Katsu

JJ and I took BJ out for his birthday dinner and we went to one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants in Chicago, Katsu.


You know it's authentic when the sushi chefs are Japanese, the waiters are Japanese, and even the patrons are Japanese!

We had some of the freshest sashimi ever... flown in from Japan! Some of the fish we had were reminiscent of the type and quality we had at Morimoto.


This clam appetizer, also flown in, was also amazing!


This was the first time I've seen gold leaf on sushi!


High quality fish and excellent service. Highly recommended!

Pizza D.O.C.

No surprise that our first post of the new year is about food... really.
Now that we have a car (yes, a car!), we can go exploring at cheaper and better food places in the Chicago area.

Our first stop... Pizza D.O.C. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata)... the pizza really impressed me and the pasta was decent as well. Olive oil + parmesan cheese is a winning combination! Service was also excellent; they even gave us extra parmesan to go (although, at 3pm, why wouldn't it be?).

Holidays

This holiday, JJ decided to stay in Chicago to relax on our new couch while I went to Toronto to hang out with family and friends.

Over the 10 days I was home, I...

... watched Tiffany throw her awesome annual Christmas food party (thanks Tiff!) with strong jello shots courtesy of Jim.
(Donna: "Is that strawberry or cherry?"
Tiffany: "It's vodka.")


... ate home-cooked food!!!!!


... went to Elora Gorge with my parents for some beautiful winter scenery.


... celebrated Justin's 26th on the 26th at Panorama!


... ice-skated at Harbourfront Centre for the first time.


... demolished crepe and waffle desserts at Demetre's.


... drank bubbletea in the middle of the afternoon.


... shared some Kamasutra Indian food with N4 rez friends that I haven't seen in a while!


... and had some dim sum!


A great relaxing time was had by all!

For more Toronto pictures, click on the album below:

Hanging out with Friends in Toronto

Last home cooking series of 2007!

Pork rolls that turned a little dry...


Hoisin, lime sauce with Sambal chicken (recipe from Simply Ming)


Curry-ginger chicken with zucchini (recipe from Simply Ming)


Curry-ginger beef and leeks (recipe from Simply Ming


Pork chops with peppers and capers (recipe from Molto Italiano)


Mom's potato salad


Proscuitto-wrapped asparagus


Oven-roasted carrots and potatoes

Fruit Flowers

Sue and Mark,

Thanks for the awesome fruit flowers!


:)

US Thanksgiving Weekend

JJ and I like to use our US Thanksgiving to make a snowboarding trip to Colorado and have dinner with Young and his family. This year, we decided to take it easy so we didn't book anything in the mountains and just stayed over at Young's. JJ got to play with Hannah and Saera and we also went shopping at Castle Rock (our favourite outlet mall!).

We did make it up to Keystone one day but conditions were icy and there was no new snow. It was also extremely cold. Not exactly good conditions for pictures so none will be posted here this time.

Every time we go to Denver, we've never actually been through downtown Denver. So this time, I insisted. We managed to visit the Capital Building and walked through a bit of downtown. The art museum seemed to be popular that day but everything else seemed a little dead. No matter, I have proof that I've been in the mile-high city at last! :)

Birthday at Arun's

For my birthday, JJ rented the Zipcar BMW and took me out for a meal at Arun's.


A lot of the dishes incorporated Thai flavours that we know and love in ways we've never eaten them before. Like this appetizer (1 of 6) that you eat in one bite: salad of fresh betel nut leaf with bits of ginger, shallot, lime, peanuts, and toasted coconut flakes.


A few of the dishes were more familiar but presented stunningly - everything from carved carrots to funky colour soup-looking liquid. You can see all the work that went into the presentation of the dishes and it was a treat for the eyes!
My favourite appetizer was this egg noodle wrapped prawn in sweet pea sauce... amazing!


Arun's signature item is the carved nemo... as part of 1 of the 4 entrees served family style.


We ended the night with a drive in the BMW down Lakeshore Drive and a slice of tiramisu courtesy of my parents. Thanks for the cake!