A la Cuisine!, Morimoto, NYC
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Gael and Emiliano, just about to step into Morimoto, NYC
It’s Emi’s Birthday and this time we decided to go to Morimoto for some great food to celebrate! It’s our very first time being at Morimoto and we are bit excite and but also nervous because we really would not like an Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s restaurant being disappointing. So many of these foodie places we find over rated. Not that great at the end…
Oh Chef, Please, you better be Awesome!!!
Chef’s cook books greet you the second you walk into the restaurant.
We get seated in one of the smaller section of the restaurant. Not so open, but then also quite intimate. We are quite happy so far. And the drink and main menu.
This is the very first dish of 7course tasting menu both Emi and I had chosen. All the On trays sound excellent in good range of fish and meat. There’s also a list of Sushi and Sashimi, but we pretty much knew we would go for the Chef’s choice 7 course tasting menu: Morimoto Omakase, a multi course tasting menu to allow you to experience the essence of Morimoto’s Cuisine. This first dish is ” Toro Tartar” on a bamboo plate over a sheet of banana leaf underneath with 6 small portion of garnish that were unbelievably flavorful. This plate is a size of any guy’s palm, so the portion is small but then perfect as a starter and it was absolutely satisfying with gorgeous flavors. THANK YOU CHEF!
You will scrape off bit of tartar with this stainless steel flat spoon sort of, then also steal bit of any garnish then dip the whole thing in the light Dashi in a small bowl that came together. It’s amazing.
While Emi and I are tasting Omakase, Gael’s having a hot stone bowl Yellow Tail Buri. A sort of Korean Dolsot Bibimbap but with Morimoto’s twist. No chili paste here. Fresh Shiso leafes and delicate and light sweet soy based sauce adds quite powerful flavor to this super fresh Yellow Tail Sashimi over the rice. There are some Japanese mountain veggies and toasted nori and raw egg to be all mixed together. The serving staff who was helping was friendly and casual.
Our turn again for the second course. The Yellow tail Crudo with Pea shoots, Mushroom and sesame infused warm olive oil and drop of soy and yuzu. It’s a perfection. It’s just so delicious. The first and the second courses were our two favorite. I can probably have this everyday.
The third dish. OK. Just OK. This one we didn’t care for much. We actually didn’t need this at all. It’s sort of ” Veggie” dish with dipping sauce idea. The anchovy reduction was just all right and veggie were not substantial enough. I would’ve rather not had this at all or maybe would’ve liked something very simple and refreshing salad like. Chef, Please don’t let us down for the rest..!
The fourth one. A fresh oyster accompanied by Foie Gras and warm drizzle of delicate Teriyaki sauce. This one was quite lovely. Emi liked this much more than I did perhaps. Still the first and the second course is lingering on the tip of my tongue….!
Too busy eating and chatting, forgot to take a snap of Course 5, a plate of assorted 6 piece Sushi. They were bit small at bite size with impeccable freshness. They were excellent!
Now the On tray, course 6. Surf and Turf. A lobster tail over a slightly fried sweet potato sticks and lightly seared Korean style marinated Yagyu beef accompanied by whipped up lemon mousse. DELICIOUS!!! It was quite satisfying as portion wise and the lobster tail was perfectly cooked tenderly with amazing seasoning and the beef just melts in your mouth… This On tray made our quite pricy Omakase experience all worth it!
The Lobster tail on the front and the Yagyu beef on the back.
The last course, Dessert. A cup of Sweet potato flan/custard sort of. With a soy stick, poached pear slices, black berry and dollop of cream fresh and an edible flower on the side.. The Soy stick I didn’t go for. I don’t know why. I love the potato flan! Ahh, It also had passion fruit syrup over the flan!
Thank you Chef Morimoto for a great experience! It was quite amazing!
and Happy Happy Birthday to you Emi! Thank You and Gael for everything we have together!
and….LOvE, NYC!
Gael, Everyday is Father’s day for you!
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Without a son, there will be no father. Without a father, there will be no son. I love you both so much and that was a rock and roll Father and son day you two! Doing a sort of throw down at Coney Island Luna Park on June 19, 2011.
