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May 3, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol. 016

by Kayoko Akabori

Mining the i n t e r n e t for stuff worth reading (just a few days shy of breaking news): Champion coffee siphon girl visits Blue Bottle Cafe in SF- pretty sweet video (I know that guy in the cardigan!). How does one go about winning such an awesome title? (via SF Eater, […]

May 1, 2008

Danran Sushi (Tokyo)

by Yoko Kumano

Aside from the fact that this was the site of my first date with my current partner, this spot is one of my favorites in the world. Nestled in Setagayaku’s Sakurajosui, Danran sushi (danran definition: sit in a (family) circle and chat happily; enjoy each other’s [one another’s] company) serves up fish dishes and sushi […]

April 26, 2008

The Umami Reader, vol.015

by Kayoko Akabori

Mining the i n t e r n e t for stuff worth reading (sorry, there’s a lot this week): The global food crisis, rising food costs, and something about fossil fuels (NY Sun) Interview with David Bouley: on kaiseki, Tribeca, and his upcoming 3 tier, behemoth of a restaurant, Brush Stroke. I’m sorry Dave, […]

April 24, 2008

I Didn’t Bake, But I Made Ramen

by Moto Yamamoto

My obsession for baking is somewhat subsiding, also my social calendar is a bit busy and I don’t have time to spend all night in the kitchen. After my crappy experience at Ippudo, I decided I make my own ramen soup. Noodles are too hard to make from scratch (or is it? Should that be […]

April 21, 2008

Yamahomo Finally Wins – Trial #4, 5, and 6

by Moto Yamamoto

*Preface in 2 Posts- Yamahomo vs. Laduree Macaron Battles Part 1 & 2 The Battle Continues I must master this. I think I came pretty close to what macaron should be on trial 3, but I mixed the batter too much, hence it was too thin. Over the weekend, I made it three times. Here […]

April 15, 2008

Yamahomo vs. Laduree – The Battle Continues

by Moto Yamamoto

I learned my lesson. Mix the batter well till it falls off the spatula, and don’t take it out of the oven too soon. Other than the fact that I am super inpatient, all the necessary ingredients and mind set was there. I couldn’t let go of the defeat of my Sunday failure, so I […]

April 14, 2008

Yamahomo vs. Laduree – Macaron Battle Parts 1 and 2

by Moto Yamamoto

I don’t know why I do this. The harder the recipe is, the more excited I get. I don’t know how I decided to make macaroons, but somehow I did.. When everyone goes to Paris (I’ve never been there, yet), they go queue up at either Laduree or Pierre Herme (did you know Pierre used […]

April 9, 2008

Ippudo – How DARE YOU!!!

by Moto Yamamoto

Minca, Setagaya, Rai Rai Ken – there are suddenly many of Japanese ramen joints hopping up in the city. Ramen’s best aspects are:1. It’s easy2. It’s cheap3. It’s quick I’ve been to some of the famed ramen restaurants, and to this day, I haven’t been impressed by any of them at all. I’ve read quite […]

April 8, 2008

UM Redux: Shanghai Cafe (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

This post is dedicated to Tmonkey and Wong Kar-Wai. Went to see my acupuncturist the other day in Chinatown. Dr. Wu is a miracle maker, truly, and I send everyone to him for their ailments. Migraines, bad shoulders, allergies, bad knees, insomnia– whatever you’ve got, he’ll fix it, for real. While pinning needles into my […]

April 7, 2008

Blood Oranges Improve Quality of Life

by Kayoko Akabori

There was a point last week when I realized that I had been out EVERY SINGLE NIGHT for 10 days straight- mostly past midnight. This means I ate out, didn’t get enough sleep, was hungover or overdosed on coffee, which resulted in bitchy, near-nervous-breakdown behavior everyday. This sort of crazed single lifestyle (never quite “swinging” […]