Tokyo, Japan

Chris was in Tokyo, Japan (without me) to hang out with friends, eat some sushi, and drink some sake.  And if those things were his mission, his mission was a success.  Last time he was in Tokyo was in 2002, so he had a packed schedule for 3 days while he was there.

His main objective was to eat some awesome sushi.  Last time we were in Tokyo together (more than 10 years ago), we couldn't afford good sushi, so we only had Kaiten sushi.  So this time he was determined to eat some serious sushi.  He chose Sushi Dai in Tsukiji Market.  Look at these photos!!!  I just want to lick my computer screen.  

It was 3,500 yen during lunch for 9 pieces of chef's choice plus two rolls & miso.  If you want to get the same quality of fish, it will cost 25,000 yen in Ginza.

I have to disclose the information that he waited 2 and half hours for this.  This is coming from a guy who hates waiting, which is a big problem in New York, and he said it was worth the wait.

Another thing, we both don't like Uni that much - actually refuse to eat it, but he said it tasted like butter.

So if you are in Tokyo next time and have a few hours to kill, check out Sushi Dai. 

Sushi Dai
Tsukiji Market Part 6 Bldg. 5-2-1 Tsukiji-shijo, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

81-(0)3547-6797

ChikaLicious

We walked by this place many times.  We never knew what it was.  It didn't look inviting from outside until we saw ChikaLicious on TV.  Yes, I admit it, I saw it on TV, but even after watching on TV, we still didn't put it together, until we walked by again.  It's right by our favorite restaurants - Curry Ya and Rai Rai Ken.

ChikaLicious is a dessert bar.  They offer 3 course menu or you can order a la carte.  You can also pair your dessert with wine.  Cheese cake, which looks like a white dome above is my favorite thing on the menu.

Also the chef prepares everything right in front of you, which is exciting to watch.
ChikaLicious also has a smaller and cheaper version right across street for quick bites. 

ChikaLicious
203 East 10th Street  New York, NY 10009

(212) 475-0929

www.chikalicious.com/

del Posto Prix Fixe lunch for $29

Those of you who follow this blog know how much I love Mario Batali, especially del Posto.
So as soon as I found out that del Posto has Prix Fixe lunch for $29, I had to go. Right after I came back from Spain, I still had a few days off from work, so Chris and I went for lunch (early lunch at noon, because it's still hard to get a reservation).

It's a three course menu, even though some of the dishes have extra charge, most of the courses don't. Plus it was good to know that you still get bread & lardo (my favorite). Portions were good enough for lunch and dessert was good size too.

Apparently, the lunch menu started to get people in and hope they would come back for more expensive dinner. But you know I would go back to del Posto any time.

http://www.delposto.com/menu.cfm?restaurantid=1&id=4

***UPDATE***  Price has gone up to $39.  But it's still a great deal!  (update: 9/1/12)

Pinotxo Bar

Michelle's friend recommended Pinotxo Bar, so we had to check it out. It's right inside of Boqueria market. We were lucky enough to grab two seats, because after us sitting down, people were waiting.

They have small dishes that they serve. It's perfect before/after shopping. We were there for later breakfast.



Address : La Rambla, 91
Zip code : 08001
City : Barcelona - Spain
Area : Ciutat Vella
Opening hours : 6am-4pm Monday to Saturday
Prices : From 3 to 10€
Phone : +34 93 317 17 31
Metro/Bus : Ramblas

Ohla - Gastonomic

Michelle and I both had a list of restaurants to check out but Barcelona turned out to be (as you would expect) a kind of city that you can just walk into any place and have an incredible meal.

Ohla hotel was one of places. Ohla hotel's restaurant on ground floor was not too far from our hotel (walking distance). So one day we were walking by and said we would come back for dinner.

Our Venezuelan waiter with American accent was very helpful and food was fantastic.
We ended up going back for second time.

