Friday, June 18, 2010

Ukate (Tokyo)

Ukate (Tokyo) - 3/29/10

Ukate in Tokyo is the most refined teppanyaki experience we have ever had. No Benihana here. You will not see the typical grill stations with chefs entertaining guests with chatter and knife work. This Michelin rated restaurant - apparently the only teppanyaki spot to receive the distinction - is without question the best in it's category. Very high end. Beautiful, really... You know you are entering another world when you are met with that stunning half-circle grill that separates diners from several chefs who are there to serve each dining party. It is a personalized service -- Mr. Machida was our chef for the evening. We decided on a special set of lobster and beef, ordered a bottle of bordeaux, and let the experience unfold. It was exquisite.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Daiwa Sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo)

Daiwa Sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo) - 3/29/10

Pretty much all Tokyo guide-books say that visiting Tsukiji fish market is a must. The Cho family agrees. Probably one of the few times that dad would get up at 5:30am, we were advised to get there by 6am to watch the incredible tuna auction that takes place. And as we arrived and maneuvered our way to the auction area, through the maze of active stalls and vendors of all sorts of food items readying themselves for the day, we were awed by the frenetic energy of people hard at work doing what they do. The auction was amazing. You've probably seen this on TV, but as with most cases, being there was something else.



After the auction experience, we found the sushi spot that everyone recommends. Inside the market and in the middle of a row of restaurant stalls, Daiwa Sushi was indeed the one of 2 stalls with the most people waiting (the other was Sushi Dai); and it was only 7am. This was an atypical day for us - waking up before sunrise and waiting in line for food. Can't say it wasn't difficult, squashed like sardines amongst starving foodies (locals, as well as tourists from China, Korea, Germany), but when it was our turn to enter the sushi den, we were all smiles. And in the midst of the chaos, the sushi chefs were calm, friendly, and welcoming.



We ordered 2 of the suggested sets/platters and some individual pieces of our favorites. The chefs were masters. They placed the pieces on our plates as they were made, and even thoughtfully cut Ella's pieces in half for easy eating. The freshness was without equal, and the rice was perfect. The accompanying miso soup was also just right, tiny clams added for flavor; and the ice-cold Asahi beer washed it all down. This was indeed the best sushi we ever had. Ella was in agreement.

Zakuro (Tokyo)

Zakuro (Tokyo) - 3/28/10

It was an eye opening experience to taste the real thing. We've had shabu shabu many times and in many fine restaurants, ... but our meal at Zakuro in Tokyo showed us how it is done when done right. Maybe it was the authenticity of being served by kimono-clad staff in a restaurant known to be one of the finest. Maybe it was the quality of presentation; or the amazingly well marbled slices of meat; or the freshest greens and mushrooms imaginable; or the perfect noodles that ended the ritual. Everything played a part in our enjoyment of the best shabu shabu in the world.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Inn at Saw Mill Farm

The Inn at Saw Mill Farm (West Dover, Vermont) - 2/15/10

They say that the restaurant at Saw Mill Inn is one of the best in town - West Dover in Vermont, a convenient 5 minute drive from Mt. Snow. The Cho family agrees. We feasted. The sweetbread resting on a bed of fried spinach was quite possibly the best appetizer dad has ever had. And the potato crusted red snapper was hearty and fabulous. The wine list was superior, and the staff here was so friendly. The country-inn vibe was warm and appreciated, as well. We will be back for sure.

Co.

Co. (230 9th Ave., NYC) - 1/30/10

Co. was started by the owner of Sullivan Street Bakery. We recommend this pizza spot to everyone. We started with the escarole; so fresh and so tasty. As would be expected, the pizzas here are absolutely fantastic; and the 2 we had on this day were both heavenly. The Honshimeji & Guanciale was topped with quail eggs, honshimeji mushrooms, guanciale, bechamel, buffalo mozzarella, parmesan, rosemary, and garlic. Outstanding. The Boscaiola had tomato, mushroom, buffalo mozzarella, pork sausage, onion, and chili. Also very delicious. And you can complement your meal with a great selection of beer and wine. Very casual, comfortable, and solid - but be sure you are cool with communal dining, because you will have strangers seated next to you. And so what.

