Monday, November 24, 2008

Japan Trip 2008-Nov.23&Nov. 24

It's been about two years since I have visited to Japan last time. Although, I will stay this time for only 12 days, I want to introduce the food enjoyed fully in the meantime.

When I arrived to Narita Airport, I didn't feel much cold than I expected. That's good.
My mother brought NADAMAN bento-box for the dinner. That's beautiful and tasty. Well, it has been suddenly charmed by the dinner of rich color of Japan. I feel very much like "I am in JAPAN!". LOL

Nadaman Bento Box-sushi


【Today's Dishes】
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Singapore Airline-Lunch Singapore Airline-Dessert Ice Cream Singapore Airline-Snack

Singapore Airline-Light Lunch Nadaman Bento Box Nadaman Bento Box

Beaujolais Nouveau Unagi-Sea Eel Sea EelUnagi-Sea Eel

Melon Pan with Melon Cream Melon Pan with Melon Cream Kinki Fish

Fish Bones Sushi Mix Vegatable

Salald Yakitori Liver

Lemon Liqueur Cointreau

And it is the 2008 beaujolais nouveau which was received together. My mother is serious wine lover so, I actually was expected that I could drink it absolutely when I am in Japan this time. Although nouveau comment this year are young, it is very well substantial. It was comparatively delicious.

And Monday, the 24th. Suddenly, by a jet lag, I awoke up before 4:00am wide in the morning. Natto (Fermented soybeans) and boiled rice are managed for my light breakfast. And my mon and I were going to shopping to a department store.

We ate Unagi (eels) for lunch. After the lunch, we went to DEPA-CHIKA(Food section for department store). Everytime I am back to Japan. I see so much food is overflowing everywhere in Japan. When I lived in Japan, it was not worrisome at all, but after I am living in the United States, this is very well worrisome. what although I think that food that overflows and is on the contrary is not sold out at all, will happen to the remaining foods which will be thrown away, of course. I feel that it is quite wasteful. Even if it sees only this, it feels actually that it is an extravagant country as Japan.

Anyway, I have requested KINKI fish for tonight dinner. When coming back to Japan, it is one of the food to eat absolutely. It is delicious! Like the photograph, there are nothing but the bone, I sucked and ate finely. LOL

And this thick-rolled sushi one of my favorite food in Japan as well.

I had a melon pan(Melon flavored bread) from famous Japanese fruit shop in Shinjuku which using actual muskmelon fruit juice for ths inside custard cream. It's cost 231 yen per piece. But it't worth it.

I was enjoyed a lot of delicious food from the first day. Yay!

To be continued--

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Hitching Post II@Buellton

We have been to the winery of Lompoc neighborhood near Santa Barbara last weekend. Santa Barbara is famous for there being many wineries, and some wineries are in the movie "Sideways" which was released in 2004.

We were headed to the "Melville" winery that my friend reccomended. When we arrived, autumnal leaves were beautiful. "Melville" tasting room was carrying out smaller than I imagine. And it is 10 dollars of tasting seven kinds of wine per person.

After we enjoyed the "Melville" tasting room, we were headed to unusual place called Ghetto Winery where we were recommended by the person who works at "Melville". This tasting room was amazing. They have served high quality cheese and salami with wine. It's small but the most of wine we tasted were good. I really liked one kind white wine a lot. I learned the grapes of these wines came originally from Italy.

After we had a great time at Palmina tasting room, we went to the steakhouse "Hitching Post II" which in "Sideways". It took about 15min from the tasting room to arrive at the restaurant and people were overflowing outside of restaurant. We were told about 2 hours wait for the table. So, we took counter seats to dine. We ordered a bottle of Merlot 2005("Hitching Post II" brand) and Prime Top Sirloin to share. I was surprised we can choose three side dishes from salad, soup, shrimp cocktail, rice pilaf, Baked Potato or French fries. What a bargain! Baked potato, salad and soup were chosen this time.

Prime Top Sirloin


【Winery+Today's Dishes】
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melville winery melville winery melville winery
melville winery melville winery melville winery
melville winery melville winery melville winery
wine tasting Wine Tasting melville winery
melville winery palmina tasting room palmina tasting room
palmina tasting room palmina tasting room palmina tasting room
Palmina tasting room Hitching Post II Prime Top Sirloin Side Salad
French Onion Soup Hitching Post II SIDEWAYS Hitching Post II
Arne's Famous Aebleskiver Aebleskiver and Denish Sausage Aebleskiver Maker
Solvang Hitching Post II Hitching Post II

Prime Top Sirloin is delicious!!! The meat roasted slightly smokily is juicy and flavorful! I think it's rare to find such a delicious steak even in Los Angeles. I was impressed by remarkable delicacy. Merlot was delicious also, and I understand the reason for being so popular. After our belly were full of delicious food, we looked for the place to stay tonight near this restaurant.

The next day, we had a breakfast in Solvang. Probably it is for the first time in more than ten year since I had lived in Santa Barbara. Breakfast is a round pancake "Aebleskiver" like the large version of the octopus dumplings(OKONOMIYAKI) that it is a noted product of Denmark. We also had Denish sausage.

What a great weekend we spend. The season of autumn is also very suited for the winery visiting.

THE HITCHING POST II
406 E. Highway 246
Buellton, CA 93427 MAP
Phone:(805)688-0676
http://www.hitchingpost2.com/
Rating:★★★★