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Story of Shotgun Trip to Seoul & Tokyo: over Via Tribunali in Georgetown

March 23, 2015by have you eaten?2 Comments

March 12 Thursday left Seattle

March 13 Friday arrived Gimpo Airport, Seoul, South Korea

March 14 Saturday flew from Seoul to Haneda,Tokyo

attended concert of this Jin YiHan dude in the afternoon in Shibuya, Tokyo

flew back to Seoul from Tokyo in the evening

March 15 Sunday Facial, city tour, massage, body scrub, shopping in Seoul

March 16 Monday flew back to Seattle from Seoul

Who does this?

She and I have been friends since May 2000. She is unique and I am quirky so we make sense together. She is the one person whom I don’t feel uncomfortable seeing after not seeing each other for a long time and we can go back to where we left off. We got together last Friday and we did not have any awkward moments whatsoever and we started our non-stop 3-hour conversation as soon as we met in Georgetown.

We went to Pizzeria in Georgetown in Seattle called Via Tribunali. They have 20 descent kinds of pizza and some pasta dishes. We ordered one pizza with prosciutto and mushroom and linguine vongole. To be honest with you, I don’t even remember how they tasted. It must not have been bad because I didn’t notice. I was too busy catching up with her whirl wind, insane travel story and it was way more interesting than the food we ordered. She told me that this trip was her 10- year wedding anniversary gift from her husband, while he stayed behind to take care of his business and their 5-year old daughter. I have no intention to be criticizing their decision. I’d rather embrace how understanding her husband is and how hard Amy works every day by working full-time, being a mom and being a wife at the same time. I guess her mom was so upset hearing Amy was traveling alone and leaving her daughter behind. I understand where her mom is coming from but she should know already by now that Amy is spontaneous, curious and a determined person, which makes Amy so unique and interesting.

So, I have photos of what we ate that night but I don’t have any comments on them. They were good.

Really, who would do this kind of trip? My crazy friend Amy does. I am so glad that I have such an insane friend who makes my life way more entertaining and fun.

Embrace your craziness, Amy. This is a huge compliment.

food

Maria Kotchetkova: Celebrate with Soy & Honey Grazed Chicken

March 22, 2015by have you eaten?Leave a Comment

This is only my opinion but Maria Kotchetkova is one of the most beautiful human beings alive in today’s world. She’s a principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet Company. As I am writing right now, I can barely contain myself because of my over excitement of joy

I set my alarm to wake up today (Sunday!) at 5:30am. What for? Well, because American Ballet Theater’s Swan Lake was going to be on sale at 9am EST today. 9am EST means 6am PST! There are millions of gorgeous ballerinas in the world but this petit Russian, somewhat quirky dancer, is my favorite. Last time I was in San Francisco to watch Giselle, I was hoping to see her dance but the principal that night was not Maria. It was a beautiful stage production regardless of course (it’s SFB after all), but I still want to see Maria dance.

I follow Maria Kotchetkova’s FB page and Instagram. One post said “Swan Lake June 26^th, American Ballet Theater” I freaked out because that means she will be a guest principal dancer of American Ballet Theater production of Swan Lake. What an unreal combination! I really can’t even handle this. When I saw the post, I called Archie right away and asked him if he wanted to go to New York City with me (again). I wonder how many men are willing to travel to NYC from Seattle just to watch one production of ballet, completely based on my taste. He didn’t even hesitate to say yes. He even asked me, “do you want to go back to Joseph Leonard for dinner?” He knows me so well and he is the best man alive.

To show my gratitude to Archie, I decided to marinade chicken (one of his favorite food) with my soy & honey sauce with ginger and sake for a few hours and grill them. I hope he will enjoy this with his Fremont Interurban IPA.

The most gorgeous ballerina, the best friend I could ever ask for and soy & honey grazed chicken. What a satisfying Sunday.

personal view

Complicated Times: Simple Reminder

March 20, 2015March 20, 2015by have you eaten?2 Comments

All I need is a very simple reminder when it feels like my life is getting complicated.

