Showing posts with label Hollywood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hollywood. Show all posts

Saturday, October 14, 2023

Kuheiji Exclusive Tasting Night@UKA Japan House Hollywood ★★★

Nice Kaiseki Dinner with Kuheiji Sake Pairing Event. Premium & innovative sake with fruity aroma. Pure & refreshing. After having the greatest pleasure to meet Mr. Kuno Kuheiji & Matei Nicolae from Kuheiji at Ototo the night before, we tailgate into Night 2 of Kuheiji with Matei-san again. Glad that I went to both events, because the 2 consecutive Kuheiji events had a different focus. At UKA, Matei-san started the evening off with video and overview presentation on Kuheiji. 7 glasses of Kuheiji sake were presented in the sake pairing & for comparison. Matei-san is an amazing Kuheiji expert and answered all my questions regarding Kuheiji. Kaiseki dinner with Kuheiji sake pairing event $350 per person. 5pm seating. Validated parking at Hollywood & Highland structure $19.

Chef's Choice Sashimi
otoro, chutoro, akami, hirame (flounder)
Paired with HInoKISHI Yamadanishiki Vintage 2020

Tailgating into Kuheiji Night 2 with Matei Nicolae from Kuheiji again

Kuheiji Display

Freshly Sliced Katsubushi (Bonito Flakes)


Preparing Dashi

Dashi for the Five Senses
traditional broth of kombu kelp & smoked bonito flakes


Betsu Atsurae Yamadanishiki Vintage 2021

Betsu Atsurae Yamadanishiki Vintage 2021

Seasonal Appetizer
chef's daily creation of bite-sized starters, sesame tofu, sweetfish dengaku, chestnut
Paired with Betsu Atsurae Yamadanishiki Vintage 2021

Seasonal Appetizer
chef's daily creation of bite-sized starters, sesame tofu, sweetfish dengaku, chestnut
Paired with Betsu Atsurae Yamadanishiki Vintage 2021

Seasonal Appetizer
chef's daily creation of bite-sized starters, sesame tofu, sweetfish dengaku, chestnut
Paired with Betsu Atsurae Yamadanishiki Vintage 2021

Betsu Atsurae Yamadanishiki Vintage 2021

Fried Shrimp Dumpling in Fish Borth
Japanese sea bream & shrimp w/ matsutake mushroom, yuzu

Eau du Désir 2022

Eau du Désir Vintage 2022

Fried Shrimp Dumpling in Fish Borth
Japanese sea bream & shrimp w/ matsutake mushroom, yuzu
Paired with Eau du Désir Vintage 2022

Hirame (Flounder) Sashimi

Chef's Choice Sashimi
otoro, chutoro, akami, hirame (flounder)
Paired with HInoKISHI Yamadanishiki Vintage 2020

HInoKISHI Yamadanishiki Vintage 2020

Kyouden Tokuto Omachi Vintagem2021

Savory Egg Custard
steamed egg custard, shrimp & shimeji mushroom, truffle
Paired with Kyouden Tokuto Omachi Vintage 2021 & 2022 (comparison)

Kyouden Tokuto Omachi Vintage 2021 & 2022 (comparison)

Miso Marinated Sawara
miso marinated Japanese sawara w/ French inspired fennel cream sauce

Miso Marinated Sawara
miso marinated Japanese sawara w/ French inspired fennel cream sauce

Tako Yamadanishiki Vintage 2018 (decanted)

Tako Yamadanishiki Vintage 2018 (decanted)

Vintage Comparisons

Washu Beef Fillet Steak
with sweet potato & sautéed mushrooms
Paired with Tako Yamadanishiki Vintage 2018 & 2019 (comparison)

Tako Yamadanishiki Vintage 2018 & 2019 (comparison)

Traditional Koshihikari Rice Course (served with Miso Soup & Pickles)
delicately seasoned rice prepared in earthenware pot

