Saturday, November 11, 2023

The Dining Project Pop-Up@Long Beach ★★★

Amazing 6-Course Tasting Dinner Pop-Up. Great fine dining quality and price point. The A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef grilled with Binchotan coal from Japan was amazing. (They purchased for $1,700) Generous portions. Even got to take a loaf of Focaccia bread home. Chef James Caveness is nice and professional along with aspiring Chef Andrew. James started his culinary venture since he was 15. He relates dishes with his personal story. Great service from our server, Shannon. It was a nice surprise to find out that 4 glasses of wine pairing (with refills) were already included.  The Dining Project features aspiring chefs. Knew about this project from Instagram. Intimate 4-6 seats at counter. $145 per person. Limited street parking.







Pinot Gris Pairing

Cruciferous Vegetables
ginger, toasted oak jelly, salsa matcha

Cruciferous Vegetables with Pinot Gris Pairing

Focaccia
autumn squash, balsamic vinegar, pumpkin oil

Chardonnay Pairing

Pork Gyoza
XO, tonkotsu, cilantro & chives


End pieces of Free Range Chicken (Wellington)


Cabernet Sauvignon Pairing

Free Range Chicken (Wellington), Smoked Chicken Tortellini
gruyere, potato, brown butter veloute

Syrah Pairing

A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef from Japan Grilled w/ Binchotan

Venison
salsify, chanterelle, maitake, black garlic jus

A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef from Japan Grilled w/ Binchotan

Coffee

Lemon & Ginger Tea

Parsnip

Parsnip Tres Leches
apple, lemon, thyme, cinnamon

Mango Cotton Candy w/ Spices

The Dining Project Pop-Up
Partake Collective
456 Elm Ave
Long Beach, CA  90802
www.tdpsocal.com

Friday, November 10, 2023

Asuka@Westwood ★★★

Omakase under $100. In Westwood since 1974 but my first visit. Pre-pandemic pricing. Very friendly environment. Itamae Head Chef Ken Yamamoto was from The Hump at Santa Monica Airport (along with Shunji-san now at Shunji, and Yama-san now at Yamakase). Owner Vincent-san was totally chill. Kaiseki Course $110. Asuka Special Omakase Sushi Course $85. Hot tea $4. Metered parking on street (free after 8pm and on Sundays). Reservation via OpenTable.

Kaiseki Course ($110): Appetizer: Oyster, Seared Scallop, & Shrimp w/ Caviar

Asuka Sushi Omakase ($85): Edamame Tofu

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper)

Kaiseki Course: Chef's Choice Sashimi: Otoro (Fatty Tuna), Akami (Tuna Lean Part), Albacore

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Hotate (Scallop)

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Asuka Sushi Omakase: Toro

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Tai (Snapper)

Kaiseki Course: Mushimono: Crab Chawanmushi

Asuka Sushi Omakase: King Salmon

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Kanpachi (Amber Jack)

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Seared Otoro

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Unagi from Japan (never frozen)

Kaiseki Course: Yakimono: Grilled Gindara (Black Cod) with white & red miso sauce

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Uni & Ikura

Kaiseki Course: 5pcs Chef's Choice Sushi: Toro, Tai (Snapper), Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper), Seared Otoro, Unagi from Japan (never frozen)

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Toro Takuan Hand Roll w/ Shiso Leaf

Asuka Sushi Omakase: Miso Soup

Kaiseki Course: Miso Soup w/ Clams

Seared Toro Hand Roll w/ Shiso Leaf $16 (add-on)

Kaiseki Course: Toro Takuan Hand Roll w/ Shiso Leaf

Yuzu Sorbet $6 (add-on)

Kaiseki Course: Green Tea Tiramisu

Kaiseki Course: Green Tea Tiramisu


Left: Head Chef Ken Yamamoto, Right: Owner Vincent-san

Asuka
1553 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(424) 832-7284

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Jizake 18th Anniversary x Hanaka@Laguna Niguel ★★★

Great Premium Sake Tasting Event in OC. Hanaka is the first and only sake bar in OC. My favorite were all of the Fifth Taste sake featured individually below. My first time trying the nice Abe Junmai Daiginjo Sake. Sake and Japanese food were fantastic pairing. Food was buffet style including Sunomono Cucumber Salad, fried dumplings, shrimp tempura, robata, sashimi, sushi, & Pocky snacks. Acidity in Sunomono Salad pairs with sake especially well. $40 per person via Resy.

Fifth Taste Sake



Asahi Beer

Heiwa KID Hiyaoroshi Junmai Ginjo

Heiwa KID Hiyaoroshi Junmai Ginjo with Sunomono Cucumber Salad

Heiwa KID Hiyaoroshi Junmai Ginjo with Sashimi

Kamoshibito Kuheiji Eau Du Désir Junmai Daiginjo with Sushi

Kamoshibito Kuheiji Eau Du Désir Junmai Daiginjo with Robata

Kaze no Mori Alpha 3 Junmai Daiginjo

Abe Junmai Daiginjo with Sunomono Cucumber Salad

Akabu Junmai Ginjo

Akabu Junmai Ginjo with Sunomono Cucumber Salad

Fried Dumplings Party Tray Buffet Style


Fried Dumplings & Sunomono Cucumber Salad

Shrimp Tempura

Sashimi

Crab Roll Sushi

Sake Tasting Presented by Hanaka

Shota-san from Fifth Taste

Akabu Junmai Ginjo

Jizake Sushi
30001 Crown Valley Pkwy Ste C
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 922-0203
jizakeoc.com

Hanaka (Sake Bar)
30012 Crown Valley Pkwy Ste C
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 359-3894
hanaka.jimdosite.com