Kyoto Fall 2010

Kyoto

My very 1st time visited this charming old city. During my staying, happened to be its annual Momiji season (japanese maple foliage)... The mountains surrounding Kyoto became a palate of vibrant red, orange and yellow; breathe taking scenery, hard to be described in words and captured in photos.....

Using JR PASS(28,300 yen, need to be purchased at foreign country before arriving Japan), take 新幹線 ひかり(Hikari) from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station, total about 2.5 hrs.. (JR Pass does not valid for のぞみ(Nozomi- express train), suggest to make seat reservation at any JR ticket booth before the trip) ひかりruns almost every 30 mins.

11/20
Headed over 祇園 (Gion) area around noon, visited 1st temple :)

八坂神社 (Yasaka Jinja)

I was lucky, ran into a traditional wedding ceremony

followed guide book to おかる(Okalu) for lunch - curry udon 840 yen (to be honest, i think it was just okay... :P)

after lunch, I got attracted by all the small traditional gift shops on東大路通 (Higashioji-dori)... 

stop by祇園小石 (gion koshii) for dessert (average about 20-30 mins wait), this store is famous with it's gluten dessert, love the あんみつ(anmitsu, abt 850 yen) basically, this is the main course i have everyday for the entire trip...:p 

wandering around 花見小路 (Hanamikoji), an alley where still preserve traditional building architectures from ancient time.. and currently occupied by small tea houses, restaurants and ochaya (geisha house).. 

at the end of Hanamikoji, you will see a small temple-Keni-ji (Kyoto's oldest zen temple. Founded in 1202 by the priest Eisai, it was patterned after Bai-zhang-shan, China's first Zen monastary, in accordance with the Song dynasty style of architecture. The garden is done in the "dry mountains and water style" often found in Zen temples.)

Finally, ended my day at this Japanese-French style restaurant O.MA.YA, reservation recommended. Tatami seat setting, prepare to sit for 2.5-3 hrs... average set menu 3200-6000 yen

11/21 day trip to 奈良 (Nara) - home of deers....:)

JR 新幹線 from Kyoto station. It was quite easy to explore Nara's historical area. Got off at Nara station, walked across the street and follow newly renovated pedestrian path, it will lead you to couple famous temples. Due to time limit, I only visit 2 temples this time

東大寺 (Todai-ji), with entrance fee 500 yen

二月堂 (Nigatsu-do) - giant lantern from old time looks like a spaceship shape, quite unique... also a great location to overview the entire area..

late lunch at 天極堂 (Tengyokudo) - famous for its 葛 product, supposed good for health

11/22

since JR pass is 7 day unlimited, took advantage of it and went to another temple at Kyoto outskirt, one stop away from Kyoto Station to

東福寺 (Tofuku-ji) - my favorite temple among all others that i've been visited this time... however, visiting this temple needs to pay entry admission for every tourist spots, which's still highly recommended... During momiji season, walked thru 通天橋(400 yen),  all you can see are maples leaves in red/ orange/ yellow color, felt like got sink into an ocean of maple leaves...

after an unforgeable momiji baptism, took 京板線 to 清水寺 (kiyomizu dera), get off at 清水五条通, it might be difficult to get cab over there, take about 20 mins walk to the temple..on the way, do check out kiyomizu yaki stores (kyoto style porcelain/ pottery)...

inside of 清水寺, there's another small temple which is specializing on blessing for relationship and marriage.. at the entrance you will see 2 big stones set in at both side of the alley, as traditiona, if ones can safely walk from one side to the other with eyes closed, will successfully get the love s/he wants. who knows... :p

make sure walk around surrounding area (三, 四, 五条通, there are lots of small store and craft shops.. 

Kyoto is also famous with its TOFU cuisine... cousin recommend this restaurant on 三条通 

奧丹 (okutan)- tofu here are still made with traditional method, got a yutofu set abt 3500 yen... come with boiled yutofu, tempura, sesame cold tofu, natto for rice topping and grill tofu.. 

after satisfied my tummy, randomly walked into a small alley around 高台寺(didn't get to this temple due to bad weather) ねねの道 (nene no michi), and found my FAVORITE dessert place- 都路里 (Tsujiri, this is the must have every time when i am in tokyo, kyoto is the original store and have couple locations) even thought i was heavily stuffed from my late lunch, still couldn't resist dessert temptation, and was really lucky only waited for 10 mins.. usually is about 1 hr wait, no matter which location you go.. gotta plan ahead... they are famous with their green tea products... yummmmmmm~~~~~

afterwards, walked all the way back to GION and check out dry food market 錦市場 (Nishiki market), it was a bit late when i got there, only saw couple stalls.. most of them has already closed... but got the idea how it looks like during day time... 

Around Nishiki Market is probably the most busy shopping area in Kyoto, quote from Jessy, it's the 5 Ave of Kyoto... you will find Takashimaya, Louis Vuitton, Tommorrow land, Ships, and other brand stores here.. 

As for dinner.. i was still full from all the eating, got take out order from かねる(kanenu) 鰻屋 from guide book..  > <

(picture upload)

My shopping victory... ^0^

Kyoto Subway Map for ref

http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/subway.html

Per Se (French)

Michelin 3 stars, Thomas Keller's very 1st restaurant in New York

Located on 4th fl in Time Warner building, currently Per Se has just add lunch menu to their service, only open on Fri, Sat and Sunday.. 5 courses for $175 prix fixe (gratitude is included)
Friend Jany came visit and has requested to go back again... this is probably the most expensive lunch I ever spent so far.. 

