15 Romolo is in a little hotel in North Beach that’s been around since the early 1900’s, owned now by the Rye guys who have recently renovated the space. It’s got a kickass juke, a menu of classic cocktails and a kitchen cranking out some downhome apps. It’s my little SF version of Hotel Del […]
Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori
January 6, 2010
Packaging Whore: Vanilla Extract Throwback
Oh, you’re gonna love this. I was shuffling through the spicerack in my mama’s kitchen the other day, preparing to make my buttered bread pudding, when I finally found what I was looking for: vanilla extract. Hmmm, I thought: this looks a bit outdated, no? Curiously, I examined the box. Gotta love the faux wood […]
January 4, 2010
NYE 2009: Flour + Water (SF)
Rang in the new year (well, almost) at the mucho-hyped, impossible-to-get-a-reservation, must-wait-over-an-hour-for-a-table Italian spot/pizzeria Flour + Water, in the Mission district, SF. Four-course prix-fixe menu, A Night in Emilia-Romagna, dedicated to THE SUPREME food region in Italy. Bologna, holler! Above: Tortellini en brodo with parmesan truffle & house cured meats, amuse bouche style. A shot […]
December 31, 2009
Reflection: A Decade of Fatty
I’ve been a bit nostalgic these days, with the end of the decade approaching… any minute now. It’s a heavy load! The 00’s have certainly been a heartstopping (OBAMA!) slash heartbreaking (9/11) decade. Sigh. It’s over. As I have thought heavily on the best films (IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, dir. Wong Kar-wai), books (PATTERN […]
December 29, 2009
Postcards from Japan, XV: Fujiya Strawberry Shortcake
Isn’t she darling? Fujiya is a very old bakery/sweetshop chain in Japan– my dad always tells me that as a child, it was a super special treat to ever get a cake from Fujiya. This was the very last thing I ate in Japan, in Narita airport. Au revoir, Tokyo!
December 27, 2009
Chez Panisse: Petit Four (Berkeley)
Chocolate ganache | Almond shortbread thumbprints with meyer lemon peel and icing. Find my meal in pictures here.
December 23, 2009
Postcards from Japan, XIV: Field of Aloe
A field of aloe in Izu, peaking onto a breathtaking view of the sea. This was a center dedicated to just aloe, and sold anything from curative aloe candy, aloe soft serves, to magically healing aloe lotions. Remember Yamahomo’s post on aloe yogurt? PS: Sorry I haven’t been posting much- I’ve been crazy busy at […]
December 21, 2009
Postcards from Japan, XIII: The Sazae Clam
Got these clams from a roadside seafood guy that Naoko always goes to in Katsuura, Chiba. I remember he worked out of a ramshakle space, dotted with random trinkets for tourists and framed dust-covered posters from the 70’s. You would never think this were a place to get the freshest, top-of-the-line seafood. He must sell […]
December 17, 2009
Postcards from Japan, XII: The Lunch Set
God, I get so excited when I look at this photo. The bowls and plates, of all different colors, shapes and sizes– it’s all so visually stimulating. This was in a roadside restaurant in Izu, a seaside town known for their onsen (hot springs). In the middle there, that’s stewed fish, and to the left […]
December 16, 2009
The Essence of Winter: Satsuma Mikan
In Japan, the start of the satsuma mikan (tangerine) season is truly the mark of winter. It’s a specific breed of oranges that are sweet like honey and the skin just peels right off. My folks have a satsuma tree in the backyard. Lucky me! Here’s my bounty for the week– there I am in […]