Bar Masa

Bar Masa (10 Columbus Circle, NYC) - 1/23/10

Bar Masa is amazing. The decor and ambiance are relatively casual and hip for a high-end restaurant. The food is just about the best in town. We stopped by for lunch on dad's birthday and enjoyed a great meal. The sashimi platter was outstanding; quite possibly the best sashimi that can be had in NYC... extraordinary in freshness and presentation, especially tasty with some excellent cold sake. And dad's uni risotto was exactly what he needed; beyond mouth-watering. And of course, Ella's tempura udon was perfect.

Umeya

Umeya (156 Piermont Rd., Cresskill, NJ) - 12/31/09

Cresskill NJ has quite the reputable Japanese restaurant. It is called Umeya, and it serves up consistenly good food. We check for the specials because they often have outstanding oysters. The aji special is fantastic, as well - if not listed as a special, then just order the aji tataki. Umeya has been around for some time, and it seems that the owners have access to top quality fish. Of course Ella's meal is not complete without some noodles... the tempura udon is always tasty. We enjoyed a wonderful Umeya meal on this new year's eve

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Yakitori Totto

Yakitori Totto (251 W. 55th St., NYC) - 12/11/09

This is one of mom & dad's favorite restaurants. The Japanese take everything seriously, and this place does chicken right; they also have delicious non-chicken dishes that are amazingly appetizing... all cooked to perfection by focused and dedicated grill masters. In fact, it's safe to say that everything here is excellent. On this special evening, we particularly enjoyed the grilled chicken hearts, lamb chops, and the pork belly. The tofu in hot pot and the enoki mushrooms wrapped in bacon were both fantastic, as well. We finished up the meal with some udon to warm the belly. They also have a great sake selection, which is probably why mom and dad are always up for this place. We love Yakitori Totto.

Patsy's Pizzeria

Patsy's Pizzeria (61 W. 74th St., NYC) - 11/29/09

Patsy's on the Upper West Side has always been a go-to spot for the Cho family. On this day, grandpa joined us for lunch, and we feasted on all that we enjoy -- the wonderful Insalata Siciliana, the delicious thin pizza with pepperoni and onions, and the tasty spaghetti & meatballs. Can't go wrong here... a great meal every time.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Momofuku Ssäm Bar

Momofuku Ssäm Bar (207 2nd Ave. in NYC) - 11/25/09

We happened to be in the neighborhood and decided to stop in for lunch; we were pleasantly surprised and lucky to be seated without much wait. Since we were only 3, there was no way of ordering their famous Bo Ssäm, so we ordered up the following:

Oysters with kimchi consommé
Cured Hamachi with horseradish, edamame, pea leaves
Rice noodles with braised brisket, thai basil, cilantro
Steamed Pork Buns with hoisin, cucumbers, scallions (2 servings!)

The oysters that day were kumamoto, and they were very tasty. The hamachi was good, as well. And same for the rice noodles, which we got without the cilantro. (cilantro?) But definitely the highlight was the steamed pork buns! Fatty and flavorful and simply amazing. We'd go back just for that. But after the meal, as we looked over at our neighbor's set, we totally regretted not ordering the spicy rice cakes. They looked and smelled amazing. We'll be back.

So Moon Nan Jip

So Moon Nan Jip (238 Broad Ave. in Palisades Park, NJ) - 11/14/09

So Moon Nan Jip is definitely one of the best BBQ spots in town. The marinated Kalbi there is excellent; and this is one of the few places that still use wood chips for the bbq - the resulting flavor is always extremely satisfying. We can eat here every day. An added bonus is that their Nangmyun is really good (maybe even 2nd best after Homung Nangmyun); so Ella is happy. Of course we need a Jigae with the meal. We usually go for seafood stew or Kimchi Jigae - both hearty and satisfying. Careful, though, you'll probably smell like Kalbi when you leave, so dress accordingly.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Pokoo Sushi & Sashimi

