And for course, my first Japanese portrait.
4.11.2016
Zojoji Temple. Minato. Tokyo. Japan. 3.30.2016.
Since we were already up so early from being at the tuna auction at Tsukiji, we walked all over town to explore. We stumbled upon the Zojoji Temple by Tokyo Tower and saw our first cherry blossoms in day light.
And for course, my first Japanese portrait.
And for course, my first Japanese portrait.
Tsukiji Market. Ginza. Tokyo. Japan. 3.30.2016.
Welcome to my very first Japan adventure! I typically travel mid September after all the tourists are done touring and all locals are back. However, my sister insisted that I look into going to Japan for my first time in spring instead during the cherry blossom festivals. After seeing images of fall and spring in Japan, I wholeheartedly agreed that perhaps my first trip to Japan in spring is best. So here we go.
We got an Airbnb here near the Sasazuka train station:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9481110
It was in a neighborhood and had everything near it. I loved staying here and I would stay here again in a heartbeat. I would highly recommend it. The hosts were also extremely friendly and helpful.
I asked all my chef friends if the tuna auction at the famed Tsukiji Market is worth the early call time: you have to be in line at 3AM to get into this by 5:30AM as they only let 120 people in each day - 2 groups of 60 to witness the tuna auction. They said it's like nothing you will ever see. Also, they are moving the fish market this fall as they will be building an olympic stadium at the current Tsukiji Market. Which means that the tuna auction may not be open to the public after they move it. So I decided to do this on the first night I arrived as I would be jet lagged anyhow. It did not disappoint. It goes rather quick and all the tuna are sold.
For those that are not the lucky 120 each day, they typically start lining up at Sushi Dai as it's one of the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo. However, that line gets incredibly long and it opens at 5AM.
After the tuna auction is over, which took maybe 10 minutes, we ate at Sushizanmai in the outer market as there was no line and it was also very good. We ordered the toro plate along with a few other things. The aburi toro (seared fatty tuna) was comparable to one of the best I have ever had.
After we fueled up, we shopped along all the vendors along the outer market to take advantage of the earliness and the lack of crowds. We came back another day during the day and it was complete madness. Here you can buy some of the best fish products. I also had the best daifuku (mochi) I ever had here as well.
I got a bit obsessed with all the signage and scooters/bicycles around town. As you will see throughout these Japan posts.
We got an Airbnb here near the Sasazuka train station:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9481110
It was in a neighborhood and had everything near it. I loved staying here and I would stay here again in a heartbeat. I would highly recommend it. The hosts were also extremely friendly and helpful.
I asked all my chef friends if the tuna auction at the famed Tsukiji Market is worth the early call time: you have to be in line at 3AM to get into this by 5:30AM as they only let 120 people in each day - 2 groups of 60 to witness the tuna auction. They said it's like nothing you will ever see. Also, they are moving the fish market this fall as they will be building an olympic stadium at the current Tsukiji Market. Which means that the tuna auction may not be open to the public after they move it. So I decided to do this on the first night I arrived as I would be jet lagged anyhow. It did not disappoint. It goes rather quick and all the tuna are sold.
For those that are not the lucky 120 each day, they typically start lining up at Sushi Dai as it's one of the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo. However, that line gets incredibly long and it opens at 5AM.
After the tuna auction is over, which took maybe 10 minutes, we ate at Sushizanmai in the outer market as there was no line and it was also very good. We ordered the toro plate along with a few other things. The aburi toro (seared fatty tuna) was comparable to one of the best I have ever had.
After we fueled up, we shopped along all the vendors along the outer market to take advantage of the earliness and the lack of crowds. We came back another day during the day and it was complete madness. Here you can buy some of the best fish products. I also had the best daifuku (mochi) I ever had here as well.
I got a bit obsessed with all the signage and scooters/bicycles around town. As you will see throughout these Japan posts.
3.27.2016
Brunch. Cala. San Francisco. California. 3.27.2016.
