Ode Foie Bottarga and Cucumber

Ode to innovative French in Tokyo

Ode to modernity, ode to creativity, ode to fabulous food. That’s how I would sum up Ode restaurant in Tokyo. Located in the lovely residential neighbourhood of Hiroo, which has more than its fair share of cool cafes and shops, it was a pleasant stroll around the area before settling down to lunch at Ode. […]

Shirosaka Mackerel

Shirosaka – Gem of a fine dining find in Tokyo

Shirosaka was recommended to me by a local, one who knows how much I appreciate fine dining with a healthy dose of friendly charm thrown in. I also wanted to try a place that might not be as well-known and is relatively new. And boy, did he make a good recommendation with Shirosaka! In fact, […]

Gion Hatanaka Ryokan Dinner

Ryokan stay at Gion Hatanaka, Kyoto

Right. Ryokans. Tell me a few years ago that I should be paying $800 a night to sleep on the floor in a spartan room in Kyoto and I would have checked you into a spartan room with padded walls. But, the older, wiser me has reconsidered this. Especially the older, wiser me who has […]