Author Archives: Kayoko Akabori


April 15, 2008

Tea Time at Veniero (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

Veniero is an East Village institution- una pasticceria (pastry shop) that makes the best cheesecake in the city. I say this with certainty. I’m reading that it’s been in the same building since 1894, owned and operated by the Veniero family the entire time!!! Now that is incredible. There’s even a sign on the corner […]

by Kayoko Akabori

April 14, 2008

Playing Hooky, Balthazar for Lunch (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

I took a day off last week to hang out with a friend who was visiting from Tokyo. There’s something really special about wandering around the city like a tourist when you’re supposed to be working- you see NY in such a different light (it’s called daylight-on-a-weekday light). We were on our way to Chinatown […]

April 10, 2008

umamichatter: Eating Whale Somewhere in LA

by Kayoko Akabori

My dear childhood friend M (who would like to remain nameless) lives in LA where she is frolicking with cute boys and eating, get this, WHALE. Listen in on this top secret conversation (where she reveals nothing- I tried SO HARD to get stuff out of her but her lips were totes sealed!!). 11:40 PM […]

April 9, 2008

Biggie Ate Sardines Too

by Kayoko Akabori

Born sinner, the opposite of a winnerRemember when I used to eat sardines for dinner – Juicy, Notorious B.I.G. Canned fish is really bizarre concept and I understand how people are weirded out by it. But seriously, I have an obsession with it. It tastes good, it’s good FOR you, and it’s so cheap. Vinka, […]

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” […]

April 3, 2008

umamichatter: Rose Water Restaurant (NYC)

by Kayoko Akabori

Larry works in publishing, and has lived in Park Slope in Brooklyn for the last few years. Had I known him back when I lived in the Slop (as I call it), I may have not moved out. Ok no, I still would have. You see, the Slop, at least 7th Ave, is now barfbag […]

March 31, 2008

I Baked Bread, So Don’t Break Up!

by Kayoko Akabori

When the routine bites hard/ And ambitions are low And the resentment rides high/ But emotions won’t growAnd we’re changing our ways/ Taking different roadsThen love, love will tear us apart again– Joy Division Recently, a few of my closest friends have been going through devastating breakups- couples who have been together for 3 years, […]

March 28, 2008

Fridgin’ Out: The Work Fridge

by Kayoko Akabori

This post is dedicated to MelRoach. We miss you! The Work Fridge tends to be a little scary, no matter where you work. You may have the most respectable colleagues, toiling away in spotless, clutter-free work spaces, but when you look inside the Work Fridge, all hell breaks loose. If you work in an office, […]