Tag Archives: Restaurant

Raku—the one Restaurant you must go to in Las Vegas

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Raku’s Crispy Fried Shrimp Appetizer

Raku’s Crispy Fried Shrimp Appetizer

Dining at Raku—a Japanese restaurant specializing in charcoal grilled foods, house-made tofu, and other Japanese fare—is a sensual food experience you don’t want to miss! Each bite ignites your taste buds and leaves you in culinary bliss. When the food arrives, life slows down, conversation stops, your attention shifts to the food; you savor and enjoy the delicacies served, then eagerly wait for the next course. It’s almost meditative—your mind focusing on the simple task of eating and enjoying the food set before you. Raku means comfort in Japanese and I can’t think of a more fitting name for a restaurant. read more

An Insider’s Guide to Eating Like a Local in Mie Prefecture, Japan

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Yasushi and Kinuko in Front of the Meoto Iwa Shrine in Mie Prefecture, Japan

Yasushi and Kinuko in Front of the Meoto Iwa Shrine in Mie Prefecture, Japan

After our adventures in Tokyo and Daisetsuzan, we traveled to Mei Prefecture, where we stayed with family friends Yasushi and Kinuko. These gracious and hospitable local hosts planned an itinerary filled with cultural and historical sites, museums, and their favorite restaurants. Each day, they introduced us to different types of Japanese cuisine and what Yasushi described as food “challenges,” which we eagerly took on! read more

Eating Tonkatsu at Katsukura Shinjuku Restaurant

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Tonkatsu Pork Filet and Prawn at Katsukura Shinjuku

Tonkatsu Pork Filet and Prawn at Katsukura Shinjuku

Katsukura Restaurant is located on the 14th floor of the Takashimaya Mall in Shinjuku, a short walk from Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens.  Katsukura specializes in tonkatsu—a Japanese dish consisting of pork that has been coated in flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs, and then deep fried. This preparation produces delicately airy pork with a crispy exterior. If you visit Japan, you must try tonkatsu at least once!

Katsukura is a tourist-friendly restaurant. Upon arrival, they brought us cold barley tea (commonly served in the summertime in Japan) and offered us English menus. Fans of Japanese whiskey will be happy to see that you can order a high-ball of Yamazaki or Hakushu for around ¥650 (~$5-$6 USD). This is not bad at all given the price of Japanese whiskey in the States! read more

Eating Tsukemen (Dipping Ramen) at Fuunji in Tokyo

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Special Tsukemen with Extra Chashu Pork at Fuunji Restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Despite howling winds and lashing rain from an approaching typhoon, Corey and I braved the streets of Shinjuku in search of a delicious meal. It was our second night in Japan and we couldn’t let two days go by without having any noodles!

Originally, we’d planned to eat soba in memory lane our first night in Tokyo at Kameya Shinjuku, but that had been thwarted by the Obon holiday. So we weren’t going to let the weather stop us from eating at Fuunji! read more

Eating at Alinea – A Magical Dining Experience!

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Alinea Restaurant Exterior

Alinea’s nondescript exterior–it’s the gray building in the middle.

Alinea has been on my radar for a while now. I first heard about it in 2012 when one of my favorite food bloggers wrote about her experience. In 2013, Bon Appétit named Alinea the fourth best restaurant in America (see The 20 Most Important Restaurants in America). It’s also one of only two restaurants in Chicago with three Michelin stars, and it has been recognized as one of the world’s 50 best restaurants since 2007. read more