SKY GRILL RESTAURANT @ ASAKUSA VIEW HOTEL

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at this restaurant for Jec`s bday treat. The views of Tokyo were excellent and it was worthwhile moving around the restaurant to see the views from each side of the dining areas.

Had their  full lunch buffet which includes both the salad and hot entree tables.  It was the best salad bar I've seen in ages ... sweet potato, quality greens, cucumbers, pasta salad, table grapes and one of the best balsamic vinaigrette`s I've had at a restaurant.  

Desserts are meh...bread pudding without sauce, butter mochi, brownies,fruit and almond float.  Nothing to write home about.  I would say that that butter mochi is the best of the lot. 

Happy burpday Jec... Thanks for the hearty treat!!!!

RISTORANTE ITALIANO NEW YORK CITY

This is a fabulous little hidden gem  located on a weird street. We like a good dive so we decided to check this place out.  It is small and a little dingy in my standard but quite the norm at Little Italy in New York city

When you walk inside,  it had that warm feeling. Very home-y. We sat down right away and the staff there were very friendly! They recommended food options to us and were very patient with my indecisiveness that day. Thank you waiter! 

My friends had one of their thin crust pizza while I had their special homemade pasta with pesto sauce and seafood  risotto in  red sauce. Both were excellent. My pasta was perfectly al dente, which is very important for me, and had a nice kick to it which added to the all around flavor. 

If you're ever staying in this section of NY (sort of Times Square/Upper Midtown) I'd highly recommend hopping over here.

RISTORANTE ITALIANO
Little Italy NYC 

 

MK shabu shabu Shinjuku

After that big time disappoinment of not being able to get a table at dancing crab (see post here), our angel of the night, Pao and jec brought us here instead.

Their goma and ponzu sauce is full of flavor and the taste is on point. Shabu shabu after all is all about the dipping sauce, so its really important that that sauces are not watery, over salty or bland.

The meat, the vegies and the seafoods are absolutely amazing. The sweet spicy korean broth is a bomb.... love it love it love it... I like my broth spicy like that.

And most of all i came here for an imprumptu meetup with my girlfriends who never fails to make a gloomy evening light up with their bubbly and funny personalities... 

Shabu shabu here is by far the best ive ever had... hands down. 

MK SHABU SHABU
3-13-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 

 

PLAYING THE WAITING GAME AT DANCING CRABS

Ive been waiting for ages for this kind of restaurant with `seafood in a bag` to pop out anytime soon in Tokyo so when they announced their much awaited opening, I called to reserve but lo and behold  it  got me wondering anew why some restaurants take reservations, while others—to the annoyance of many diners, me included—don’t.

Not having to hold tables for reservations brings a certain chaos to a restaurant and annoyance from anticipation from  customers like us.  When we arrived there were queues of people hovered around this restaurant`s doorway  for more than 2 hours or more, waiting to be seated while enviously watching diners inside and inhaling lingering aromas as satisfied diners departed. I know it was frustrating for some, me included.

I saw some walk-ins as early as 7pm last night , but people in line  wants to know if we can actually be guaranteed a table, I think that’s really important. But dancing crabs staff was not able to give any assurance to all those hungry faces in line.. grrrrr.

But there is a fine line between doing what is right for the restaurant and what is in the best interests of the customer. A no-bookings policy crosses that line.

Glad we just had a fab pictorial after we cancelled it all together and ended the night at the best shabu shabu in town (see my next post)

EMPORIO ARMANI CAFFE

My team for a project collaboration at one of the company Im working insisted on feeding me. So glad they did coz I was able to experience how posh this place which is similar to the Armani designers lines: sexy chic as anticipated.

The decor was sharp, clean and quite modern yet cozy and romantic. The coveted views of the ritzy Omotesando  strip nearby enhances the restaurant's alure.

I had the eye round of beef with Piedmont green sauce and they melt in your mouth but lacking in taste. There was a little potato cream at the bottom and two small potatoes cooked to a golden crisp that were so soft in the middle. Black truffles on top.

The bread basket included flatbread as well as breadsticks, alongside sliced bread. However we found the sliced bread to actually be a bit stale.

Besides the gorgeous interior decor, the food was just as the 2 stars description puts it "Meh."  Personally I think Armani should stick to designing clothes...  Why the harsh rating? Well I got the tasting menu.  The tasting menu is usually comprised of the Chefs best representation of the menu.  And if that is what I had then I'm not too sure I would return.

 Anyway, I think the food is severely overpriced for its quality. You're better off going off to a mom-n-pop place for Italian food. You're basically paying for the snooty atmosphere.


EMPORIO ARMANI CAFFE
 5-2-29 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
near Omotesando station exit A5

KANSHIKIRYORI IFUU @ GINZA

Our group of five headed to this restaurant on a Thursday night. We made a reservation, shifted our time up because they had an opening, and were seated immediately when we arrived.

 Pork belly, Spicy pork, and kalbi, with a side order of kimchee pancakes!! Nom NOM NOM, We can just smell the meat cooking and charring as I slowly eat the sides and allow my garlic to cook in the juices of the kimchee and meat.  

All of this was more than enough food for the all of us, since we were mostly stuffing our faces with the delicious meats and a million different banchans served.

 I also surprised janina who was celebrating her bday that month with this amazing dessert spread that  also serves as her cake.

I'm happy I found this place at gourmet Tokyo. The  delectable food & outstanding service really won me over. I'll most definitely be back  next time with hubby.

KANSHIKIRYORI IFUU

12th floor Maronnier Gate Ginza

 

FOGO DE CHAO @ ORLANDO FLORIDA

Ive been to a couple of Fogo de chao`s  all over the globe  or a churrascaria type of restaurants (see previous post here ,  here and here ) but this branch in Orlando did not meet the same standard in all areas as my first experience but it still was a great experience mainly because of the company Im with.
 

Although Im familiar with this chain of restaurants  but not this particular location, so there weren't too many surprises anymore.  Generally, my experience turns on the service received and the quality of the meats rotating on the floor. 

 Dining at Fogo for lunch or dinner is always a treat.  It is a very expensive experience, but you are notice prior to arrival - especially for dinner- so it's hard to complain about the price despite being exorbitant.


 
I recommend not eating anything a day prior lolz, wearing stretchy clothing, and prepare for the meat sweats.  Call in advance for large parties and expect to pay at least $80 a head for dinner.  

 If you are seeking to experience Fogo de Chao for the first time, come for lunch.  You get the same foods but at half the cost.

 
FOGO DE CHAO ORLANDO
8282 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States

+1 407-370-0711