When I woke up this morning, my eyeballs felt like desiccated husks swarming with fire ants. Compounding the issue was the fact that "morning", in this case, was 3:37 a.m. Following a series of travel-related delays, we didn't end up checking into our hotel until 9:00 p.m. local time. After grabbing a quick meal, showering,…
June 3, 2011: On crabs and masks! Chiado restaurant! Friendly comedians! And Transporter: The Series rolls toward production!
The other day, Akemi went to the St. Lawrence Market. There, she engaged one of the seafood purveyors in conversation. The conversation went something like this: "Do you have social crab?"asked Akemi. "What?"asked the woman at the counter. "Do you have social crab?" "Social crab?" "Yes." "No." "Oh." "Do you mean soft-shelled crab?" "Yes!" "No."…
March 12, 2011: That Toronto Check List!
Well, with a little less than a week to go before I move to Toronto, it's time to go over that Toronto checklist: FIND SOMEWHERE TO LIVE: Nope. I've already bemoaned Toronto's not-so-production-friendly accommodations situation. And, since that post, not much has changed. Hope those production offices are comfy. And pet friendly! FIND A CAR…
March 11, 2011: Vegas Day #4! Restaurant Guy Savoy!
"Got a couple of maintenance issues for you to deal with,"said our pilot, motioning back behind him. And, as the two workers disappeared into the cockpit, so did any hope that our return flight would be departing on time. Moments later, the steward got on the intercom to confirm as much. We would be delayed…
March 10, 2011: Vegas Day #3! E by Jose Andres!
I've eaten at several molecular gastronom-themed restaurants over the years (The Molecular Tapas Bar, Les Creations de Narisawa, Aronia de Takazawa) as well as restaurants that have offered occasional molecular-inspired menu items - but these have all been in Tokyo. Last night, I finally sampled one in North America when I dined at E by…
March 9, 2011: Vegas Day #2! Dinner at Joel Robuchon!
Martin Gero knows his food, knows what he likes, and, more importantly, knows what I like when it comes to food - so his dining recommendations are to be given serious consideration. When Martin found out I'd be visiting Vegas, he insisted I visit two restaurants - the scenes of some of his most spectacular…
March 8, 2011: Vegas Day #1
Wake up late, work out, deal with any outstanding matters, enjoy a leisurely lunch, catch a taxi to the airport and arrive well in advance of the scheduled boarding time, leave Vancouver at 3:00 p.m., arrive in Vegas at 5:30 p.m., check in, unwind, then head on over to Scarpetta for our 8:00 p.m. dinner…
December 28, 2010: Tokyo Trip Summary
I was archiving my Tokyo photos this morning when I came across a bunch of pics I'd failed to upload due to my then busy eating/drinking schedule. Here's what you almost missed out on... Some of the chocolate creations on display at The Imperial: Chocolate basset hound. Chocolate Violin Chopstick rest at Nodaiwa (unagi…
December 21, 2010 (again): Back home! Tokyo Travel Day #16!
We made the most of our final day in Tokyo, sleeping in late and lounging about the hotel until early afternoon before finally heading out. We headed over to Roppongi where we enjoyed a double lunch. Ramen - Thumbs up from both us. Not as great as Hokkaido Ramen Toro in Shinjuku, but still pretty…
December 21, 2010: Tokyo Travel Day #15! More Ginza sights! A double disastrous dinner! And Seven Eleven chocolate eclairs!
So after our rather disappointing visit to the Ueno Zoo, we returned to Ginza for a little stroll and what turned out to be not one but TWO disappointing dinners... Back at the hotel, we enjoy our pre-dinnner snacks - Rather than rely on the suggestions of the concierge, we headed out determined to find…
December 20, 2010: Tokyo Travel Day #14! Bangkok Kitchen! Our day at the Ueno Zoo!
With our 100 000 yen dinners behind us, Ivon and I decided to shift focus to more casual eats, simpler drinks, and putting a little something aside for retirement. And so, rather than have the concierge recommend something for us (the last "casual" lunch spot they suggested ended up costing us about $150 a head),…
December 18, 2010: Tokyo Travel Day #12! Muroi! Sort of Spanish! Desserts!
Whew! Two more nights like the last one and I should be right back on Vancouver time. So, late post today. Hell, late everything. Thanks to everyone who has offered up their thoughts, comments, and words of support re: SGU. If this truly is the end, here's hoping that you - the best fans in fandom -…
December 17, 2010: Tokyo Travel Day #11! Ishikawa! Kobe Beef Kawamura! Tokyo Signs! Oh, and Stargate!
Well, damn. Here I'd uploaded a blog entry last night, prepared to make some minor additions and post it this morning only to discover the breaking news of SGU's cancellation. The first thing to tip me off something was up? The 50+ comments awaiting moderation on yesterday's blog entry. My initial thought was "Wow! They really must've enjoyed…
December 16, 2010: Tokyo Travel Day #10! Hirosaku! Nodaiwa! Terrifying Tokyo Tower!
The other night, we continued our tour of varying Japanese cuisines by hitting Hirosaku in Shimbashi. It's a family-owned and operated restaurant focusing on traditional dishes and high quality ingredients. "Is this a typical Japanese meal?"Ivon asked at one point. "Yes,"my friend Jon replied - "for very wealthy Japanese families." "This is how they ate in…
December 15, 2010: Tokyo Travel Day #9! Jelly update! Kondo! Shibuya!
While here in Tokyo, I've been checking in with my dogsitter, Christine, who has been taking care of the pooches while I've been away. Today, I received the following update on the gang and a post-operative Jelly in particular: "We are doing great. Jelly is recovering very well, today she was very happy to go…