Orenchi

I've tried ramen at lots of different places recently and I still think Orenchi has the best one. It's located at 3540 Homestead Road in Santa Clara. Apparently, they'll be opening a location in SF soon. The broth is rich and not too salty, the ramen is toothy and the egg is soft boiled. I just wish the egg was hot. It's still crowded and you have to arrive around 10:30 to put your name in for the 11:30 opening.

Orenchi Ramen with Tonkatsu Broth--$9.80.

We know what we want and we order as soon as we sit down. 30 minutes later, we're out the door. That's fast turnover!



2014 09 13

Wednesday Night Dinner

Last week, they had spice-brined grilled pork chops at Flavor's Wednesday Night dinner. This is my favorite entree on Wednesday night and we couldn't miss it.

Minestrone Soup

Salad with Endive

Flatbread--these were delicious.

The pork chops were served with sun-dried fruit compote, whipped potatoes, creamy spinach with homemade sausage, carrots and Blue Lake beans.

Dessert was Chocolate Foldovers with Whipped Cream

2014 09 10

Yakitori

Just the next block over from the Hearton Hotel was a Yakitori place. Be sure to make reservations because they fill up fast.

We sat in front of the grill and watched the action.

Chilled Tofu with Salt & Basil Sauce--Y 340. Delicious. The tofu was creamy and it's amazing what a little salt does to it.

We tried an assortment of yakitori. Believe it or not, the best was actually the tail for Y 220. It had the most flavor.

Meatball with glutinous rice--Y 300. The meatball was good but the rice was too crunchy.

Small Sweet Green Peppers-- Y180. These are shishito peppers and I love them. Not too spicy but with a nice flavor.

2014 05 15

Misoguigawa

When in Kyoto, you have to try Kaiseki--a traditional multi-course Japanese meal. It's similar to the tasting menus featured at high-end restaurants in the US. I thought I would try something a little different and went for French Kaiseki.

Misoguigawa is located in Pontocho. We went at lunchtime and sat in the Kibune room. You can also choose a private room but we figured lunch wasn't formal enough to warrant a private room.

Amuse Bouche--Peeled Tomato with Cheese Mousse, Smoked Salmon with Black Olive, Puff Pastry with Broccoli Mousse & Pistachio, French Mushrooms in Vinegar and Honey

You have several choices at lunch. You can have a French "Pour Madame" for Y 4500, which was a light meal and then 3 Kaiseki menus: Mai--Y 7000, Hana--Y 10,000 or Nagomi--Y 13,000. Tax and service charge were not included. 

One of us got the Mai:

Turnip mousse with spring onion “kujo-negi” sauce, Shrimp & Olive

Scallop with spring cabbage topped with hiratake 

Flat fish (hirame) in foyot style (grilled with cheese) with onion, radish, daikon, tomato

Green pea cream soup, cappuccino style 

Chicken with cream sauce. This was cooked sous vide and was very tender. That's seasonal vegetables in the side bowl.

Crème brulée

The other got the Hana:

White asparagus in Charlotte style with Cauliflower Mousse &
bouquet of herb and prawn, red sweet pepper cream sauce

Sauted foie gras with risotto in a white wine sauce. How can you go wrong with foie gras. This was creamy and flavorful.

Homar lobster cream soup, cappuccino style. Great rich lobster flavor.

Crêpe parmentier of Norwegian salmon with tomato sauce

Ama natsu (Japanese orange) sherbet

Japanese beef served with stroganoff sauce 

Seasonal vegetables

Assortment of French cheese--Bleu D'Ambert & Brie

Nougat ice cream with pistachio sauce

This was the mignardise that we shared--almond tuile, apricot tart, chocolate gateaux, raspberry macaron, truffle, financier (dome shaped tea cake), cassis gelee & canele.

I thought the Hana was a better deal because there were more courses and the ingredients were better. We had a great lunch!



2014 05 15

Kyoto Bakery

Just near the Imperial Palace, we came upon Boulangerie Frian Dise. It was one of the best finds on our trip.

Y 290--pull-apart sesame bread.

Y 200--sweet pastry with almonds

Y 180--ham & cheese bread

2014 05 15

Aoi Matsuri

It just happened that our trip coincided with the Aoi Matsuri festival. This is one of 3 main annual festivals held in Kyoto. 

Aoi Matsuri or Hollyhock Festival dates back to the 6^th century. Because of disastrous rains that ruined the crops and epidemics that spread across the country, the Emperor sent his messenger with a retinue to the shrine to appease the deities. This became an annual event and is still celebrated to this day. The hollyhock leaves are used to decorate the floats because they are believed to protect against natural disasters.

The procession, made up of imperial messengers and a retinue of 511 people dressed in traditional costume, 36 horses, 4 oxen and 2 carriages, leaves from the Kyoto Gosho (Imperial Palace) and heads for Shimogamo-jinja & Kamigamo Jinja. You can purchase tickets for Y 2000 yen and get a seat or just show up at the Imperial Palace and sit on the ground. We arrived at 9:30 am and were able to get great spots. You can also view the parade along the parade route. 

The parade started at 10:30 am from the palace and lasted just 40 minutes. It was a somber affair. No music, no words, no noise other than the creaking of the carts. At the shrines, additional ceremonies are performed that may last up to 2 hours.

Seats for patrons with tickets.

Ox-drawn carriage

Furya Gasa--decorated umbrellas

The Saio-Dai was traditionally a woman who was chosen from the sisters and daughters of the emperor to dedicate herselt to the Shimogamo shrine. Now, the role is played by an unmarried woman from Kyoto. She wears 12 layers of the traditional style robes.

2014 05 15

Takayama

After a quick nap back at the hotel, we walked back to Pontocho in search of dinner. We found Takayama, a local restaurant with set meals.

 Karaage (fried chicken) set meal for Y672. The chicken had a crispy skin but was tender and moist inside. The meal included miso soup, rice, salad and tofu--quite a bargain for under $7.

Kyoto Dinner Special for Y997. This was braised fish, miso soup, marinated seaweed, root vegetables and tofu.

Dessert was black sesame ice cream for Y250. This was delicious. I wish I could find this at home.

2014 05 14