Author Archives: Moto Yamamoto


January 7, 2009

Closure to The Lobster

by Moto Yamamoto

I know I’ve done many lobster postings, but I had to do it again. Thanks, or due to the economic crisis, no one is buying lobster these days. Lobster used to be a status symbol (really?) for the rich. They are not cheap, and if you have them at restaurants, they are pretty pricey. It […]

January 6, 2009

Okonomiyaki Takoyaki Party

by Moto Yamamoto

Happy New Year! 2009 doesn’t look different from 2008 at all. I thought about cutting back 1. smoking, 2. boozing, 3. eating, plus adding exercise into my daily routine, but already failed all of them, or wait, I didn’t even try. It’s still in my head, thinking I will be able to accomplish them some […]

December 30, 2008

Recession Christmas Eve Dinner

by Moto Yamamoto

Since Kayoko left NYC, I feel everyone is slacking from posting, including myself. I need someone to kick my butt to do anything, and not having Kayoko constantly telling me to “post post post”, it’s hard to write.. I’ve been cooking just like usual, but being lazy about documenting or writing about it. Since I’ve […]

December 15, 2008

Holiday Cookie Decorating Party

by Moto Yamamoto

Every year around this time, I am in Japan for half business and half vacation. But this year’s financial crisis has hit my work pretty badly, and my travel budget got cut. Hence, I will stay in New York this year. After Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking about how I am going to spend the holiday […]

December 1, 2008

Saved by Alton Brown

by Moto Yamamoto

Thanksgiving came and went. Usual things were made. Soup, salad, bird, all the side dishes, nice dessert, including pumpkin creme brulee. You can look at my previous year’s spread since many of the items were pretty similar. One freaky thing happened. This year’s bird was 20 lb, and general rule of thumb is 15 minutes […]

November 21, 2008

Cabo Report Part 3 of 3

by Moto Yamamoto

We splurged at one of the best restaurants in Cabo, which was conveniently located in the hotel we stayed at. We asked concierge to make a reservation, and I casually asked about dress code, and she said “elegant outfit”. WTF does that mean? It’s a beach vacation, and Nate only had a pair of jeans, […]

November 20, 2008

Cabo Report Part 2 of 3

by Moto Yamamoto

What is real Mexican food? I always wonder what really is. All I eat here are 1. Tacos, 2. Quessadilla, 3. Chips and Salsa, or Guacamole. I guess mole, enchilada, stuffed peppers? are also Mexican? West Coast people say East Coast Mexican food sucks, but I just don’t know enough about what’s good or not. […]

November 14, 2008

Cabo Report Part 1 of 3

by Moto Yamamoto

We made a recession trip to Cabo San Lucas over the weekend. How recession friendly? Airfare – Miles redeemedHotel – my bf is VERY travel savvy and found a crazy deal at Sheraton for $30 a night. Must be computer glitch, since regular price was $350 a night.. $120 for 4 nights, cheaper than YMCA!Booze […]

October 28, 2008

That Gourd…

by Moto Yamamoto

What should I do with it? That huge dildo, I mean gourd was sitting in my living room after Kayoko’s goodbye party. We had so much fun carrying around the thing, but it wasn’t one of those mini gourds you see at this time of the season at restaurants or as home decor. Way too […]

October 16, 2008

Traditional Japanese Pickling (Nuka-Zuke)

by Moto Yamamoto

Traditionally every Japanese household pickled vegetables in Nuka (rice bran). The translation doesn’t cut it too well. Rice Bran is too pretty. It’s should be called rice shells in powder form. Nowadays, you can buy nuka pickled vegetables at grocery stores, so more and more people have stopped pickling their own vegetables at home. I, […]