2-20-2011

Another month, another model lesson with friends. This time we made lava cakes, although they certainly weren't made like any lava cakes I've ever made. Interestingly, I'm not overly fond of these because they're made with bittersweet chocolate. Still, they're a simple recipe that I'm sure people will appreciate when brought to gatherings.

2-5-2011

Decided to try something different today; instead of always making normal cakes, why not make individual cookie cakes for everyone?  Sure, the ones for the guests were just decorated cookies, but the cookie cake was a hit with the birthday boy, and he seemed to enjoy blowing out the candles too.

12-25-2010

While I've shown it before, Christmas cake is something I couldn't skip taking a photo of on Christmas.  Plus, it's a lot more photogenic than the McDonald's chicken we had...

This came together in about 20 minutes, including whipping the cream (though I had help with that while I washed and cut the strawberries.

The powdered sugar is the most snow I will see this year.   (-_-);

9-17-2010

This weekend we visited a friend's hostel up in Nikko.  He has a garden where he grows a good amount of the produce he serves up.

8-17-2010

Climbed Mount Fuji overnight and saw the sunrise from the summit.  It was nice but I wouldn't do that again if I could avoid it; have you ever tried to climb a mountain at night?

8-15-2010

We made rock cornish hens for dinner today; they were excellent.  If you've never tried putting olive oil (or butter), garlic and rosemary underneath the top skin of a hen you're really missing out.  Put a bit of white wine in the pan with a diced potato or two before tossing it in the oven and you won't be disappointed, but be sure to baste the meat if you don't have a lid for your roasting pan and if you do have a lid be sure to take it off for the last bit so the skin browns a little.

8-11-2010

Food was of course a huge part of experiencing Hong Kong.  This is one of the side streets at Tsim Sha Tsui station, also known as TST.  Dai Pai Dong (open-air food stalls) are a popular place for locals to gather after work.

7-31-2010

An adult beverage, enjoyed in Ikebukuro.  It's called El Cielo and is pineapple juice, fresh kiwi, blue curacao and coconut rum garnished with a lemon wedge.

7-28-2010

This week the parent company of my work organized a Kids' English Camp out in Chiba and I was chosen as one of the counselors.  One of the activities was to make Native American headdresses out of paper (the theme this year was Native American). As much as I'd like to have posted one of my many pictures of the adorable kids wearing their crafts, it's not legal to post photos of children without their parents' consent so I'll stick to the other counselors.

The camp was way out in deep Chiba prefecture, with the nearest station, Kimitsu, being a 40-minute drive away.

7-23-2010

Went to a place called Kani Doraku (カに道楽 - "Crab How You Like It") with Moo Cow.  It wasn't my first time but I love the variety of crab dishes you can get.  It's an Osaka-based chain and the original is in the Dotonbori, which you can see from the last time I was in Osaka.  We had a nice multi-course meal and everything except dessert had crab in it.  This was the sashimi course.

7-19-2010

Today was Marine Day (海の日) so everyone went to the beach.  I really wanted to try the balloon thing--I hear it's called orbing--but didn't want to pay the 800 yen to get stuffed into a sticky ball.  But it's like a giant hamster ball and I love the webcomic xkcd so I thought I'd post a tribute.  Thankfully no naked children ran into this photo.

Just a typical day at the beach.

7-17-2010

Fairly typical bar food in Japan is a lot better than the usual bar food in the West.  Whether it be because it's generally healthier, more fresh items or just different, for whatever reason it's easier to eat and be happy about.

There's also something fun about eating squid tentacles with a glass of plum wine.

7-16-2010

Kaiten sushi (回転寿司, also rotating sushi or conveyor belt sushi) is quite popular in metropolitan areas.  It's fast, inexpensive and low-fuss.  Sometimes the good places get crowded and you have to wait a bit to get in, but it's a good way to have a decent meal for relatively cheap.  You just have to be careful that you choose a good place.  The actual prices and quality of course varies from shop to shop.  This is my favorite place in Tokyo.  Incidentally, it's a 20-minute walk from my apartment.

7-15-2010

Bars are a significant part of working life in Japan.  And social life.  Perhaps life in general.  And a lot of the larger chains have specials.  If they have these overhead dispensers where the customers can see them the bottles all change to whatever the featured liquor is...and it gets quite commercial and boring.

7-11-2010

This weekend I went to Aoyama Red Shoes to see a friend's band perform.  Since I've already posted a shot of The Blue Donuts I thought I'd try something that makes them look a little more epic (which they are).  This dry-brush filter makes them look like something I'd buy on a poster, and I love that the mirror caused a lens flare.  And if you like jazzy music with a Latin twist you should check out their page (official site has concert schedule).

6-25-2010

A closet of hot yakiniku grill pots.  My camera picks up grill flames as pink (look right).  This "closet" is in a restaurant.

6-19-2010

Moo Cow and I have been trying for weeks to go to this place called Shanghai Chicken but were constantly foiled by various things (including the restaurant being closed at weird times...).  For our final attempt to get there we successfully got seats at the counter (not even a table, boo!) but it was worth it.  Their "gyoza" were excellent, although not the typical crescent shape...so perhaps I should call them jiaozi after the Chinese name.  Anyway, it was worth all the hassle of going, and I think we're going to attempt to go a few more times.   :o)

6-16-2010

On my way home I saw a pretty good musician at the station and took his photo.  But then when I asked his permission to post it he said no...so here I'm posting something from the files.  A friend's band called The Blue Donuts that I went to see at Club Que in Shimokitazawa.  Pretty darn good, too.

6-5-2010

Went to a birthday party today.  As usual had my homemade cake in tow (white one w/ strawberry in the center) but then found out there were two small ice cream cakes. WHO HAS THREE CAKES?! Apparently *E* does.

5-23-2010

The only Israeli restaurant in Japan.  Looks delicious.