You know I couldn’t come to Japan and not visit the Alice in Wonderland themed restaurant. Last night we braved the rain and made our way to Ginza to experience Alice fantasy dining. Upon stepping off the elevator you are wrapped in pages of the book, and Alice or the Mad Hatter takes you to your seat where you are presented with a diorama box that pulls apart to reveal the menu. The cocktails are on the sweet side, but not as much as some Japanese drinks. The rose fizz I had was so tasty I had two, as was the kiwi concoction my husband had. For dinner, we went with the set course, which started with a phenomenal salad with the sweetest corn and best bite of lobster I’ve ever had. This was also served with a salmon cream topped with caviar, which may have been my favorite dish that evening. The rest of the meal was tasty, and items like the salmon in cream made up to look like the white rabbit were delightful, but this place is all about the ambience. Sitting in a teacup or amongst the queen’s hedges, ringing a tiny bell foe service, and having Alice pull out her cards to take your order. As surreal as the movie or books.

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Dinner, Travels by Courtney

Continuing on the trend of international foods in Tokyo, we headed back to Cafe Blue last night to sample more than their wines (though we had plenty of those too). The Nagano prosciutto had been in my head since I saw it on the menu a few night ago, so we started with that and a Pinot Gris from the Nagano area. The prosciutto was a tad tougher in the meaty areas than its Italian cousin, but man was it ever full of flavor, and the fat just disintegrated immediately upon hitting your mouth. Next up was anchovy deep fried potatoes, which were actually fries with flakes of anchovy. This went amazingly well with the Yoichi rose from the Hokkaido region, which almost had a hint of effervescence. Perfect with the fried food, given its slight sweetness. Next we shared the hand kneaded pasta of the day, a parpardelle with a traditional pork and beef ragu. The ragu ingredients were chopped a bit rougher than traditionally, but again the flavors were spot on. I didn’t know the region my Cabernet came from, and thus I’ve already forgotten, so this is on the list to look up when I get home. The nose had an almost cigarette-y tobacco smell, which was odd, but upon drinking the flavors gave way to the earthy yet subtle fruit flavor one would expect from a cab. The last plate we shared was a tankagyu beef, which was served with a wine reduction, shishito peppers, potatoes, and a bit of okra. While I had planned to continue with my cab, at the last moment my curiosity got the better of me and I ordered a Dry Creek zinfandel, Dashe. Ooooh, it tastes like home. Big, jammy flavors, a fruit bomb that most California zins are. Stick a fork in me, I’m done. Now to hike back to the train station so I can roll into bed.

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Dinner, Travels, Wine is fine by Courtney

And we finally found a slice of Americana here in Tokyo. Chili cheeseburger for me, bacon burger for Raju. A San Diego micro brew, Tribe Called Quest, the War, Waylon Jennings, and Bruce Springsteen on the radio, and art of the American South on the walls. In a place named after a Jewish grandmother, Bubby’s. Hit the spot.

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Beer makes me cheer, Dinner, Lunch, Travels by Courtney

When I think wine, and I think Japan, the two don’t necessarily go together in my head. Of course, there’s plum wine and sake, but this trip I’ve been able to sample some really nice wines made in a European style. The first was Villange de Bessho, from the area of Nagano we were staying in, Bessho Onsen. This red wine was made in a traditional Bordeaux style (or, at least, that’s what it tasted like) and was served rather cold. The chill of the wine killed the flavors on the front end of tasting, but on the back you definitely began to get the full experience of the some. As it warmed up it just got better and better. The second wine I discovered in a wine bar in Tokyo. It too was from Nagano, this time a chardonnay, but I’ll have to do a bit more digging to learn the name. Interesting, this wine smelled very sweet, but came away with a slightly tart flavor upon drinking. If I happen upon another chance to visit Japan, I think a wine tour of the Nagano region is in high order.

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Travels, Wine is fine by Courtney

It has been a few days since I’ve posted any of my daily meals, and that’s partially because I’ve been stuffing myself silly with kaiseki meals. Kaiseki meals are 7 courses of local, seasonal cuisine. I never manage to get a full documentation of the meal because somewhere along the way I stop taking photos, enjoying the food way too much. Last night I persisted, though, and managed to document our entire meal beginning to end (above). Our server was kind enough to translate the menu for us, so we had a bit more of a sense of what we were eating.

The best part came at dessert. Matcha pudding garnished with fresh fruits, and since it was Christmas Eve, they had made a tiny Santa Claus out of a strawberry and whipped cream. I have a feeling it will be one of our most memorable moments from Japan.

Merry Christmas!!

Filed under:
Dessert, Dinner, Travels by Courtney