A little more information

The two main activities in my life: Helping the hungry in the late hours of the night and helping guitar players sound better one amp at a time.

I always try to remember that in order to do good one has to take action and actually do something.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I have watched the city and Southern California change for well over half a century.

I can be found on facebook at www.facebook.com/mylesr or on twitter at www.twitter.com/myles111us

As of late 2019 the music related links and prints noted on this page which had their links to by GAB (Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting) website are no longer accessible. I grew weary of updating my GAB website and let it go away. You can contact me on Facebook. Saunders Stewart Models continues full operation but we are not accepting new clients without a referral.

Los Angeles Architectural History

Los Angeles Architectural History
1935 Art Deco at some of its finest: No. 168 - Griffith Observatory- (click on the photo for information)

Monday, October 1, 2012

A letter from Japan

I just received a letter from my sister who is in Japan.  I felt her food reviews are much better than my own.

As part of that long weekend we made a "pilgrimage" to Sukyiyabashi Jiro - considered one of the best in Tokyo.  A documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" was made about this chef's father (now 87) who has done nothing but make sushi for over 70 (?) years.   See the movie, if you can!  After we saw the film in L.A. We decided we MUST eat at both of the restaurants (son's and father's).   It was *the best* sushi we ever ate (Tokyo fish market coming in 2nd).  

The meal began with sashimi -- I am not usually a fan of abalone (it is in season now) but this was unlike any I've had before.  It was kind of like my tofu experience in Kyoto; before Kyoto tofu I always told people I didn't care for the no-flavor, rubbery substance that was served in dishes in the U.S.  This abalone was not tough, somewhat mushroomy and artichoke bottom-like.  Really fantastic.  We were given a tiny side dish of a darkly colored matter (I thought it was seaweed) but were told it was abalone liver and it was also delicious.  My favorite however may have been the bonito.  It was seared and smoked and heavenly.  I like bonito generally.  When I saw the slices of fish he was preparing for the sashimi I was a bit nervous as they were large, and I've had a few past experiences with very large pieces of sashimi that have been difficult to eat, chew, etc., etc.  This was creamy and buttery and the smoky flavor was amazing.  It was served with a ginger dipping sauce that was fantastic with it.  

After the sashimi course the sushi was fairly traditional:  flounder, tuna from maguro, to mid-fatty toro, to "o-toro" (honorable), uni (again most amazing I've ever had), ebi (shrimp), squid, clam, salmon roe, mackerel and sardine.  The finish was their famous tamago (egg) that was more like cake than omelet -- sweet and a perfect finish to the meal.  Along with green tea of course.  So, you can tell we were given a large quantity of fish and the pieces of fish were also quite large. 

Later in our meal we started talking with some locals (we were happy to be the only non-Japanese there) and when they learned we were living in Kyoto I think they were more impressed (vs. us being a total tourist) and with Ian at the University, etc., etc.  The others were quite friendly and it was a super-fun and memorable dinner!  We do plan to visit the father's restaurant, also in Tokyo (8 seats) when we are again in Tokyo, at the end of November.

Photo courtesy of Ian Piumarta

Photo courtesy of Ian Piumarta

Photo courtesy of Ian Piumarta

Photo courtesy of Ian Piumarta

Photo courtesy of Ian Piumarta

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