WAKE UP – yes, I did that. I got out of the bed this morning. Barely, but I did it.

KICK ASS – I am not sure I did kick ass truly but at least I tried.

REPEAT – OK, I will see tomorrow.

Only three things. I think I can handle that. I would add one more here, “Stay Humble.” I look forward to welcoming tomorrow.

japan

Sakura: Cherry Blossom

March 18, 2015by have you eaten?2 Comments

Every year I experience this bitter sweet feeling. I grew up in Tokyo, Japan. I had been waiting for getting out of that country since I was five even though I am very proud Japanese. I felt like I was living inside of small box and there was no way to go and I was dying to search for my independence and freedom. Now, I love Seattle. This beautiful city has been treating me so wonderfully and it has been delighted to be here.

It is spring and cherry blossom (sakura) season. I think sakura is very special to majority of Japanese people and the most admired flower/tree in Japan. I see gorgeous sakura trees in Seattle as well. Every time I see it, my heart aches. I feel slightly homesick. It is interesting indeed to feel that way because I always tried to be away from Japan.

When I retire, I want to go visit Japan every spring to see these sakura trees. Then I die, I want my ashes to be spread underneath of my favorite cherry tree. It would be nice if the tree is one of these in the photo (this is very near to where I used to live).

Personal

Alphabet Questions: T-Z (Y: crying is good for you)

March 17, 2015by have you eaten?Leave a Comment

T – Time you woke up?: 2:30

U – Umbrella color?: blue

V – Very best friend?: Archie who is currently suffering from allergy

W – Which celebrity I’d marry?: Jimmy Fallon

X – X rays I’ve had?: chest

Y – Your last time you cried?: Today. I was reading this Japanese book and this one character who is 70 year old cancer patient and has a daughter who is about to be married. He didn’t want to tell her about his illness before her wedding so he was trying to hide it from her. But she knew and he also knew that she knew. That scene.

Z – Zodiac sign?: Libra

restaurant

Not Too Odd (actually quite nice): Oddfellows Cafe + Bar

March 16, 2015by have you eaten?6 Comments

Rustic, funky, vintagey, hip and eclectic. All of it.

This place is one of a few cafes where you want to spend for hours. One of those places you get immediately comfortable and hanging out with hip crowd. Oddfellows Café is located inside of Oddfellows building, built in 1908 (my house is built in the same year!). This café still has original old wooden floors, bricks and windows and offers rustic and environmentally sustainable fare.

Please sit for hours when you visit here. You will enjoy music, handcrafted espresso drinks, dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and lots of charm. This is one of places I proudly can say “very Seattle” – rustic, funky, vintagey, hip and eclectic

personal view

Lazy Blue Sunday: Raining Too

March 15, 2015March 15, 2015by have you eaten?3 Comments

It is raining in Seattle. I actually get so relieved when I hear sound of the rain. This one tiny little thing has been bothering me for a while so I decided to have a very lazy Sunday. Pajama all day Sunday. My quality life however can’t be affected so I had:

Starbucks Kenya

Almond Cherry Pie from Seattle’s finest, High 5 Pie

And Ginger, my overweight Chihuahua

So I have to say, I still had a lovely Sunday. I stayed inside all day but I am not regretting a bit. It is raining in Seattle. I kind of like it too.

restaurant

Dum Sum in the Evening: 飲茶 Yum Cha

March 13, 2015by have you eaten?Leave a Comment

Silk Road travelers. They must have traveled under severe and harsh conditions but I can’t stop fantasize about the time period. Transporting silks, gold, precious stones, fabrics, animal skins, exotic fruit on the back of camels…

飲茶: 飲＝drink 茶= tea

Dim sum is linked with the old tradition from yum cha (tea tasting). Silk Road travelers needed a place to rest and teahouses were established along the roadside. Those teahouses offered food and tea…that’s a short history of yum cha.