Pokoo Sushi & Sashimi (337 Broad Ave., Paliades Park, NJ) - 10/3/09

We were in the mood for some sashimi, Korean-style, so we headed over to the best spot in town for such a meal - Pokoo Sushi & Sashimi in Pal Park. It is always encouraging to walk into this type of restaurant and find it packed with Korean ahjuhshee's (company men) and families; you've come to the right place. And man, this place is pretty intense. The Cho family came ready to feast. Basically, you order a main sashimi platter of fresh raw snapper, and the meal comes with a spread of about 20 different side tapas items. The place is out of this world. We feasted on the freshness. Lucky for mom & dad, Ella is a brave eater. She's not your average Cho.



Sunday, September 13, 2009

Hasaki

Hasaki (210 E. 9th St., NYC) - 9/12/09

It was rainy and a bit chilly, but so what. On this not-so-lovely day, we ventured out to NYC to catch 'Pinkalicious - The Musical' at the Bleeker Street Theatre. It was really fun - for Ella. So all good. Especially since the show is just a few blocks from one of mom & dad's favorite Japanese restaurants. For about 20 years now, Hasaki has been a reliable, go-to spot with consistently excellent food and service. The sashimi is always high quality, and the rice in their sushi is always as it should be -- each grain distinct and part of the whole, with correct chewiness & texture, and skillfully prepared with understated mix of vinegar & sugar. Sushi chefs here have cold hands; we do not dip their rice in the soy sauce. So on this rainy day, we found our table inside and got ready for deliciousness. Hot sake is always good on such days; warms up taste buds and makes mom & dad happy. First came the Aji special. Wow, horse mackeral is good, but this was really good. In fact, it could not have been better. We also enjoyed the eel & cucumber Kanisu; so refreshing -- all sorts of flavors, textures, and consistencies happening here. Ella was enjoying both offerings, as well, and eyes lit up when her Tempura Udon came out (tempura on the side, of course). Actually, there are not too many better udons to be found. There is effort put into this presentation; perfect noodles, broth, and toppings. And the tempura was light and flakey. Then came the Omakase Sushi & Sashimi combination, which included some chu-toro, sea bass, aji, and scallop sashimi; some arctic char, anago, uni, and kanpachi sushi; and a chu-toro & scallion roll. It was a lovely meal. Of course Ella got her Pinkberry afterwards, so she was all smiles.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Ocean House Oyster Bar & Grill

Ocean House (49 N. Riverside Dr., Croton-on-Hudson, NY) - 8/9/09

I think this was our third visit to Ocean House, a cozy BYOB seafood restaurant in Westchester, not far from the city. Mom's friend eats here all the time, and she told us about a crab fest that was being planned for this particular Sunday... so of course we were there! There's nothing like steamed Chesapeake Bay crabs, old bay seasoning and Ommegang Witte Ale (and some Magic Hat, as well). Love it. And we sure did. The crabs were perfect. With hammer in hand, we easily devoured about 10 crabs each! No joke. In addition to refreshing beer to wash down the sweet/salty/spicy deliciousness, mom and dad were treated to the finest vanilla rum for dessert (straight from St. Barths). Ella had the ice cream.

Chung Dam Dong Restaurant

Chung Dam Dong - (118 Broad Ave., Palisades Park, NJ) - 8/7/09

We love discovering great Korean restaurants. Thanks to our friends - the Lee family - we found what has become our new favorite spot in New Jersey! Chung Dam Dong in Pal Park is located on the second floor of a mall-like building... very easy to miss. But it has, by far, several of the best dishes imaginable. Basically, you need to order the following. First, some cold soju. Then order up a few portions of the Chadolbegi (beef brisket grilled at the table) - it is the best in town and the restaurant's choice offering. Then get the sauteed Baby Octopus & Triple-layered pork. Wow, ... so good. The waitress then makes some delicious fried rice at your table using the leftover spiciness. Yes, she does. And this place also has the best Al Jigae (spicy codfish roe stew). Trust us. You will love this restaurant.

