No. No! Day #7?!!! It’s almost over! In a matter of days, I’ll be back in Vancouver, scrambling to plan and pack and make my way to Toronto for a seven month stay – one month of advance prep in which we’ll be filling out the director’s schedule, approving designs, hiring DOP’s and editors, start the ball rolling on casting (October), a couple of months of construction on our standing sets (late October through December), prep on our opening two-parter (December), then production itself (early January to May), and the post wrap-up (June-ish?). I suspect time will fly. Paul sent me his first draft of episode #5 the other day, and it’s fabulous. I suggested a few changes (minor) and now look forward to his draft of episode #6 (and Rob and Trevor’s drafts of episodes #7 and #8 respectively). My draft of episode #9, meanwhile, is already done and waiting to follow suit.
Last night, Akemi and I were greatly looking forward to dinner at Esquisse, one of our very favorite restaurants – and, as always, our old friend Chef Beccat mightily impressed. The restaurant holds special significance for us – or, more to the point, its fantastic chef, Lionel Beccat because he was overseeing the kitchen at Michel Troisgros on Akemi and my very first date…five years ago!
Akemi then.
And Akemi now (or, more specifically, last night).
Some of the highlights of our fabulous meal…
Bottled tea: jasmine and green tea.
The ever affable Chef Lionel Beccat.
Plump, creamy oyster with lemon gelee and fermented sake foam.
Cured toro (tuna belly) with tomato gelee.
Grilled grouper with lily root puree.
Spiced lamb with carrot puree.
Sweet corn polenta with sweet corn soup an orange sorbet.
The team: Takahashi-san, Beccat-san, and Ogasawara-san (our “sommelier”, not “the alcoholic” as Akemi mistakenly assumed his title to be).
A tremendous meal. Highly recommended. If you’re uncertain about splurging on dinner, opt for lunch. As Akemi says, it offers “good cost performance.”
This morning, we got up early and hit Tsukiji…
Akemi picks up some bonito.
Zoidberg has fallen on hard times since the cancellation of Futurama.
Wagyu!
For the bear who has everything…
Godzilla vs. Girlfriendzilla!
Tokyo is full of these little shops offering various foodstuffs from dedicated regions of the country.
Akemi and her buddy take break.
Breakingu Bad-o.
And two more terrific meals: sushi at Ichiyanagi and kaiseiki at Uchiyama. Both great places with wonderful, super-friendly customer service.
I leave you with Ginza at night…
Dinner looks amazing. Such a sad thing your trip is coming to an end. But how exciting when you get to Toronto! 😀
Safe trip home.
Okay, how does Akemi keep getting younger? She looks fantastic, as always!
Great pics and I would love to eat at Esquisse some day.
Akemi continues to look younger after 5 years! Girl’s a keeper for sure! 🙂
Wow…Seriously…like maggiemayday asked…Enquiring minds want to know.
Loving all of your and Akemi’s escapades. Thanks for sharing.
I do not like it when the trip is over and back to work. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. A lot packed in to a short time, great job.
All the images you’ve been posting have been fabulous! I think you and Akemi really needed this vacation and time to simply enjoy some special times in a special place.
Question for you, will Rob Cooper continue to write for your new show or is he just helping to get things going?
Anticipation is building to see this new space-based TV show! Yeah!
2cats
Thank you both for a great time!
Lovely pictures of Akemi. I have a preference but it is not for me to make that choice. I am enjoying the Tokyo pics. I have a time off in Oct. and while passing Tokyo many times I have not spent time in town. I find your pictures helpful in planning a short time there on my way to Bangkok. I am curious as to the expense of some of your food choices. I liked Akemi’s comment of pice performance. Your video of the basement food mall reminds me Bangkok Paragon.
Normally, talking about your upcoming activities in Toronto would be exciting. But I found your first paragraph a total bummer. No more work chat until you are at least on the plane please. I want to immerse myself into your vacation for as long as possible. Akemi, beautiful then, and beautiful now.
No. No! Day #7?!!! It’s almost over!
it seems like you just got there.
The restaurant holds special significance for us – or, more to the point, its fantastic chef, Lionel Beccat because he was overseeing the kitchen at Michel Troisgros on Akemi and my very first date…five years ago!
wow! talk about time flying by.
that first picture of her reminds me: when you take pictures of people for this blog, do you explain that you have a blog talking about your day, what you ate, etc. & ask to take their picture? or do you just ask to take their picture without the blog explination?
Ginza looks like a very beautiful place. And I really like Akemi’s hair now. Can’t believe it was 5 years ago though.