dining

An Extraordinary Birthday Dinner and Date Night at Masa

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Join us on a culinary journey that perfectly combines elegance, artistry, and exceptional flavors. Zachary’s recent birthday celebration at Masa was truly an unforgettable experience. As we stepped into the warm ambiance of the restaurant, the allure of freshly-prepared sushi peaked our appetite and memories of our trip to Japan.

With each bite, we could taste the meticulous craftsmanship and passion that goes into every dish. The exquisite presentation of the sushi, delicately placing pieces on a beautiful hinoki wood counter, showcased the chef’s dedication to perfection. Each morsel was a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, leaving us craving more.

It was not only the food that made the evening memorable. The intimate setting and impeccable service created an atmosphere of tranquility and romance. Surrounded by the soft glow of dimmed lights and the gentle murmur of conversation, we felt transported to a world where time stood still. Angel selected a great Sake to cap the experience.

As we enjoyed our meal together, the love and connection between us seemed to grow, deepening the meaning of this special occasion. The company of my partner, their hand in mine, made the evening even more extraordinary – a date night like no other.

In this delightful gastronomic adventure, Masa has undoubtedly earned its place in the prestigious Michelin Guide. Combining traditional techniques with innovative twists, their culinary creations are a testament to the artistry and skill of their talented team.

If you’re seeking a memorable dining experience that transcends the ordinary, look no further than Masa. Whether it’s a celebration or a romantic night out, Masa will leave you with cherished memories and a profound appreciation for the art of sushi.

Some facts we learned while dining at Masa:

  1. The hinoki Counter has a top layer sanded down between every seating
  2. Chef Masa arranged all of the floral accents locally in NY state (several people have fallen into the pond around it LOL)
  3. Both Masa and Per Se opened the same year as some of the first restaurants in Columbus Circle mall in 2004.
  4. All of the dinging-ware at Masa is designed by Chef Masa and Masa Design
  5. Chef Masa also owns his own fishing company in Japan to import/export fresh fish worldwide

Masa Menu for 11/29/2023

Appetizers

  • Stone Crab with Uni Aioli
  • Toro Tartare with Osetra Caviar
  • Buri Sashimi, Wild Caught Yellowtail with Ponzu
  • Roasted Uni Half Shell – Sea Urchin, White Miso Custard, Truffle Grilled Akamutsu, Sea Perch
  • Ohmi Beef Tataki with White Truffle
  • Tai Soup

Sushi Courses

  • Toro – fatty tuna belly
  • Hirame – fluke
  • Tai – sea bream
  • Kinmedal – golden eye snapper
  • Ika – squid
  • Amaebi – sweet shrimp
  • Hotate- Scallop
  • Awabi – abalone
  • Suji – grilled toro sinew & scallion
  • Foie Gras
  • Saba- Japanese Mackerel
  • Sayori – needle fish
  • Shiitake mushroom
  • Anago – sea water eel
  • Kuruma Ebi – tiger prawn
  • Hokkaido Uni – sea urchin
  • White Truffle (this is the only sour note – this should have been excluded)
  • Negi Toro – fatty tuna, scallion, nori
  • Ume Shiso – pickled lotus root, shiso, sour plum

Dessert

  • Seasonal Fruit with Soba-cha tea
  • We actually were served a Matcha Crepe Cake from Lady M

NOFO Trip 2021, post-covid-ish, a wine weekend

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This past summer, we took our annual summer trip to the North Fork of Long Island—also known as NOFO. Long story short, for the last eight years we’ve been going to the North Fork for Angel’s best friend’s birthday. Every year, a group of us—all close friends, all couples—make the trip out en masse, looking forward to a summer week on the beach with good company, good wine, and good (sea)food. In August, we stayed for five days, rented a house in Greenport—a historic seaside town—and lived life. Slow and unhurried, appreciating every lull and lapping wave at our leisure.

The house we rented was an Air B&B in a community with its own private, residents-only beach. It was a typical stony beach on the northern shore, interspersed with a little bit of sand, not directly on the Sound. I certainly spent some time exploring its expanse, taking in the sight of the crystal-clear water, breathing in the salt.

