freedom kitchen

Recently Freedom Kitchen moved.

They are apparently renovating the place on their own, so it is taking some time.

I was able to pick up a bento from them the other day.

The woman at the register said they will have a place to eat upstairs after their renovations are over.

I am glad they didn't move too far from their old address.

I'll be back.

Freedom Kitchen
1-16-28 Sakura
Minoo, Osaka
Phone: 072.725.0621
Hours: 11:00-17:00
Closed Sundays and some Saturdays

cubi di legno

Yesterday, we visited MIL in the morning and had lunch together. We also did a little "cleaning". Way more needs to be done, but at least she let us do the amount we did.

Dinner was at Cubi di Legno. I had eaten lunch here previously and was interested in checking out their dinner menu.

Satoshi ordered a beer...600 yen (tax included), while I ordered a "glass" of wine...900 yen (tax included).

Um, if you are going to charge THAT much for wine, I would say you need to fill my glass at least halfway...

Seasonal grilled veggies...1200 yen (tax included)

Seared katsuo (bonito) with panko (breadcrumbs) on one side, with a dollop of caponata...700 yen (tax included)

Pancetta & onion amatriciana...1600 yen (tax included)

Sawara (spanish mackerel) with broccoli, beet orecchiette...2000 yen (tax included)

During our meal, our waitress asked us if we would like some bread...little did we know that each piece was 100 yen (tax included).

While I enjoyed my lunch, this dinner, while delicious was totally overpriced.

We won't be back.

cubi di legno

Yesterday, Hiromi and I walked to Cubi di Legno, a new Italian restaurant near the Makiochi station.

They have counter seating as well as several tables.

I like how the place is brightened up with all the windows.

We both ordered the pasta lunch...1300 yen (tax included).

Lunch started off with a salad...this one had some kaki (persimmon) and roast chicken...loved this with their vinaigrette.

They also serve you house-made grissini and a cubed bread...fancy!

Hiromi chose their chicken pasta while I chose their sanma (pacific saury).

The pasta is also made in-house.

Everything is lightly seasoned, so good!

Lunch ended with coffee or espresso...Hiromi chose an iced coffee while I went with an espresso.

I wouldn't mind coming back here for dinner...I'll be back!

Cubi di Legno
1-2-7 Hyakurakuso #102
Minoo, Osaka
Phone: 072.734.8989
Closed Mondays
Lunch: 11:30-14:00, Dinner: 17:30-21:00

ému cafe

Went to check out ému cafe on Friday.

I've passed this place many times and had always wanted to have lunch here.

Their lunch service starts at 11:30, so I timed arriving at that time...the place was already packed!

I was seated at their counter.

After my order was taken I was given some chilled vichyssoise (potato soup).

Then the taco rice I ordered came out...

This had no temperature spiciness to it. Nor did it have any cheese.

Very disappointing.

When I ordered, I also asked that my drink come out at the same time as my meal.

Well, after being served, I ate my lunch, and no iced tea.

I finished eating, the waitress took my dish away and said, "I'll bring out your drink"...

and then 30 minutes later it finally came out..WT?!

Dunno that I'll be back to this place, service seems a bit off.

ému cafe
3-5-8 Makiochi
Phone: 072.796.3455
Hours: 11:30-15:00 lunch, 18:00-22:00 dinner
Closed Mondays and the last Tuesday of the month

anri

I don't think I've ever told you about Anri's sweet potato tartes.

They actually make two kinds...this purple one and a yellow one.

I prefer the purple one because of the vibrant color.

Inside of their flaky crust is a custard which is topped with a huge dollop of sweet potato paste.

Perfect for an afternoon treat.

donuts dept

The other day, I found out that Donuts Dept, moved.

From Sakurai, they moved to Makiochi. They are still in Minoo, just at a bigger place with a little more foot traffic.

Their doughnuts are still delicious and prices the same.

Here's their new address:
Donuts Dept
1-19-19 Makiochi
Minoo, Osaka
Phone: 072.720.1072

We'll be back.

makoto-ya

Most weekdays, you won't find housewives out eating ramen.

Nope, they're usually at cafés, lunching with friends or eating alone there.

Ramen shops during the weekdays are usually for the "salarymen" (business men), where they can grab a fast meal.

Well, yesterday, I was out on my morning walk, there were some flurries, and what I had envisioned having for lunch was then substituted by the craving for something warm, soupy, noodle-y...ramen.

I walked into Makoto-ya, the place was empty and the guys working the shop were kinda stunned. They didn't know quite where to seat me...okay...

