Jay Eats Worldwide

I’ve walked by this place  a few times before for their opening. Hatch Yakitori + Bar at  The Bloc  in Downtown LA. Well, today’s the day I get to sit down and sample the menu! I started with the Coconut Matcha, which was refreshing on a warm evening. You can sit inside, but tonight was a warm summer  evening and we decided to dine alfresco. The view above from the outside tables. Hard to believe that the Aon Building  was once the tallest building this side of the Mississippi River at one time. (From 1973 to 1989) See What Jay Eats... at this modern yakitori Miso Pork Spare Ribs  Miso caramel, slow cooked pork ribs, spice blend and green onions. Soboro Rice Marinated ground chicken  and quail egg yolk over rice. What’s a Yakitori place  without having Yakitori? Yup, we had a lot... What’s a chicken place with eggs? OK, these aren’t chicken eggs... BUT, they were still good. You can’t come to Hatch without having the Chicken Meatball stick. Dip t...

I was invited to a sneak peek of the new Kaiseki Bento Box at  Necco Japanese Tapas Restaurant  in West LA. Kaiseki Bento Box The traditional Japanese set was created by Chef Kenji Koyama and this 3 Tier set debuts on September 1, 2017. I know what a Bento Box is, what's Kaiseki? Without going into a lot of details, it's a traditional Japanese multi-course meal, featuring a simmered item, a fried item, a grilled item, etc. See What Jay Eats... Vegetable Tier Yaki Nasu:  Grilled Eggplant (Top Left) House-made Pickles (Top Right) Lotus Root & Gobo Root  with Sesame Dressing (Bottom Left) Okra Nori Goma Ae:  Okra with sesame sauce and topped with gogi berry. (Bottom Right) The okra with the sesame sauce was amazing and cooked just right, great flavor too. The eggplant was very traditional  with a dash of grated ginger. Fish/Meat Tier Albacore Nanban:  Lightly fried with a sweet sour sauce. (Top Right) Yuan Yaki Style Cod:  A miso glazed cod ...

I'm always a sucker for new dessert places. I remember hearing of a Japanese cheesecake place opening up at Westfield Santa Anita, but didn't really think much of it. Wasn't able to attend the media preview, so now's my chance to get to sample Uncle Tetsu's cheesecake . Ever since they had their Grand Opening, the lines have been long. I heard from a couple of friends that the wait was about 50 minutes. I happened to be at the mall and decided to check out the line. But first, I had to get over there. As Steve Jobs' said, "The Journey is the Reward" (the back way to the Asian food hallway) The line didn't seem too long the first day I stopped by. Why the line? They come out of the oven and  straight to the customer. But I had an appointment in the area, so I will have to wait another time. Today is the Day! I arrived at Westfield after 4 pm on a Thursday. ...

One of the things I got to do while I was in New York City, was to visit Brooklyn and try some of the restaurants. One of them is a Japanese restaurant serving Kyoto style small plates, including fresh house-made tofu and new style sushi. My friend and his wife suggested Hibino Brooklyn . See What Jay Eats...  We started with the fresh house-made tofu, served warm (or cold) with grated ginger and scallions with a soy-dash sauce. This reminded me of my trip to Kyoto and had fresh made tofu table side.  Agedashi Tofu Deep-fried house-made tofu with shishito peppers, Shiitake mushroom in a soy-dashi sauce. One of the best agedashi tofu I've had outside of Japan.  Hamachi Salad Yellowtail sashimi and Mesclun with shaved daikon & carrots in an onion soy dressing. Very good.  Okonomiyaki A Japanese pancake special Not my favorite dish of the evening, seems it was made...

As part of the 130th Anniversary of Little Tokyo, I'd like to explore some of the places off the beaten path that are part of what I consider Hidden in Little Tokyo.  First is Fu-ga Izakaya & Bar on San Pedro Street, between 1st and 2nd streets. Fu-Ga is downstairs off of San Pedro Street Also participating in the Taste of Little Tokyo Get your Stamp HERE!  A modern interior that goes with the menu Izakaya  is a place to eat and drink in a casual setting. Fu-ga serves a wide range of sushi rolls, grilled meats, salads, and has a small plate menu. Open for lunch too...   Speaking of sushi I saw Jiro Ono there, the famed sushi master from "Jiro Dreams of Sushi"  Let me explain...  OK, he was on the TV monitors while I was there. He wasn't there in person... They have some private rooms available What's an izakaya without good cocktails? A Premium Cocktai...