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill (308 W 58th St., NYC) - 7/19/09

We love Sundays... a day of rest and fun with the family. On this particular day, we decided to spend the morning at Victoria Gardens (Wollman Rink, Central Park), a nice little summertime amusement park setup for little kids. Coincidentally, the park is walking distance from one of our favorite spots ... Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill:) I'm sure many of you know and love the Blue Ribbon restaurants downtown on Thompson Street and elsewhere. Well this one - in the lobby of 6 Columbus Hotel, across from the Time Warner Center - has now become our favorite location. So after a wonderful morning of rides and games, we strolled over to our chosen eatery for some good food. We were starving. And Blue Ribbon did not disappoint. Mom and dad were thirsty, and there's nothing like a cold bottle of Asahi beer to cool you down and whet your appetite. Yes. With that taken care of, we ordered up some deliciousness. We started with the Kani Sunomono (blue crab wrapped in cucumber with vinegar sauce) and Kanpachi Usuzukuri (amberjack with yuzu peper) - both excellent. We then moved on to the Sushi Deluxe with some additional pieces of our favorites - mirugai, ikura, unagi, and uni. So fresh. So tasty. And then came our favorite... Fried Chicken "Blue Ribbon Style" with a wasabi & honey dipping sauce. Man,... that was good. You have to taste this fried chicken! After pigging out, we strolled over to visit the Pinkberry on the same block. It was a beautiful Sunday.


Sunday, June 7, 2009

Matsugen

Matsugen (241 Church St., NYC) - 5/10/09

Mother's Day Sunday was a special treat. To celebrate the best mom ever, we headed over to Matsugen in TriBeca. As you may know, this is a Japanese spot run by a partnership of Jean-Georges Vongerichten and the Matsushita brothers -- it got 3 stars from the NYT's Frank Bruni, which apparently is not easy to get. Sure it is a bit pricey and trendy, ... but we go where the food is good. And we had some amazing selections on that day. For starters, we ordered the Seared Fatty Blue Fin Tuna, which was absolutely perfect. Then came a couple of rolls -- a Sea Eel Cucumber roll and a Soft Shell crab roll. Very tasty indeed, and it got us ready for the next dish... the Kurobuta Pork Belly. Wow, ... talk about heavenly. It's hard to describe how good it was; let's just say that we will order this every time we go back. Another must have is the Kamameshi -- Rice cooked in Earthenware Pot w/snow crab and Japanese mushrooms. As you can imagine, the soft and sticky rice absorbs the aromas of crab & mushrooms and what you get is a subtle and delicious masterpiece. It was the perfect complement to the pork belly. By this time, we were quite satiated, but Matsugen is known for it's home-made soba. And Ella loves noodles. So we finished our meal with two soba offerings, one cold and one hot -- Rin No Husk (Center Of The Soba Delicate cold only) and Kizami (Kitsune Fried Tofu with scallion, in hot broth). Both were so good, with perfect soba texture. By the way, mom and dad enjoyed a bottle of cold sake called Fukui Kokuryu (aka Black Dragon) with the meal; it was one of the more superior sakes we have tasted, and it made mom very happy
.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Bar Boulud

Bar Boulud (Broadway & 63rd St., NYC) - 4/26/09

The Cho family attends the Church of Ballet Class and Sunday Brunch. We look forward to Sundays. On this particular day, after a really fun ballet lesson, we decided to visit Bar Boulud. Lucky for us, there was a nice booth inside ready for us as we arrived. The food is always tasty here, but Ella especially loves their bread & butter. Mom and dad love their cocktails, so it was a peach bellini for mom and a bloody mary for dad; dad was certain that this was the best bloody mary he's ever had, but he says that often. For our meal, we started with a small plate of the Chef's Tasting Of Charcuterie Specialties Hors D’Oeuvres, Condiments And Mustards; we recommend this dish as a great way to sample the yummy pates and charcuteries. After this, the waiter brought out mom's fish entree -- the Saumon A L’oseille (scaloppini of scottish salmon, sorel sauce jardinière of spring vegetables). It was cooked perfectly, and the sauce was sensible and not overpowering; the fresh spring peas made the dish. Dad ordered his Steak Frites -- black angus ny steak with french fries "laitue au fromage blanc". He asked the waiter for some of their house specialty mustard, since he likes to have that with his beef. Of course, Ella had a sampling of both dishes; but she was mostly loving the french fries. After the thoroughly enjoyable and delicious meal, Ella was ready for her favorite part... dessert! And since she was so great in ballet class, Ella was treated with 2 different desserts: the Ile Flottante (floating island, praline rouge vanilla créme anglaise) and a 3 scoop swirl of their vanilla/chocolate ice cream platter. Ella was all smiles.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Gam Mee Ok

