A French Kiss

So, while The Cat was off shmoozing with the high and mighty (see previous post). I was left to fend for myself. I would have normally made something at home but I was at Willy-Sonomas until early evening. Plus, I had to wait for The Cat to carpool home.

There was a little Japanese restaurant nearby that specializes in shabu shabu, but there was one thing on their menu that I was particularly interested in, tongue curry. The Cat did not seem too interested in checking the place out. When opportunity knocks …

Sign

The place is kinda fancy-ish. Definitely not cheap eats. But the curry seemed reasonable, and since I was here for that, I ventured in.

Place is rather tiny. I think no more than ten tables and a short sushi bar. I was seated at the sushi bar with their full understanding I did not intend to eat sushi.

My order.

Beef Tongue Curry

Rice

Curry was pretty awesome. Socks off awesome.  Just enough heat with a touch of sweetness (in a Japanese way), and okra, one of my favorite vegetables.

The meal, which by the restaurant’s standards was on the sparse side was 10 bucks. Not bad, not cheap eats, but not bad. On the menu is a miso braised beef tendon that The Cat might be interested in. I wouldn’t mind another dish of that tongue curry.

A picture’s worth a thousand words.

Although the dishes The Cat ate looked and sounded better, I think mine tasted better.

Oh, why did I name this post a French kiss? Because tongue was involved. Eww! Hee hee! Sorry.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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Food Porn

To me anyway.

One of The Cat’s consultants over from Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Loves Japanese food, sushi and sashimi specifically. Ended up at Hakone, of course. Waxed poetic about the place on several occasions. Won’t bore you with the details (or narration). At least most of it.

Three Ikura, Two Uni, and a Negitoro

Spicy Tuna Handroll, Negitoro with Ikura, Tobiko, Ikura, and Uni

Snapper Head

There were two fish on the buffet line. Got one for The Cat, and the consultant, L, got the other one. Wonder what the other patrons thought, one table taking two fish heads.

Steak and Braised Pork Belly, with Asparagus

Oden

Shave Ice Dessert

Scoop View

From the bottom, diced fruit, red beans, ice cream, shave ice, strawberry and lychee syrup, and condensed milk. More than enough for three people (there was a little shave ice left).

The Cat’s guest , as well as The Cat and The Mouse thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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Rice Balls

I’ve been curious about this place for a while: http://www.yelp.com/biz/iyasume-honolulu#query:inasuya%20musubi. But it’s in Waikiki (which we avoid like the plague).

Just so happens, The Cat’s elementary school bestie (M) is staying at the hotel that the business is located at. The only experience she’s had with musubi (rice balls) are pre-made and cold (bleah).

The plan today was for them to explore a botanical garden. Thinking they may not have time for a proper lunch, M went and bought a few to take along.

Rice Balls

She bought three of each Japanese pickles, shave bonito, and seasoned seaweed. These were warm when she bought them and made to order.

These are a bit rustic. They don’t look like any of the pictures posted on Yelp. Dunno if it’s the same business, the last comment on Yelp was September 2012.

I tried the seasoned seaweed and shaved bonito. Sorry no pictures, was eating on the run. Taste and texture-wise, they’re pretty good. Fresh and salted just right. Thanks M.

Got home a little late today. Off to bed. More tomorrow. Zzzzzzzz.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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More Food!

The Cat’s bestie is still visiting. The good news is we get to eat out. The bad news, all this food affects my waistline. Will have to severely diet next week.

This time, one of our favorite places.

Noren

Protein!

Wasabi!

Sashimi, baked salmon, grilled ribeye, and braised pork belly. Happy, happy.

Oden with Hot Mustard

Braised Eggplant with Grated Turnip

Steamed Egg

Japanese Curry Rice

Tobiko (Flying Fish Roe) Sushi

Dessert and Fruit

Black Sesame Ice Cream

Of course, whenever possible at Japanese restaurants, the perfect last bite is this.

Tamago Sushi

Mostly comfort food with a little indulgence. Still, calories are calories. I’ll worry about that next week.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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Swoon

Sam, over at Bonding Tool, posted this, I saw the picture of Dong Po Rou and I almost fainted. Had to satisfy my jonesing for pork belly, Dong Po Rou specifically. Except I don’t know if there are any restaurants that serve Dong Po Rou. Have to make do with what we got.

Lunch from Menchanko Tei (903 Keeaumoku Street, Honolulu, Hawaii). Two lunch special options, mini braised pork (kakuni) over rice with regular sized bowl of ramen or the opposite (regular rice bowl and mini ramen), went with the regular braised pork over rice bowl and mini ramen (was there any doubt?).

Kakuni Rice Bowl and Mini Ramen

Heaven on Earth

Mini Ramen Bowl

The soup of the mini ramen was pork bone based, big yum. Ramen came with a thick slice of roast pork, can it get any better?

Socks came off, highly recommended. Happy Mouse. My only complaint is that the pieces of pork were not tied into little parcels (I’m kidding).

So, if you are so inclined to send The Mouse something for Christmas, birthday, or just because, no need for fancy or expensive gifts, just braise cubes of pork belly and tie them into parcels. Hee hee.

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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