This classic french restaurant, oversee the entire Columbus Circle and Central Park South, a perfect place for our girls' luncheon gathering on sunday noon..
dinner prix fixe $275

here is what I had on 10/31/2010

Amuse Bouche

• Salmon Rillette  

• puff bakery

1st Course

• Tartar of Atlantic Fluke w cauliflower, green pistachios and apricots "en Vierge" (sauce made from olive oil, lemon juice etc)

2st Course

• Maine Sea Urchin w buckwheat capellini, matsutake mushrooms and black winter truffle emulsion

3nd Course

• Columbia River Sturgeon " Schnitzle", this might sounds weird to have fish prepped in german way... but it taste quit good.. crispy Spatzle,  caramelized savoy cabbage, macoun apples and caper brown butter

4rd Course

• Degustation of Broken Arrow Ranch's Venison w sweet potato confit, honey poached cranberries and "Sauce Poivrade" (A sauce made of beef stock, vinegar, onions, & carrots)

5th Course DESSERT!!!! so nice of them to give each of us different dessert to try out instead of only one on the prix fixe

• "M&M'S" pretzel chips, candied peanuts, madagascar vanilla mousse and mast brother's chocolate ice cream

• "Tropical Tea" passionfruit-chocolate cremeux, earl grey genoise, passionfruit mousse and earl grey ice cream (this got our best vote!!!1)
• "Toffee Apple" apple "creme patissiere, caramel jelly, poached snow apples, root beer soda and caramel ice cream
• "PB & J" peanut parfait, crystallized lemon verbena, toasted virginia peanuts and concord grape sherbet

and FINAL... tons tons of Mignardises....

note: we are also very impressed with its service would definitely give extra tips to the server even the price is including gratitude already... also, feel free to order wide selection of tea and coffee.. it's also including in the price..

good to have you back Jany..... :)

Category: French 

10 Columbus Cir
(between Broadway & W Central Park)
New York, NY 10019
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West

(212) 823-9335

www.perseny.com

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Russel Wright Center

Russel Wright, the industrial designer who brought hight-style dinnerware to the postwar masses, was so tuned in to nature's palette, he transformed the color scheme of the rooms in Manitoga, his private house and studio, to match the change of season all the way down to draperies.
A faithful restoration of this mid-century studio, an hour north of New York City in the river town of Garrison, has been completed. Boulders, birch bark, and other natural accents once again harmonize with surrounding woods and waterfall of the renowned artist's 75 acre spread.


Manitoga, Rte 9D
Garrison, NY
tel: 845 424 3812
http://www.russelwrightcenter.org/redesign/index.html

Brussels Sprouts

• For Brussels sprouts
• 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• For dressing
• 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce (preferably Tiparos brand)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped mint
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro stems
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 (1 1/2-inch) fresh red Thai chile, thinly sliced crosswise, including seeds. (I used dried and halved the amount.)

1. Preheat oven to 450°F with a rack in the upper third of the oven. Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts, toss with oil, and roast, cut side down on baking sheet, for 20-35 minutes, depending on size and desired taste. They should brown but remain somewhat firm.
2. Meanwhile, stir together the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl.
3. When sprouts are done, transfer to a serving bowl and add just enough dressing to coat. Top with more chopped mint or cilantro

The Adore (French/ Japanese Cafe)

This Japanese/ French tea house has been my favorite since school time.. always sneak down for a cup of coffee and croissant during class break...
In a sunny afternoon, got a table next to the window, heart warming sun shine lightly touching your face. It has been more than 12 years.. still loving this intimate setting cafe, which consistently serving quality sandwiches and pastries... good place to get away from noisy city life and find yourself a peaceful mind here...

Categories: French, Japanese, Bakeries 

17 E 13th St
(between 5th Ave & University Pl)
New York, NY 10003

(212) 243-8742

Eataly (Italian)

spotted.... MB in the store

wow wow wow... this is a mega food court/ supermarket/ cafe all in one store... co-owner Mario Batali brought this Italian market in to New York... it's a fantastic concept for the big apple..

when you first walk in from 5ave entrance, you will find gelato stand, coffee bar, dessert bar and some imported snack stuffs and further in will see few food court sections which are specialized in fish, pasta/ pizza, vegetable and meat, each one occupied its own corner... and.... you can't leave out the salumi/ prosciutto/ cheese bar, enjoy the fresh cut meats and pair with imported wine for a quick meal, like how Italian do...

besides the eating sections, there are also supermarket/ bookstore/ supplies area which are featuring italian specialty and design for customer to purchase.

with all the fancy ideas, the food itself also have "fancy price".. it's pretty much the same price tag as regular restaurants.. so far, i had their fish and pasta.. do sustain MB standard, but i would still prefer to pay that price in a good service 

restaurants....what do you think?

ps. suggest to give yourself  1/2 or an hr table waiting time.. go early to put your name down and walk around the market while you are waiting..

Category: Italian

200 5th Ave
New York, NY 10010
Neighborhood: Flatiron

www.newyork.eataly.it/

Sushi of Gari (Japanese)

This is my #1 sushi/ sashimi restaurant in New York... of course there are other good ones, but Gari is always my first choice when it comes to sushi under higher budget condition...:p

If you are looking for ordinary sushi/sashimi don't come to this place.. check out my other posting for better reference. I would totally recommend their Omakase, with fresh daily catch, each pieces are specially prepared or paired with different ingredient/ sauce, really enhance the taste flavor.

staff services are very friendly, not like some japanese restaurants wouldn't let customer substitute things you don't like.. 

currently they have 3 locations, would not suggest to go UWS, stick with original store on UES. Reservation recommend.

Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese

402 E 78th St
(between 1st Ave & York Ave)
New York, NY 10021

(212) 517-5340