Cala remains one of my favorite spots for brunch. I still have not yet made it to have tacos on weekdays. But perhaps you have? I do really miss the horchata drink with bourbon though. Bring it back Gabriela!
Sopes playeros with midnight black beans, crema and ricotta salt
Huevos rancheros over sopes
Torta ahogada with pork carnitas
Halibut ceviche verde with fennel, radish and sorrel
Pecan and date capirotada with pear and piloncillo
Cala
149 Fell St
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.660.7701
Sopes playeros with midnight black beans, crema and ricotta salt
Huevos rancheros over sopes
Torta ahogada with pork carnitas
Halibut ceviche verde with fennel, radish and sorrel
Pecan and date capirotada with pear and piloncillo
Cala
149 Fell St
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.660.7701
3.09.2016
3.08.2016
The 1975 - Somebody Else
I don't want your body
But I hate to think about you with somebody else
Our love has gone cold
You're intertwining your soul with somebody else
I'm looking through you while you're looking through your phone
And then leaving with somebody else
Oh, I don't want your body
But I'm picturing your body with somebody else
-The 1975
But I hate to think about you with somebody else
Our love has gone cold
You're intertwining your soul with somebody else
I'm looking through you while you're looking through your phone
And then leaving with somebody else
Oh, I don't want your body
But I'm picturing your body with somebody else
-The 1975
1.11.2016
David Bowie. 1.10.2016.
I saw David Bowie in 1995 when Nine Inch Nails opened for him during the Outside tour. When he came out to sing Reptile when Nine Inch Nails played, I got chills. I have seen great shows before, but I have not seen a performance like that before. Today was my first time hearing Blackstar and it was haunting and surreal. He is a gift.
Infinity Mirrored Room - The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away 2013. Yayoi Kusama. The Broad. Los Angeles. California. 1.9.2016.
12.15.2015
Feisty Feast. Tazi Designs. San Francisco. California. 12.13.2015.
My friends Julia & Jasmine teamed up together to do a Feisty Feast x Secret Souk dinner in San Francisco. I almost couldn't make it, but since they had a venue change, I just had to. Since I now live at Tazi Design. You should check it out if it comes to your city.
Image of me below courtesy of Rachel Styer.
Image of me below courtesy of Rachel Styer.
12.01.2015
Lazy Bear. San Francisco. California. 11.24.2015.
Dan had never been to Lazy Bear either, so we decided to go check it out. It reminded me of Outstanding in the Field. The wine (pictured below) and the desserts were exceptional. Thank you for the hospitality!
Lazy Bear
3416 19th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.874.9921
1985 Caves São João Bairrada Frei João
Persimmon, Root Beer, Malt, Chocolate
Black Sesame, Forbidden Rice, Cocoa, Cassis
Lazy Bear
3416 19th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
415.874.9921
1985 Caves São João Bairrada Frei João
Persimmon, Root Beer, Malt, Chocolate
Black Sesame, Forbidden Rice, Cocoa, Cassis
11.22.2015
Izakaya Rintaro. San Francisco. California. 11.21.2015.
I was dropping in to say hi to my friend Sylvan and to ask him about recommendations for my Japan trip next spring. It turns out they were preparing for their biggest night of the year. Go figure since they've been named one of the top 10 new restaurants in America by Bon Appétit.
Izakaya Rintaro
82 14th St
San Francisco CA 94103
Izakaya Rintaro
82 14th St
San Francisco CA 94103
11.09.2015
Cala. San Francisco. California. 11.8.2015.
My friend Gabriela (Grupo Contramar) opened a new restaurant here in San Francisco and they just started dong Sunday brunch. They will be doing tacos on the other side of the restaurant starting this coming Tuesday. So you all be able to do both fine dining and tacos. We ordered almost the entire menu, but be sure to get the torta ahogada with pork carnitas.
Cala
149 Fell St
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.660.7701
Cala
149 Fell St
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.660.7701
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