Gam Mee Ok (485 Main St. in Fort Lee, NJ) - 4/6/09

We eat a lot of Korean food; because we love Korean food. And one restaurant that is definitely on Ella's list will be familiar to any Korean who spent their twenties/thirties in NYC. Gam Mee Ok in K-town was
the after-hours spot for the perfect bowl of soothing and healing Sul Long Tang (ox-bone soup with rice & noodles). Definitely a necessary and recommended ritual after a night of heavy drinking. Been there, yes? Then you are also aware of their famously delicious kimchi, which the waiter cuts up for you at the table. Well, fortunately for Ella and family, there is a second Gam Mee Ok located in Fort Lee, NJ. And this one is the one. Because in addition to offering the same menu items as the NYC location, this branch serves up the most amazing Yook Gae Jang (spicy beef stew with shredded beef, scallions, and assorted vegetables). This is mom & dad's favorite Yook Gae Jang - it makes them happy. Along with a cold bottle of soju, we order the Soo Yook (thinly sliced beef brisket with flavored scallions) and a slice of their Bin Dae Duk (fried pancake made of ground beans, vegetables, and some pork). Both dishes are great for anju (food that goes well with drinking). And Ella likes them too. For our meal, we order a bowl of Yook Gae Jang (for mom & dad) and a bowl of Sul Long Tang (for Ella). This hearty meal is good on any day, but it is particularly rewarding when it is cold and rainy outside.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar

Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar (17 E. 32nd St., NYC) - 3/29/09

So what's the best Korean restaurant in NYC? Tough to say. But for the past few years or so, the answer has been Don's Bogam BBQ & Wine Bar on 32nd Street. The food is consistently excellent, and the dining experience is enhanced by attentive service and a hip decor/space. Also, the vibe is not as frantic as it is at some of the other spots in K-town -- you know how some can be quite hectic and noisy and rushed... There are 2 things we always order at Don's. Of course the Kalbi (beef short ribs) here is absolutely fantastic; well-marbled beef marinated tastefully and grilled at your table. Always solid. We sometimes order the beef platter, with assorted meats/marinades and such, but we usually decide on multiple portions of their regular/marinated Kalbi. The other must-have dish at Don's is their Dubu Kimchi, which is a spicy, stir fried offering of pork and kimchi with steamed tofu on the side to balance the spicy fire. Okay, so Ella doesn't eat the spicy foods yet, but mom and dad love this dish! And for mom and dad, nothing is better than cold soju & beer to wash down all this flavorful goodness. Can't wait to go back.


Saturday, March 28, 2009

Homung Nangmyun


3/11/09 - Homung Nangmyun (Closter, NJ)

"Cold noodles! Cold noodles!" And with that plea from Ella, which we hear more than once a week, we stop on over to the best nangmyun spot around - Homung Nangmyun in Closter, NJ. In Closter, NJ? Yes! And we recommend it highly. Seriously the best nangmyun you can find anywhere - both the noodles (homemade from sweet potato) and the broth (a secret recipe with deep flavor - the kind where you don't need to add any mustard or vinegar, which is usually added at most restaurants to enhance the generic broth). Ella can finish the entire bowl. Other menu items are excellent as well, like their haemul soondubu jigae (seafood tofu stew), potato pancakes, homemade mandu (dumplings), and also their Soo Yook (sliced/assorted beef brisket with garlic & scallions). A nice bonus for mom and dad is that this is a BYO spot. We love BYO. So bring your soju/beer and enjoy the best nangmyun in the world.