Happy New Year to everyone! As 2012 begins, I wish only the best for my family, friends, and readers. I hope you all find that the new year is even better than the previous one. The last couple years have been challenging ones for many of us, especially economically, and it is my fervent hope that 2012 bring a much better economic outlook for all of us. No matter what happens though, we shall find a way to make 2012 a great year. Try to maintain a positive attitude, no matter what happens, and you can get through anything. For...
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Friday, 30 December 2011
Raise a sakazuki of o-toso and toast Oshogatsu, the New Year.About 130 years ago, after adopting the Gregorian calendar, Japan began celebrating New Year’s Day on January 1. One of the numerous Japanese customs surrounding this holiday involves sharing glasses of o-toso, a special herbal steeped sake. The term "toso" literally means “to kill or defeat an evil spirit.” O-toso is supposed to protect people from disease and promote...
Thursday, 29 December 2011
I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.**********************************************************1) The Dorchester Community Food Cooperative cuts the ribbon on its much-anticipated Winter Farmer’s Market in Codman Square Great Hall on January 8. Simultaneously, Ashmont Grill's Give Back @ The Grill program enters its second year by supporting the Dorchester Community Food Coop throughout the month...
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Have you ever sipped a wine that reminded you of llamas? Recently, I did and it is not as unusual as it may sound.Last spring, I traveled to Argentina and met Ernesto Catena, the son of the renowned Nicolás Catena Zapata, and you can read of that encounter in Alma Negra: A Japanese Aesthetic in Argentina. Ernesto is quite the character, and definitely an intelligent and passionate man. One of his projects involves the Tikal Wines, which have...
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
"Man being reasonable must get drunk; The best of life is but intoxication; Glory, the grape, love, gold - in these are sunk - The hopes of all men and of every nation”--Lord ByronI am back with another volume in my new series, Authors, Alcohol & Accolades. Volume 1 showcased four of my favorite authors, and I have returned to highlight four more, and to delve into their drinks of choice. I have found this to provide a fascinating glimpse...
Monday, 26 December 2011
"You don't need to be a tea master to make good tea."It seems that you once could only get green tea at Asian restaurants, but now, many other restaurants carry it as well. The health benefits of green tea have become more widely known, plus it simply tastes good. Recently, I attended a green tea ("ryokucha" in Japanese) seminar at the Itadaki restaurant in Boston, which was put on by some very nice people from the Shizuoka Prefecture. I previously...
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my family, friends and all of my readers!May the glad tidings of this holiday season shine on you, your family and friends. May your celebrations be joyous and overflowing with great people, excellent conversation, fun times, delicious food and fine drink. May the gifts you give to others be well appreciated and bring joy to the recipients. May you thoroughly enjoy whichever holiday you celebrate at this season.This...
Friday, 23 December 2011
What were some of my favorite Sake items of the past year?Let me continue the lists of my best recommendations and favorites of the past year, 2011. I have already posted a list of my Favorite Restaurants, Favorite Food-Related Items, and Favorite Wine, Spirit & Drink Related Items. This is my final list, my Favorite Sake Items of the past year. This is certainly not a complete list but it is more a sampling of memorable matters I have experienced and posted about over the past year.This is also a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences,...
Thursday, 22 December 2011
I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.**********************************************************1) Executive Chef Brian Poe, of Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, is debuting nine new savory snacks as well as a “Midnight Special” each evening for late night dining. Designed with a super-spicy kick, this Special will change nightly. Chips & Dip ($8)Deep fried prosciutto,...
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
“Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.”--Ernest HemingwayFrom Ernest Hemingway to F. Scott Fitzgerald, writers have often been fond of alcohol. I write and am no different in my love for alcohol, though my writing quality, including my short stories, is certainly not on par with men such as those. I guess significant alcohol consumption does not always transform into greatness. Besides writing,...
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
What were some of my favorite food-related items of the past year?Let me continue the lists of my best recommendations and favorites of the past year, 2011. Last week, I provided a list of my Favorite Restaurants of 2011 and now I want to address my favorites for other Food-Related Items, from markets to books, from ingredients to bakeries. This is certainly not a complete list but it is more a sampling of memorable matters I have experienced and posted about over the past year.This is also a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences,...
Monday, 19 December 2011
Vegans and vegetarians beware, as you might be unknowingly ingesting genetic material which could adversely affect your health. In fact, anyone eating vegetables is susceptible to this potential.It seems that every week we are learning something new about the food we eat, either that the food is now more dangerous or more beneficial. Scientists are always studying the effect of various foods, and their results can change the way people...
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Come for the green tea and stay for the sake.Recently, I attended a green tea seminar at the Itadaki restaurant in Boston, which was put on by some very nice people from the Shizuoka Prefecture, located about 110 miles southwest of Tokyo. The region was located on the Tokaido, the most important road during the Edo period (1603 to 1868), which joined Tokyo to Kyoto. One of the most well known and treasured landmarks in Shizuoka is...
Friday, 16 December 2011
What were some of my favorite restaurants of the past year?I have already posted several of my Favorites' lists and and now I want to concentrate on my Favorite Restaurants of the past year. This is certainly not a complete list but it is more a sampling of memorable matters I have experienced and/or posted about over the past year. Some of the winners are the same as last year, and if so, I will provide a link to last year's list where you can read the details of that restaurant. Restaurants which are consistently good certainly deserve...
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