Traditional Koshihikari Rice Course (served with Miso Soup & Pickles)
delicately seasoned rice prepared in earthenware pot,
served with miso soup and tsukemono (Japanese pickles)
and Kyoto-grown organic Hojicha Tea

Miso Soup

Dessert
cream brûlée with berry fruits

Dessert
cream brûlée with berry fruits

Chef Yoshitake Mitsue at UKA & Matei Nicolae from Kuheiji

UKA Team: Chef Shingo Kato, Manager Toshi-san, Chef Yoshitake Mitsue, & General Manager Anthony-san

Shota-san, the man behind the scenes from Fifth Taste

Japan House Daytime Scenery before dinner

Japan House Nighttime Scenery after dinner

UKA
6801 Hollywood Boulevard,
Japan House Los Angeles Level 5 (walk towards courtyard and pass Forever 21 for elevator)
Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.japanhousela.com/restaurant/uka/

Thursday, June 8, 2023

UKA@Japan House Hollywood ★★

UKA Opening Night. Creative Kaiseki with a Play of the 5 Senses, especially with the interactive Dashi opening course. At the chef's counter, we had the pleasure to see Chef Yoshi-san cutting and "fanning out" Ainame fish for the soup. My favorite dish was the Egg Custard. It's a new style - flat instead of tall with delicious choice of vegetables integrated. I wasn't sold for the Yellowtail. Wagyu Steak was interesting served with 2 kinds for comparison with the Miyazaki Wagyu Beef. We took leftover Koshihikari rice home as well as in onigiri form. Great team service. Kuheiji Junmai Daiginjo Eau Du Désir ($84) is one of my go-to sake. They also have Ohmine. Music of the 4 seasons in background. Kaiseki $300 per person. Sake pairing $120. We were gifted engraved wooden Masu sake drinking cups with pleasant Cypress aroma at the end of the meal. They also serve amazing premium tea. Validated parking at Hollywood & Highland structure $15. Looking forward to visit again in July.

Picture with Shota-san from Fifth Taste, Shingo-san, and Yoshi-san

Dashi for the 5 Senses
traditional broth of kombu kelp & smoked bonito flakes

Ainame for the Soup

Kuheiji Junmai Daiginjo Eau Du Désir $84

Shota-san, Sake Sommelier from Fifth Taste

Seasonal Appetizer
chef's daily creation of bite-sized starters featuring seafood, sesame tofu, paprika, beets, broccolini & sugar snap peas

Sansho Pepper Fish Broth
honegiri-cut filet of Ainame in dashi broth with seasonal vegetables and sansho pepper leaves

Chef's Choice Sashimi
tuna, kinmedai, horse mackerel

Akabu Junmai $80


Savory Egg Custard
steamed egg custard, topped with uni, shrimp, okra, and wasabi

Teriyaki Sautéed Hamachi (Japanese Yellowtail)
with French-inspired asparagus cream sauce

Wagyu Steak Duo
pairing of aged washugyu ribeye (Oregon, USA) and wagyu filet mignon (Miyazaki, Japan)
served with burdock cream sauce, yuzu salt, wasabi and greens

Kyoto-grown organic Hojicha Tea


Pickles and Miso Soup

Koshihikari Rice (served with Miso Soup & Pickles)
delicately seasoned rice prepared in earthenware pot,
served with miso soup and tsukemono (Japanese pickles)
and Kyoto-grown organic Hojicha Tea

Miso Soup

Koshihikari Rice


Cheers with Yoshi-san & Shota-san with Akabu

Dessert
hojicha tea cheesecake, served with fruits

Signing with Yoshi-san

Signing with Shingo-san


Wooden Masu Engraved with Uka's Name
(received on Grand Opening Night)

Uka
6801 Hollywood Boulevard,
Japan House Los Angeles Level 5 (walk towards courtyard and pass Forever 21 for elevator)
Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.japanhousela.com/restaurant/uka/