Iberco ham and sardine

The most amazing shrimp I have ever had. I can't remember the name now, but they were from local bay

Dublin Bay shrimp - it looked more like spiny lobster to me and this was the reason why we went back the second time because first time we went there, they didn't have this

Ohla Hotel, Barcelona

Via Laietana, 49 - 08003 Barcelona - Spain

Phone: (+34) 933 415 050

Jamonisimo

Jamonisimo - was on my list. My search online made me believe that Jamonisimo was a restaurant with selling jamon on the side. Boy, was I surprised. It was actually the opposite. It was s jamon shop with two tables in the back.

And there was only one lady who was working there and she didn't speak any English. Because we were not having any issues with not speaking Spanish, we didn't have a phrase book with us either. Don't ask me how and why. We waited a while but got to sit down and had some salad and some jamon.

The lady cut jamons right at the spot - just with knife, no machine.
If you are in Barcelona, it's a stop you must make, but don't expect a good service, just stop by for some unbelievable meat that you come to Spain for.





http://www.jamonisimo.com/
Provenza, 85
Barcelona

Cervecería Catalana

One restaurant that was recommended to us was: Cervecería Catalana. It's a tapas bar but also with outdoor tables. It was known was one of the best tapas place and it definitely didn't disappoint.

Here are just a few photos and every dish we ordered was delicious. I still dream about them.... especially cuttlefish...




Cervecería Catalana
Address: Carrer de Mallorca, 236 (Barcelona)
Between Rambla de Catalunya and Balmes.

Roberta's

Roberta's is a well-known pizza restaurant in Bushwick. Even the ones that don't know where Bushwick is, they know Roberta's. We recently discovered that Roberta's has brunch menu. A place where brunch is hard to come by, it's a good option.


Roberta's
261 Moore Street
NY 11206-3816
(718) 417-1118
http://www.robertaspizza.com/

Momo Sushi Shack

Our new neighborhood, Bushwick, Brooklyn, is a "food wasteland." But more restaurants are opening (not as fast as I would like) and Momo Sushi Shack opened recently on Bogart.

It's not a normal sushi restaurant, so don't expect a big menu, but it's definitely a nice change. Plus it's around the corner from Roberta's. So while you are waiting for a spot at Roberta's, you can grab a bite here.




43 Bogart Street
Brooklyn NY 11206-3820
(718) 418-6666
http://www.momosushishack.com/

Joya Dorado Restaurant

You know... I am not the adventurous one in my household, Chris is. He's been venturing out to find restaurants and grocery markets in our new neighborhood, Bushwick, Brooklyn. Considering I was in Italy for 2 weeks, I am still new to the neighborhood, but Chris knows his way around this neighborhood already. He went out by himself today and tried chicken soup at Joya Dorado. He said it was good and was only $3. Can't complain about this price!


Joya Dorado Restaurant
132 Wyckoff Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237

Free Food @ Xi'an Famous Foods!

Do you remember our last visit to Flushing for some lamb burgers and handmade noodles?
Apparently, while I wasn't paying attention, that specific restaurant has been expanding. There is one location in Chinatown now, 2nd location in Flushing, and a new one is opening in East Village.

And on their opening day of one in East Village, they are giving out their free burgers.

Go check out Xi'an Famous Foods' new location on July 3rd! You must RSVP!

Opening on July 3rd:

81 St. Mark's Place
New York, NY 10003

Happy Anniversary!

Every anniversary, we try to go to a restaurant that we have never been to. This time, we decided on David Burke's Fishtail after trying out his other restaurant.

It's at a quite location, and restaurant itself was quiet, too, which is a plus.
My seafood tower had more to be desired but fish tacos were very good.







Fishtail by David Burke
135 East 62nd Street
New York, NY 10065-7301
(212) 754-1300

Tokyo Quest: Ramen 101

David Burke at Bloomingdale's

A friend of mine recommended a movie called Agora, which was about the fall of Roman Alexandria, and we went to see it today. Since we have been to Alexandria, I was curious how it was supposed to be...

