit miso on top

Then it's shrimp (ebi)

Then some strange seafood.

Then the last one.....sea urchin(uni), soooooo sweet!!!

To finish with, we had red bean with mochi - hmmmmm yummmmm......

Don't know how much it was, cos my manager paid for the bill - in return I had to work the whole afternoon.

Tel:052 6273418

Add: Nagoya Naka-ku 1-12-23 460002

Bleeding Heart Bristro, London

2008-05-22T01:46:00.000-07:00

Friends highly recommanded this place. Finally got chance to visit. Apparently it is said to be the most romatic place to din in London.

Oh yes, the decor is rather cute and nice.

However, was rather full and tired when I arrive. So I ordered the special of the day - tuna ( can't remember the exact name). It's cooked with tomato souce and peppers, really really nice. And the best thing, the price is decent - 11.95 pounds.

Website: http://www.bleedingheart.co.uk/bistro/index.php

The Parlour, London

2008-05-22T01:33:00.000-07:00

Was shopping around the area and dying for something refresh. The only place I could think of was the cafe at the 1st floor of Fortun & Mason.

It's rather quiet for the busy area in London - exactly what I needed.

We had smooth (4 pounds) first. Then we saw someone had huge ice cream sundae so we followed. This is what we had....Dusty Road (9 pounds)

We finished it and felt so guilty afterwords!

Nice place to chill out! and good service.

Randall & Aubin, London UK

2008-05-21T02:18:00.000-07:00

My parents came to London for a week. My father told me that he would like to try the most famous British dish - fish and chips. I had a bit difficulty to think of a nice one in central London. This seafood restaurant suddently popped into my mind.

I have walked pass this restaurant thousand times and had always wanted to visit.

It's got rather charming interior design and v frech looking seafood lay out next to the window. The only setback is, the seats are not for people who want to stay in the restaurant for long.

Of course, we all had fish and chips. The fish is rather small but it's really good - good quality and fresh fried. However, it's a bit expensive - 10.50 pounds.

Oh, one more thing, their home-made tartar souce is soooo good!

The restaurant is situated right in the heart of Soho.

Address: 16 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 0SQ

Website: http://www.randallandaubin.com/soho/default.asp

Smooth Sensations, Bath UK

2008-05-21T02:05:00.000-07:00

Had a day tour to Windsor castle, Bath and Stonehenge with my parents.

Had a bit time to woder in Bath city centre and came across this little shop in the coverted market. It has all kinds of smooth and milk shake. I had milk shake that is mixed with chocolate cookies etc. It was seriously good!

They also do so many different kinds of mixed e.g. Aeor mint, Kit Kat, Cream Egg etc.

Here is there menu http://www.smoothsensations.co.uk/menu/

Add: Avon BA1 5AP Bath

Busaba Eathai Thai restaurant, London

2008-03-22T07:56:00.001-07:00

Last lunch in London, went to this restaurant with a friend of mine. Both of us were super hungry. Thanks god the service is quite quick and there is no queue.

We ordered our favourit - Phad thai (6.80 poudns). It's nice!

We also had coconut king prawn (7 pounds). It's rather sweet.

We thought we needed some health food hence ordered Tofu & spinach (6.80 pounds). I'm not too keen on this one, but really need some veg.

Then we had Lemograss tea which came with biscuit and honey (to add in the tea). Love it!

The bill was 27.10 pounds for two and they don't charge for service charge. I must say, it's not the best thai food I havd ever had, but it's rather nice and quick. The serivce is quite nice. The only thing is you have to share a table with others. However, we found it was ok. Will probably re-visit it again if happen to be around the area and there is no queue.

Add: 8-13 Birth Street W1U 1BU

Pearl Liang, London

2008-03-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

The restaurant locate in a rather bizarre place. Although it's right next to Paddington station but really it's not that easy to find. If not because a friend of mine live around there and brought me to the restaurant, I'd never find it.

I love this chinese restaurant for a number of reasons;

- the environment is v nice unlike most of the chinese restaurants in town.

- they won't kick you out as soon as you finish your meal

- the service is really friendly in contrast to the horrify service you would get in most of the chinese restaurants in town.

And the most important thing, the food is v nice here.

They do dim sum for lunch hour and I think it's as good as Royal China (if not better) and it's cheaper!! and you don't have to queue.

I returned to this restaurant for the 3rd time within 3 weeks (I think the manager knows to be by now). This time we had the lobster noodle. The lobster is really good but the noodle is a bit soggy. However, we were told that we can change to crispy noodle next time if we like.

The lobster noodle is 28 pounds but it's enough for 3 people, a rather reasonable price!

Add: 8 Sheldon Square Paddingdon Centre, London W2 6EZ

Phone:020 7289 7000

Website: http://www.pearlliang.co.uk/

Afternoon tea at The Grand Cafe, Oxford

2008-02-17T13:33:00.001-08:00

Escapted to Oxford for the weekend. Arrived just for the right time for afternoon tea. Lisa brought me to this cafe - The Grand Cafe.

It's looks lovely outsite and the decor inside is also quite lovely.

According to the print around the tea cup, this cafe was the side of the first coffee house in England!
We ordered cream tea which came with 2 rather big scons (still warm) - yammy!

We also ordered our favourite cake - carrots cakes. The icing on the top is sensational!!!

All together (plus another extra tea) it was only around 16 pounds! Rather cheap considering the quality of the food, the place and the service. Oh ya...the service was really good. The same waiter who first received us at the door also followed us to the door in the end and said goodbye to us.

Will definely re-visit this place again.

Add: 84 Hight Street Oxford, OX1 4BG

Telephone: 01865204463

Afternoon tea AT Castle Hotel Windsor

2008-01-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

My flatmate's birthday, arranged to visit Windsor Castle for and then afternoon - a rather classy day trip. We were super lucky that weather was sunny after a very wet week. The castle is beautiful and rather big. We spent a decent 2 hsr wondering around the castle.

Booked this hotel for afternoon tea simply it is recommended on the website which sales package tours.

It's oook. Not v impressed. I think I'm spoiled by the afternoon tea at the Doncester Hotel.

Price: 12 pounds per person (min 2 person)

Castel Hotel Windsor: 18 High Street http://www.mercure.com/mercure/fichehotel/gb/mer/6618/fiche_hotel.shtml