Kobe Beef Dining Was a Feast For the Senses
Kobe beef dining is not the tepanyaki show like we have in the US. The preparation is methodical and there is no showing off with meat cleavers and showmanship joking. After we were seated at the counter in front of the big stainless cook top, the chef began preparing the meal. Mouriya Honten restaurant serves...
Siphon Coffee Japanese Style
On a windy day in Kobe, Japan, I went into Evian Coffee Shop to find out how coffee brewed the siphon way is prepared and tasted. I sat at the counter and watched this precise vacuum coffee method which was quiet with no annoying bells and whistles going off. The coffee was hot and strong...
Hiroshima Memorial Site
Hiroshima, Japan and the somber afternoon in the Peace Memorial Park and viewing the Atomic Bomb Dome. The park is designed for reflection as a memorial to the many who lost their lives.
Elegant Dining In The Park Hyatt Tokyo
Our hotel had an Asian motif restaurant offering dinner with a sophisticated decor and soft lighting. Just peering inside drew us in. Kozue restaurant inside the The Park Hyatt Tokyo, offered a sleek ambiance for fine dining. Female servers wore full length kimonos and arranged multiple table settings in perfect order. Just to watch our...
A Side Street in Tokyo Where the Locals Shop and Eat
We’ve been watching the Japanese series “Midnight Diner” on Netflix and it’s entertaining and addicting to watch. The show is centered in an Izakaya, a small casual eatery with colorful characters. I ventured onto Fudo-dori street with small restaurants and stores which very much look like the show’s setting. I met Kawakamy who has cooked...
Our Trip To Asia Began In Style
After months of planning, we were on our way to Tokyo on Japan Airlines for a two week cruise to visit Japan, China and Hong Kong. It’s true about Asian Airlines giving the best service. The crew on this flight were very welcoming and efficient with boarding passengers quickly. Once I stepped onto the plane,...
You’re Never Too Old For San Francisco
Mom proved at 91 years old, she’s not too old to fly to San Francisco, especially when it was to see her grandkids! Our adventure began with buying mom’s favorite coffee at Graffeo Coffee Roasters on Columbus Avenue. The Italian company began in 1934 and Luciano keeps the family business brewing bean by bean. Don’t...
Bavaria in the State of Washington
2 hours north of Seattle, Washington is the German Bavarian town of Leavenworth. I felt like I was back in Southern Germany with the ornate details on the buildings and interior German designs. Colorful paintings just like in Bavaria are ever present on the chalet buildings and blooming flower boxes reminded me of the alps. ...
Female Chefs Expertly Work Their Craft
I don’t know what I was impressed with more, eating at Bankers Hill Bar and Restaurant or meeting co-owner Terryl Garve. Terryl started Cafe 222 downtown in 1992 and you might remember the billboards with her wearing a pumpkin waffle as a hat. She’s been a trend setter with food and restaurants even when San Diego...
Lions, Tigers and Ranch Dressing
Near Alpine off hwy 79 is Lions Tigers and Bears sanctuary for exotic animals and big cats. My grand niece (she wants to be a vet) and I spent the morning on a walking tour seeing Meatball the rescued bear, Cherry Bomb the grizzly and Maverick the tiger. There are lots of rescued animals on...
Pancakes and Donuts Bring Fond Memories
Many years ago, my good friend Nancy Ryan (Nancy Knox back then) introduced me to the Swedish pancakes with lingonberry butter, German pancakes and cheese blintzes at The Pancake House in El Cajon. Over the years, we’d meet for breakfast to eat the pancakes and catch up with each other lives. We even brought our...
Learning how to Pack Smarter From an Expert
I am a terrible packer and when I found out about the Pack Like A Pro seminar at Index Urban in Hillcrest, I signed up. You might remember this luggage store as John’s 5th Ave, a locally owned and family run store for 60 years. The seminar was taught by Briggs and Riley luggage company...
