Saturday, December 23, 2023

Victoria & Albert's@Disney World ★★★

Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Disney. Excellent tasting menu. Located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. Amazing Zero Proof (non-alcoholic beverage) pairing by the talented & friendly Chef Gabriella from Norway. She knew that we were coming, so she personally came to our table to introduce one of her creations to us. Such a lovely treat. Her world traveling adventures (as seen on her IG stories) inspired her to create an international palette. Love the story behind her creations like the Cherry Cola. She grew up in the mountains. Her parents were reindeer farmers, and she would always have Cola. Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer. Our server Christopher was nice. $375 (Chef's Dégustation Menu with Spanish Carabinero Prawn & A5 Miyazaki Wagyu)/$295 Dining Room Menu per person. White Truffles supplement $85. Zero Proof pairing $145.


Also went:
November 6, 2016
December 28, 2022

New Zealand Langoustine, "Tom Kha Gai", Shiso

Japanese Wagyu, Capers, Calabrian Chili

Welcome Drink: Cranberry Ginger Spice

Parsnip Crémeux, Pepper Sable, Cassis

Pear Blossom $25.50
8 weeks barrel matured borolo chinato, no. ten & campari

Zero Proof Pairing: The Chef's Garden w/ Hidden Mickey Ice Cube (elderflower, star anise)

Royal Belgian Caviar, Parsley Root, Bone Marrow


Zero Proof Pairing: Kyoto
sencha, strawberry juice, shiso leaf


Norwegian King Crab (2 ways – hot & cold), Kohlrabi, Lemon Verbena

Norwegian King Crab (2 ways – hot & cold), Kohlrabi, Lemon Verbena

Sunflower
pineapple, papaya, lime, sunflower seeds

Spanish Carabinero, Saffron, Sweet Plantain


Italian White Truffles Supplement, Alba $85 (3 grams)

Zero Proof Pairing: Cherry Cola

Chestnut, Black Truffle, Parmigiano Reggiano

Zero Proof Pairing: Bjørnebær (Norwegian for Blackberry)
blackberry, 2 black teas w/ tannin, vanilla bean, & black peppercorn

St. Canut Cochon, Red Beet, Citrus

Secret Zero Proof Menu from Chef Gabriella: Apple Sorbet w/ Wasabi

Zero Proof Pairing: 1711 ("Old Fashion")

Rocky Mountain Lamb, Sicilian Pistachio, Castelvetrano Olives

Live Harpist w/ Christmas Songs

Calamansi Tonic
key lime juice, cold infusion of raspberries & strawberries

Miyazaki A5 Wagyu

Nigata Koshiibuki Rice, Furikake

"Sherry"

Preparation of Cheese

Nyangbo Chocolate, Passion Fruit, Mascarpone

Apple Tarte Tatin


Raspberry Bakewell
Pomegranate Pâte de Fruit
Balsamic Fig Ganache
Spiced Carrot Marshmallow


Christmas Special – Cast Member's Favorite Grandma Recipes

Himalayan Tea

Chef Gabriella – The Mastermind "Scientist" behind the Zero Proof Pairing

Our Server Christopher

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort Spa
4401 Floridian Way
Orlando, FL 32830
(407) 939-3862
www.victoria-alberts.com

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Sushi Yamamoto@Beverly Hills ★★★

Favorite Sushi Restaurant. Yusuke-san seeks perfection and constantly makes updates on his menu seasonally. Incredible service and personal attention to detail from Yusuke-san. Sekogani (Female Snow Crab w/ Eggs) from Hyogo in season, and it was amazing. The Taka Tuna they get is exclusive for them from Japan. Had the honor to try Benny Blanco's Special Shrimp from Spain. Finally get to try the new limited edition Akabu Kohaku from Fifth Taste. Omakase $390. Wine & Sake Pairing $235. Corkage fee $150. Hot green tea $9. Bottled water $9 (filtered tap water not available). Reservations via Tock. Valet parking, $10 flat rate self-parking after 6pm, or park at Beverly Canon Gardens Parking (240 N. Beverly Dr) for $5 flat rate after 6pm with 1.5 blocks walk. [developing story]