Dum sum is traditionally eaten during morning and late afternoon. In Seattle Chinatown however, Chinese restaurants offer limited dim sum items for dinner as well (thank goodness). I wanted to eat out but wanted it to be quick and easy. Dim sum can be the perfect supper.

Dim sum in the evening in Chinatown. It could be a good place to take your date as well J

personal view

Alphabet Questions: M-S (especially R)

March 10, 2015March 10, 2015by have you eaten?Leave a Comment

M – Most favorite book?: Tokyo Bandwagon

N – Nicknames?: Mimi Gomez

O – One wish?: All animals get saved

P – Person who texted me last?: Vivienne

Q – Question you’re always asked?: Where did I put that?

R – Reason to smile?: Chocolate, my overweight chihuahua, many, many, many good books, Billie Holiday records, my mom’s cooking, quote like ““Maybe we should all just listen to records and quit our jobs.” by Jack White, smell of freshly opened bag of Sun-dried Ethiopia Yirgacheff coffee beans, oranges, dog paws, depressing music grabs my heart, English accent, movie like Liberal Arts, independent bookstores like Shakespeare & Co., tasty pastries at Crumble and Flake, Joseph Leonard, New York City especially East/West Village, Rent, Stomp, handwritten letters, text message saying “i love u,” holding hands, Paris, Paris, Paris, Staub pots, vintage housewares, Bangkok, warm and cozy bed, sound of rain drops, sound of cello makes, Picasso painting, Maria Kochetkova, point shoes, stylish looking glasses, snow, flower bouquet made by Ayako, Emily Dann, the Corson Building, Autumn, claw-foot tubs, old wood chairs/tables, well-polished shoes, home cooking, chopping vegetables with my Aritsugu knife, beach, ocean, sunset, I can go on for about 2 days to list what makes me happy so I will stop right here. And, Archie.

S – Song I sang last?: Cups (“When I’m Gone”)

food

Confidence in Happy Cows: Skagit River Ranch

March 8, 2015by have you eaten?2 Comments

Betty said with her doubtful voice, “How can you eat meat you bought at the farmers market? Is it even safe?” I don’t know Betty well. We just dance at the same dance studio and exchange not-so-deep conversations. We were talking about my favorite farmers market and told her that I don’t shop at giant chain supermarkets anymore because I could find almost everything I need at the farmers market.

There are at least three wonderful butchers at University Farmers Market. Once I bought a huge beef lamp at Sea Breeze Farm, I asked George, owner of this farm, how I should store the meat and he said “keep in a fridge uncovered and it will last about a month.” He also advised me “when you start seeing mold on surface, all you have to do is to wipe the mold with vinegar. You can also enjoy raw.” He was so right. I enjoyed his beef in every way for about 3-1/2 weeks.

Yesterday morning, I bought some beef from Skagit River Ranch for the first time. I asked this super friendly lady Eiko what’s the best way to cook this. She said, “you just marinade for about a couple of hours then cook 7 minutes one side and 5 on the other. I like medium.” I also asked if I can cook with less time because I like medium rare. She said, “honey, you can eat that sucker raw.” Now you understand why I love this farmers market.

Eiko also gave me her “Simple Everything Marinade” recipe. You mix olive oil, soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, garlic and lemon juice. I marinated for about 4 hours. I think that was the best steak I have ever cooked at home. Beautiful pink/red inside and came out so tender. I simmered left-over marinade for a minute and used for dressing over a braised broccoli salad.

It is way “safer” than any meat you can find at Safeway. These farmers are not only confident what they provide for customers but also offer with pride. You can actually taste it. Their care, passion and love for what they do.

Betty, I hope you try the meat at a local farmers market one day. I promise you, you will enjoy it so much because, “you can eat that sucker raw.”