Movie was very well done but was such a traumatic story...

After the movie we had to eat something good and Chris suggested David Burke at Bloomingdale's. Bloomingdale's is probably the only department store I go to... and I have never seen this restaurant before. The entrance is on 59th Street and we were served by the friendliest waiter.

Now I am interested in checking out his other restaurants.

Meatloaf

Hanger stake

David Burke at Bloomingdale's
1000 3rd Avenue New York, NY 10022
212-813-2195

Happy Birthday

Chris's birthday is around Mother's Day, so it's always hard to make reservations at restaurants. We wanted to go back to one of Mario Batali's restaurants, but the only place that we were able to get a reservation at was Lupa at 10PM.

So before dinner, we ate at Salt - the above picture is from Salt.
Salt serves everything organic, so it was very refreshing. We had appetizers there.
Plus it was nice to get a table without a reservation on a Saturday night, which is very unusual for Manhattan. It was very cozy inside and casual, which we enjoyed very much.

Then we were off to Lupa. We weren't that impressed with entrees, but were extremely happy with pasta dishes. We would definitely go back to Lupa for pastas.

http://www.saltnyc.com/
58 MacDougal Street
new york, NY 10012


http://www.luparestaurant.com/
170 Thompson Street
New York, NY 10012-2575

By the way, there was a Japanese restaurant next to Lupa, and people were lined up.
If you are in that neighborhood, check that out... Sorry, I can't remember the name...

Taverna Kyclades

I still keep in touch with a few ladies that I used to work with from my airline days. I can't believe that I left there almost 4 years ago. I still travel, but am definitely paying a lot for it these days.

This time we went to Taverna Kyclades in Astoria. A few friends told me about this place for a long time, and this time I was determined.

It definitely lived up to its hype. Greek salad (as shown above) was great. We also had grilled octopus, sea bass, and stuffed shrimp, and they were all really good and fresh.
But then what's there not to like!!! Fresh seafood, good weather, and great friends!!!
This time Chris joined as well.

Make sure to get there early. We were there by 6PM and got a table right away.
They don't take reservations, because they don't have to. If you don't get there early, be prepared to wait for an hour or more.


Taverna Kyclades

www.tavernakyclades.com
33-07 Ditmars Blvd
Queens, New York 11105

Sabaya at Intercontinental Cairo Semiramis

OK, by this point, I had already left Cairo, but the rest of crew went to Lebanese restaurant, Sabaya at Intercontinental.

Too bad, I missed it. They told me it was really good.

Intercontinental Cairo Semiramis
Corniche El Nil
PO Box 60
Cairo, 11511
Egypt
Front Desk: +++2-02-27957171 • Fax: ++2-02-27963020

Abou El Sid, Cairo

I had read about Abou El Sid in few different sources, but when Michelle's friend who used to live in Cairo recommended, it was a destination we couldn't miss.

Reservation is definitely recommended, even though we still had to wait for a while.
I have to say, it represented the best part of Egyptian cuisine. And prices were pretty reasonable.

Sorry for dark photos. The restaurant was pretty dark inside.






Abou El Sid
157, 26th of July Street, Zamalek, Cairo

Telephone: 73 59 640

Alexandria, Egypt

After a few days in crazy Cairo, we decided to head to Alexandria for a day. I read about this restaurant called "Fish Market," so we had to check that out too.

Fish Market was definitely a good choice. You get to choose your own seafood, and they cook it for you. Fish Market also had their own oven for bread. The best!!!

Appetizer set came with more than what you can ask for.

Choose your own seafood

Fish Market
Corniche, Bahari
Alexandria
+20 3 480 5119

Artichoke Pizza

I was told Artichoke had the best pizza in New York. I don't know about being the best but I have to say, it was pretty good. But don't expect to get a table, there are none. There are few benches outside.


We ordered Margarita, Artichoke, and Crab. Highly recommend all three of them.


http://www.artichokepizza.com/

328 East 14th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 228-2004