Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo and some bites here and there

[KitKat]

After a short wait, we were served





this was great!!!!!
Pork was cooked perfectly (I guess the fat content in the meat helped!)
Moist and juicy inside and thin crust on outside, aah, hungry now
(I tell myself that these deep fried stuff are really steamed in the middle)
Best Tonkatsu I have ever had for a while, well worth the wait
PCR 8

 

[KitKat]

After a lovely lunch it was back for more shopping, getting gifts for friends from the confectionary items in the Takashimaya basement.

Then it was back to the Westin for a rest before dinner

I chose this place Aria di Tacubo - an Italian place close to the Westin...

Italian in Japan? well I am always keen to try anything and a change from the previous days, so here it goes

Was not too difficult to find, close to the Ebisu station

some lovely olives to start the night


interesting cutlery


Spring cabbage soup
- yummy, PCR 7


Firefly squid
- must be in season, it is everywhere..
- well cooked
PCR 7


Caprese
- always admire the Japanese, they always seem to get the best out of the simplest ingredients
- tomatoes were sweet
PCR 6.5 (knocked off some points as not much needed to put this all together but great ingredients)

 

[KitKat]

tonnarelli, scallops and red cabbage
well cooked
PCR 7.5

Tonnarelli is made in a similar way to spaghetti except that the machine that extrudes the pasta produces a square cross-section rather than a circular cross-section.

(learn something everyday)


house bread
crusty outside, moist inside, way I like my bread
PCR 7


fried white asparagus
PCR 7.5 (I like asparagus!)


Roasted potato ("matured under the snow" - I guess this relates to where it comes from at the moment)
PCR 6.5 very good roast potato but not sure of this being a dish by its own
(put flame suit on - similar thoughts on Attica's potato)


Grilled sea bream
- these guys never fail in cooking seafood well..
PCR 7.5 great flavours

 

[KitKat]

risotto bolognese
- a new combination for me
- surprisingly was good
PCR 7


chargrilled pork
- again well cooked
- they really know how to cook pork as well
- none of the "porky" taste
PCR 7.5


spaghetti lemon flavoured tomato sauce
- unusual final course
PCR 7


Unusual end to the evening.. no dessert in the courses!

Food was good but a little pricey for the ingredients (about 100 AUD pp)
Small restaurant, more like private dining

An option near the Ebisu station if bored with local fare but takes a while to get through all the courses
(hard to get bored with what else is on offer in Tokyo!!)

So it was a slow walk back to the hotel, packing and some sleep before the early trip to the airport..

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

KitKat I hope our cherry blossom trip next April is as good as yours. :mrgreen: Loved your photos ! And how much weight did you put on eating all that food !

 

[KitKat]

KitKat I hope our cherry blossom trip next April is as good as yours. :mrgreen: Loved your photos ! And how much weight did you put on eating all that food !

Thanks

Am sure it will be great! Japan is lovely anytime

Best go a little early by a few days of the average bloom time and stay past for a few days.. and be flexible so that you could travel up and down Japan as necessary

Yes, that's why I am now on a calorie "restriction" diet whenever am not on holiday

 

[drron]

An awesome TR kitkat.Just loved it.So much so that we are going next year.Will be spending a month in Japan from late March.

 

[KitKat]

Slow ride into NRT, but easy check in and immigration process.

First it's off to the JAL Flounge for some food..

Warm welcome into the lounge as WP

Booked a massage on the way in

(now in the foot steps of boomy in the JAL Flounge)

Some sushi

Early morning stiff drink with some nibbles

Am cheap, prefer the 12 year old Yamazaki

cherry blossom dumpling to complement the season (was good)

 

[KitKat]

After a firm massage (15 mins), we left the lounge to have a look at the shops..


it was time to board but I just needed to get some KitKats
"darling you go ahead and board, I'll see you onboard!"
after some quick purchases, managed to board with plenty of time to spare


the train is gone, you have to walk to the other end of the terminal


last view of Narita on the way up


settled in to watch some Hobbit

some nibbles to get going

 

[KitKat]

the usual MH fare, does the job of keeping hunger at bay
I think the satay is better from KUL...

 

[KitKat]

midlfight snack, again nothing spectacular but am not complaining considering the price for J

Uneventful flight to KUL


surprisingly I enjoy the MH regional lounge more than the KUL MH Flounge

Another uneventful flight to SIN after a short transit

No problem getting a cab to Sheraton Towers, avoided the Chrysler Cabs..they cost more for no real benefit

After dropping off our stuff in the room, it was off to Newton Circus aka tourist trap for a quick supper


very good oyster omelette but a little pricey (cf drron's special in BKK)

 

[KitKat]

An awesome TR kitkat.Just loved it.So much so that we are going next year.Will be spending a month in Japan from late March.

Thanks drron. Am sure you will enjoy the cherry blossoms then... all of it... till they are "snowing" and on the ground

 

[legroom]

Excellent TR

Very enjoyable

Hope your BMI stays the same (wink) !