Hokkigai (Surf Clam)
grilled with binchotan



Kohaku $100


Kichiji (Rockfish)

Kinmedai (Golden Eye Snapper) from Chiba, Japan
yuzu, scallions, kosho pepper

Akami, Chutoro, Otoro

Chutoro

Otoro

Akami Hand Roll

Benny Blanco's Carabineros Shrimp from Spain

Benny Blanco's Carabineros Shrimp from Spain

Saba (Mackerel)

Hokkigai (Surf Clam)

Hokkigai (Surf Clam)
grilled with binchotan

Kaki (Oyster)
scallion sesame oil

Sekogani (Female Snow Crab) from Hyogo




Sekogani (Female Snow Crab) from Hyogo

Sekogani (Female Snow Crab) from Hyogo

Bafun Uni (Sea Urchin) from Hokkaido

Bafun Uni (Sea Urchin) from Hokkaido


Astrea Caviar Toro

Toro End Piece

Kazu-san's Fresh Handmade Soba

Kazu-san's Fresh Handmade Soba with Yusuke-san's Shrimp Tempura


Toothpicks

Unagi (Fresh Water Eel)

Tamago (Sweet Egg Omelette)

Bafun Uni (Sea Urchin) from Hokkaido (add-on) $42

Satsuma Tangerine Ice Cream

Complimentary Hot Tea

Sushi Yamamoto
218 N. Rodeo Dr (former Urasawa place)
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
sushiyamamoto-beverlyhills.com/

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Cheng Can Cook: Baked Japanese Eggplant Recipe ★★★

Easy Eggplant Fix without Miso. I had to cook Eggplant tonight, but I realized that I ran out of Miso, so I came up the recipe below tonight. It ended up tasting like Miso.

Ingredients:
3-4 Eggplants
Bonito Flakes or Green Onions for Garnish (optional)

Sauce: (A bit of everything, more on the Cooking Sake & Mirin. Mix enough to lightly coat Eggplants)
Japanese Cooking Sake
Mirin
Japanese Sesame Sauce (can be optional)
Sesame Oil
Japanese Oyster Soy Sauce (or regular Soy Sauce)
Grated Ginger (optional) (Didn't use because I didn't have any Ginger on hand)
Cooking Oil

1. Preheat Oven to 475 degrees. Slice Eggplant into bite-size pieces.
2. Mix the sauce. Coat Eggplant with sauce.
3. Bake for about 45 minutes (depending on your oven) until Eggplant is soft well coated.
4. Garnish with Bonito Flakes or Green Onions (optional). Good with rice.

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Katsu Sando@San Gabriel ★★★

Katsu Sandwich by Daniel Son. (Sushi Sonagi) Snow Crab Korokke Roll with 3 kinds of Tobiko was amazing. Pork Katsu was thick, tender, and juicy. Crispy on the outside. Great with curry. Corn Potage (Japanese Corn Soup) was great. They have shaved ice with Kuramoto Ice from Japan seasonally. Would love to try next time when available. Cute mini-mart corner. Bottled Green Tea $3.95. Free limited parking in lot.

Snow Crab Korokke Roll $19.95

Katsu Curry Plate $15.95


Curry for Katsu

Corn Potage (Japanese Corn Soup) $4.95



Katsu Sando
710 W Las Tunas Dr Unit 6
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 545-2266
eatkatsusando.com

Saturday, December 16, 2023

sushi ii@Newport Beach ★★★

Great Quality Omakase Sushi in Orange County. Felt like Ginza, Tokyo. Middle Tier Oribe Omakase Course $180 per person. Add-ons available. I added Aji ($10) & Ikura ($8). Love the Aji. Would like to try their Kaiseki Course next time. Complimentary Green Tea. Complimentary parking in lot.


sushi ii
100 West Coast Hwy Ste 202
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 287-6268
sushi-ii.com