A quickie

My mother has returned back to Japan, and I am trying to get back into the swing of things...

I've got one more week of serious, serious work to do and then I'll get to breathe again and work more at my pace. I'm experiencing bad writer's block at the moment and the grant writing has been slow and painful. Painful is about as appropriate a word as I can find.

This is not so epicurean or so full of debauchery, so let me try to talk about some fun things from the last weekend...

Zuni Cafe - Mom loved the oyster tasting. In Japan, species-based tasting of oysters is pretty unique, so that was fun.

The Dining Room at the Ritz - very fun, interesting dining. Each dish had something fun to make us smile. Unfortunately, the wine pairing was too generous a pour per glass, and I don't remember much past the beef dish. Or was it some other red meat??? Or was it even red meat?????

Anzu, Sushi Counter - I always enjoy the sushi here. The white flesh fish (like halibut, flouder, etc) all have a little more 'bounce' to them with plumpness here than most other places. Unfortunately, Mom gave it a B, although saying that it was like many typical sushi places in Japan - which in my mind, is a big compliment...

Chao Vit (Duck Porridge) - this is what the Japanese call B-class gourmet. Not top of the line, but every-day low key food that is fit for the B-class gourmet. Mom was super-duper impressed by this bowl and duck plate.

I do have some pictures from my various dining moments with Mom, although it'll probably be a little while before I can get them all re-sized and what-not.

And so back to the grind I go!