Gael, remember, Dad will be always always there for you. Everyday.
WHAT IS IT?
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Photos by Emi, Guess what this is!
This is how I feel.
Filed Under Emi, Speak my mind | 5 Comments
So I am So into Emiliano right now and Yes he is my hubby but also he’s going through bit of a moment not feeling so great these days so I find myself thinking about him all the time and I keep stealing quick looks into his face many many times. I wish Emi feels much better very soon and I realize I just love him no matter what and how and whatever and whenever that is. I spent much time looking through our old photos today from the time since many seasons back ago with me, Gael, vacations whatever and whenever that was. And I love looking at old photos and our little moments written from the past and I feel thankful about we had them and we will have much more again. I think about my brother how hard it would have been for him last year. And I think about my mother who lives alone back in my home and I wish she hang in there whenever she does not feel so great because I can’t imagine how hard it would be. And I really think about Benjamin who’s alone all the time and I better call him very soon. And Ben if you are reading this, I always always think about you. I like to fast forward the hard times but also the hard times are always humbling and make me grounded and think about many things in our lives and remind me of many good, bad and unfortunate things and let me measure how deep my heart and patience can go. I was thinking about what inspired me these days that leads me to go to my little blog to write about it then I couldn’t really think of anything but then I thought I would just let myself out and it feels good. Love you all.
Surprise! Happy Birthday to you, Emi!
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A Surprise date! A movie, ” House Maid”, an old Korean Black and White film from the 60’s at BAM, dinner at Nobu ( great Great dinner yet bit over rated by the way…!), against the blowing wind of Tribeca cobble stoned corners in tipsy and silly walk together (ahhhh, the best time!), a fun cab ride across the city, at Times Square doing all the tourist things you can ever imagine… then totally on and at 43rd floor Spectacular room at W hotel Times Square with a view of the heart of all! A Bright Sexy New York Thing! It totally reminded us the first ever trip to NYC together. 28 days at Big Apple Hostel at Times Square Julie found us! ( Julie I need to thank you again, because maybe that was the real best time at NYC still as of today, the coolest and most real fun New Yorkers we met there!)
Last night, We felt the NYC all over again. We were really in the city again. I mean when do you get to sleep at Times square or even in the city if you lived in Brooklyn and worked in the city for last 15 years! So wish we had a small apartment in the city now! We had bit corny yet the best Fabulous time! How much we laughed! We were making fun of ourselves but couldn’t ignore that we were totally having fun. It just felt like the second date we had 17 years ago. Young and Carefree!
Love You and NYC!!
Emi, Happy Birthday to you!!!!!
11 years ago Today, 17 years and happily ever after…
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August 29, 1999: The early morning our time alone together before our wedding and the small ceremony with family and close friends in Valebenedetta, Livorno in Italy. The Catholic ceremony and Korean tradition of after wedding ceremony: Pe Beck (Blessing time for new life together among direct family members)
I strongly believe in happy marriage. But there is something much more important beneath “Being married or Being together”. It’s “Living our Life together”. Creating our Life together. Sharing our Life together. Compromising our Life together. Healing our Life together. Making the Room for our Life together. Respecting each other’s individual Life together. Understanding 2 of us in One life together. Knowing how to Free the other half in One life together. Only “Being in Love” is not enough. Love is actually already given. The “Marriage Certificate” does not do it either. We both need and needed two deepest hearts and patience to contain the love, hate, pain, joy, envy, and anything else that can rise in any moment.
I cherish every moment with you Emi for last 17 years together and 11 years married to each other’s body and soul. I love you Emi. Happy Anniversary to us…..!
Planting a Tree: Emiliano, Imagination, Duck Tapes
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Riis Park: Emi’s Birthday
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Life goes on. It was Emi’s birthday. And we headed out to Riis park near the Far Rockaway. Our little secret spot. Especially in November. Misty and beautiful. We managed to have fun and laughs playing a ball with Gael and Tania. I have been feeling so much love for Emi. Can’t explain how much. I love you Emi.