After ordering, my ramen came out quite quickly and I started eating (well, after I photographed it)

The type of ramen I ordered was called "tori-jan" (shoyu based chicken broth)...590 yen.

The soup was really nice, a little hint of ginger.

I ordered my noodles on the stiffer side, I tend to take a long time eating hot foods, not wanting to burn my tongue, so the stiffer the noodle, the longer I have to eat it without it getting soft and mushy.

There was lots of hakusai (chinese cabbage) which was nice.

When I stood up to pay, I was surprised at how many seats had filled up with "men", besides the waitress, I was the only female....

It was my first time to eat by myself at a ramen place and now that I've been "initiated", the next time, I don't think I'll hesitate to go in and have a bowl.

Makoto-ya
1-8-2 Makiochi
Minoo, Osaka
Phone: 072.723.2870
Open from 11:00-24:00

sawada coffee

We've passed this coffee shop many times, but they were never open when we've passed.

We finally got a chance to try Sawada Coffee.

This tiny shop is located in a residential area near the Hankyu Makiochi station.

The guy that owns the shop roasts his own beans.

His coffee was served from a french press.

I know french press is supposed to have a richer flavor, but this coffee was a bit gritty, almost muddy.

Dunno that I would go back.

Sawada Coffee UPDATE: this shop closed at the end of 2013
5-2-45 Nishishoji
Minoo, Osaka
Phone: 072.725.2380
Closed Thursdays
Hours: 11:00-19:00

jizaian

There is a little soba shop across the street from our favorite cafe called Jizaian. Jizai means freedom, An means place. So I think this place means place of freedom. The owner also had his motto up above the counter-- "asobu, dousei jinsei wa hima tsubushi"--play because life is to kill time.

This was our first time to try this place so we didn't really know what to expect.

There was a line out front when we got there, which was always a good sign in Japan. After waiting a little while, we were able to get seats inside.

There are only 16 seats, 6 at the counter and 2 tables for 4 people and 1 table for 2. The owner prepares the dishes one by one, so be prepared to wait for your order.

Satoshi had their tempura soba. Hot broth with two pieces of fried shrimp and a fried piece of nori. The shrimp were wrapped in green shiso (perilla)--1070 yen (about US$10.70). Satoshi said he like this dish, the tempura wasn't really oily or heavy feeling.

I chose the tenzaru. Cold soba served with a side of tempura. I really enjoyed the tempura, there was corn, shrimp wrapped in shiso, fresh shiitake & shishito (Japanese green pepper). The soba was al dente, not mushy like some other places serve it--1370 yen (about US$13.70)

At the end of the meal they brought a pot of sobayu. This is the water that the soba is boiled in. You are supposed to put it into your dashi (soup) or tsuyu (dipping sauce), this is to dilute the soup/sauce so that you can drink it up. I've had bad experiences with this in the past, it has tasted like perspiration to me...blah. I had Satoshi drink it for me.

I think we'll try this place again on a weekday, when hopefully it won't be so crowded.

Jizaian
1-1-9 Sakura
Minoo, Osaka
Phone: 072.723.6800
Closed on Wednesdays
UPDATE:not sure when this place closed down, but as of October 2011, it is no longer there

lox & bread

Today, my friend gave me some smoked salmon and canned salmon that her husband caught (Thank you!!). He fishes for sport and also owns many fishing supply stores around Osaka.

Most of his stores are called "Esaichiban". I think it might mean "the No. 1 lures".

He caught the salmon in Vancouver at a place called, the Langara Fishing Lodge.

They canned and smoked it for him. Since the salmon is frozen, it will take probably a day or so to thaw out.

In the meantime, I decided to go to buy some bagels or baguette to eat our "lox" with. I went to Makiochi (2 stations away from us).

I read on a website that a favorite bread shop of mine had moved from Esaka to Makiochi recently. The name of the bread shop is "A Bientot" (I think it means "See you again!" in French). They mostly have crusty type French breads, but I really enjoy their scones and sandwiches.

(I ended up buying a bit more than I needed). The narrow bread is the baguette (it had just come out of the oven and was crackling). The bread in the foreground caught my interest, it is a campagne (farmhouse bread) with cranberries and lavender in it. The one that looks like a pizza is a fougasse (french type foccacia) with eggplant, broccoli, ham and potato and cheese on it. And a baguette sandwich with marinated chicken, mozzarella cheese, tomato and basil.

I can't wait to try the smoked salmon and am thinking to make salmon patties or tofu salad with the canned salmon.

A bientot
3-11-2 Makiochi
Minoo, Osaka
Phone: 072.725.8060
*Not sure of the days of operation, so call to make sure before you go!!