Each time we’re here, we patronize a few tried-and-true wineries as well as search out new restaurants in Greenport. The first night of our trip was an outing to one of our favorite wineries, McCall Wines. They have a farm on the property and raise grass-fed beef. Because of COVID, this year they set up an outside trailer where you could sip wine and order burgers. The burgers were cooked perfectly and came with a side of crispy fries.

The second new restaurant we went to has had a few restaurants come and go on its premises. A few facelifts, if you will. Now it’s a restaurant called Anchor—a combination of a restaurant with a nice upstairs patio and a fish market upfront by the entrance, where you could buy shrimp, fresh-caught fish, and oysters. That night, we sat upstairs and had some oysters and wine. We’re crossing our fingers that Anchor is an iteration that’ll stay around for a couple of years. If so, we’ll be frequenting again next year.

For years now, I’ve been angling to visit one of the vineyards that specialize in sparkling wine. This year, we finally went and paired our sparkling wine and champagne with a side of caviar served with wafers, crème fraiche, and potato chips.

Toward the end of our trip, at one of our favorite wineries to go to, we got attacked by bees. Nobody was stung! But it did seem a whole colony had descended upon us, trying to get to our food. Good to know there are still bees buzzing around, pollinating where needed—although their collective presence did prove challenging when trying to eat! The charcuterie was great—the bees certainly thought so—and the wine never disappoints.

The rest of the trip unfolded at the same leisurely pace. One day we went to the bookstore in Greenpoint that Angel loves. The next was spent on a dock, in the company of margaritas, looking over the water. Overall, it was another relaxing trip for the books. Happy birthday, Steven!

Weekend Clambake, Seafood Galore

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We decided to do a clambake steamer bucket from Captain’s Market—a.k.a. Captain Stinkies (more on that later)—here in King of Prussia. You’re given a bucket, into which you add wine or beer or whatever you’ll want to steam, along with your seafood like shrimp, clams, oysters, crab, or lobster and sundry ingredients (i.e. corn or potatoes).

You can steam it on a grill or over a fire; we used our stove. We have now lovingly referred to Captain’s Market as Captain Stinkies, christened with the nickname by Angel when neither of us could remember the actual name off the top of our heads. Not disparaging by any means; we loved it and look forward to our next summer clambake!

Sunday second brunch at The Richardson

| #boyfriendswhobrunch #brooklyn #brunch #richardson | ???
 
| Finally, I had the time and was in the right location to try the Richardson (@therichardsonnyc). I have to say the cocktails were pretty great and the sandwiches were better then I expected for bar food. The Richardson is your classic cocktail bar with a slight pub feel. They serve many drinks and have a larger selection of whiskey & bourbon; I had a vesper.
 
The layout of the bar is great to sit and people watch and the patio a a decent size. You can normally find a seat either inside or outside if you get there a bit early, but even at a peek time there is not much of a wait.
 
| Read Insta-comments -> http://bit.ly/2pUmwiP

Philly weekend with Bae – Mom’s Bday

| #boyfriendswhobrunch #seafood #philly
| Truth be told, we were in Philadelphia for my mother’s birthday. My mother is a seafood fan and we decided to take her to Devon Seafood Grill for lunch and then some shopping.
Continue reading Philly weekend with Bae – Mom’s Bday

Loving Lucky Luna

| #lucky #noodles #bao @LuckyLunaNY | ???
| I am having serious doubts about sharing this restaurant and subsequent post. Lucky Luna is one of those neighborhood gems that you may regret telling people about if word spreads about its likable qualities and as a result it becomes too popular to get a seat.
Continue reading Loving Lucky Luna

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO WORLDWIDE ETIQUETTE

Etiquette varies widely from culture to culture. What may be perfectly normal in one country can sometimes be a grave insult in another. This ultimate guide to worldwide etiquette will help you avoid embarrassing (and sometimes dangerous) mistakes during your travels abroad.

This is the perfect little guide for traveling abroad – just one of those little things to help you look like an informed individual and not an ignorant tourist. 

(via SWISSOTEL)

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