December 31st...we went to our favorite soba shop to eat toshikoshi soba, but they were closed, so we ended up eating a nice bowl of kim chee ramen at Hanamichi. That night, I made some appetizers for dinner. One was this German potato dish. Thinly sliced potato, onions, weiners sauteed in a teaspoon of mayo. When the potatoes were cooked, everything was then sauteed in a teaspoon of whole seed mustard.Dessert were these ichigo mochi from Senjyuan (the fillings were different for each, pink = koshian (smooth bean paste), yellow = kuri (chestnut), green = tsubushian (chunky bean paste). Just as the sun set, we were able to see the planets line up.
January 1st...we went over to my MIL's and had lunch of o-sechi. Can you believe that the white orchids that bloomed on my FIL's birthday are still alive? We were amazed at how long they are lasting.
After a nap, we headed to Kitano Tenmangu to pray for the new year. While at Kitano Tenmangu, we picked up some chogoromochi for dessert. After our prayers, we visited with a team mate of Satoshi's from his little league days.
January 2nd...my BIL came over and took us to visit Satoshi's grandma at the home she is in. She has her good days and bad days, luckily we caught her on a good day. Though she didn't remember any of our names, it was nice to see her. We all couldn't believe that she will be 101 this year. We were thankful that she isn't on medication and despite her legs, is in pretty good health.
For lunch, my MIL took us to a restaurant in her neighborhood, Sara. They were having a prix fixe menu.
This restaurant looks rather new and they use a lot of fresh and local ingredients, mainly Kyoto veggies. Kyo-yasai, as it is called are mostly organic. It is sort of a brand name for Kyoto, but the quality of the vegetables are quite high and you can find them in most department stores.
For 6000 yen (about U$60) per person, there was a long dish filled with different appetizers. A spicy soup made with miso and karashi (Japanese mustard) and ebi imo (Kyoto dasheen). A plate of sashimi (tai (sea bream), toro (fatty tuna), ika (squid)).
Sekihan steamed with unagi, takenoko (bamboo shoot) and Kyoto tsukemono. Tempura--renkon sandwiching crab, eggplant and green pepper. A chawan mushi (savory custard) filled with yuri-ne (lily bulb) and hamaguri (clam) topped with nanohana (canola blossoms) and grated ginger. Buri (yellowtail) grilled with a teriyaki sauce and some kuromame (sweet black beans)
Kamo dango (duck dumpling) with Kyo-yasai (Kyoto veggies). There was also some o-sumashi (clear broth), rice and tsukemono (pickles). Dessert was a coconut pudding, a slice of melon and pear.
It was a great couple of days, lots of food, lots of family, lots of chatting. Hope you have a great week.
Sara
9 Hatsune-cho, Koyama
Kita-ku, Kyoto
Phone: 075.496.1155
Closed on Mondays
Lunch from 12:00-14:00 (last order at 13:30)
Dinner from 17:30-21:00 (last order at 20:00)
