Sushi Yasuda

Address: 204 East 43rd Street, New York

http://www.sushiyasuda.com

Phone: 212-972-1001

Gan and I normally prefer to go to Tomoe Sushi near East Village for best value sushi, rather than paying big bucks at sushi places like Sushi Yasuda. But not sure what has gotten into us, when a couple of weeks ago, Gan and I just suddenly decided to eat at Sushi Yasuda. The most interesting thing was, I called around 5pm and was able to get a reservation for two the same night, and for the sushi bar seating as well! Lucky!

We sat about 3 sushi chefs away from Yasuda. But we had a good time anyway and really liked the sushi selections our sushi chef picked for us (we did Omakase). Although he (our sushi chef) didn't speak much English, we understood each other perfectly. I guess the language of food is pretty universal. He made us some of the most delectable sushi ever - small, simple, unpretentious and satisfying sushi with the freshest fish/seafood. It is not difficult to see that strict quality control is practiced at the restaurant, with Yasuda hand picking the fish and seafood himself and with every ingredient made fresh daily. Every piece of sushi served there is also a piece of art; it is best to eat the sushi without additional soy sauce or wasabi, since the sushi chef had already applied an exact amount of special soy sauce to the sushi he serves.

Of all the sushi we have tried at Sushi Yasuda, I actually love the oyster sushi the most. Not a common sushi serves at other places, but I love it. I didn't know oysters can taste so amazing as sushi. The eel sushi (there were a few varieties) was incredible and a must try. Yasuda was also trained in Japan as an Eel chef, so you probably can't get better Eel sushi in New York than this.

I guess one of the best things about being in New York is that you are able to find very good Japanese restaurants. Dining at Sushi Yasuda definitely reminded us of our dining experiences in Tokyo, without actually being there. The service at Sushi Yasuda was impeccable as well. Now I know why people love this restaurant.

The Famous Yasuda

complimentary starters

Our sushi chef

The right way to eating sushi - using index finger and thumb

Mackerel sushi - Sanma and Kibinago

Oyster sushi and Giant Clam sushi

One more Oyster sushi and Botan Shrimp sushi

Blue Fin Fatty Tuna sushi and Big Eye Fatty Tuna sushi

Sea Urchin (Uni) sushi and Sea Scallop (Hotate) sushi

Squid (ika) sushi

Kanpachi (yellowtail) sushi

Menegi sushi - the taste was a little overwhelming for me, but it is supposed to cleanse your palate

Tearific

Address: 51 Mott St, New York, NY

Phone: 212-766-9889

Yum Seng! (Tea and bubble tea version)

Gan: Since they serve it in a beer mug, we had to make a toast.

Toast with Sweet Condensed Milk

Gan: Good sweetness decadence! Amri and myself have the same idea for comfort food!

Happy Yaokuis!!

Hari Raya Bazaar 2008 @ the Consulate General of Malaysia, New York

With the current economy condition, Gan and I have decided to dine more at "recession friendly" restaurants, with only occasional splurges here and there. We have been making trips to Flushing/Queens for good cheap eats, cooking more at home and taking advantage of events such as the Hari Raya (Eid) Bazaar at the Consulate General of Malaysia to get good food at cheaper price.The Consulate General of Malaysia hosts this event as part of the Eid celebration every year and seems like the event is getting more popular since people are finding out that this is perhaps the only place/event where they can buy truly awesome home-cooked Malay food.

It wasn't our first time attending the bazaar last weekend, but it was the first time we arrived early enough to buy the food before they were sold out. The event started at 1pm, and by 3pm, the place was packed with people who were there for just one reason - food. There were nasi lemak, satay, lontong, rendang, mee rebus, mee johor, pulut hitam, kuih keria, teh tarik etc. The table that sold nasi lemak and satay were the most popular, with people were lining up for at least half and hour just to buy nasi lemak/satay.

It was definitely a fun event for us; aside from getting to taste awesome food, we also got to meet new people and hung out with friends. The bazaar is definitely an event not to be missed, so try and go there next year if you can. I just wished I have asked for the sellers' contact numbers so that I can get some home-cooked Malay food to satisfy my cravings for the next 12 months!

Mee Rebus

Lontong

Encik making satay!

all other goodies

kuih-muih (Malay cakes and desserts)

Raymond (my high school classmate, Grace's brother) with Sam, Jon, Sarah and Ray, who have tasted real Malay food for the first time. Sarah told me she loved it! :)

The girls

The guys, lol.....

Havana Alma De Cuba

Address: 94 Christopher Street, New York

http://www.havanavillagenyc.com

Phone: 212-242-3800

I have never tasted Cuban food before coming to New York, and I doubt that there are good ones (if any) in Malaysia. But I have became a big fan of the cuisine ever since I tasted it for the first time at Sophie's downtown, a very popular Cuban lunch place in Wall Street area. After that, my quest for good Cuban food had brought me to Cafe Habana, Cafecito, La Isla (Hoboken), Havana Alma de Cuba etc. Although I really like going to Havana Alma De Cuba, just because the people are really nice, the food is good and the sangria is awesome.

If you do go there, make sure you try the grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce (Churrasco Con Chimichurri) - medium rare , shrimp in creole sauce (Camarones Enchilados) and Tamal Cubano. I like to order the white wine sangria there too, although depending on who makes the drinks, your sangria might taste more like fruit juice than wine, sometimes. The restaurant has a nice dining room at the back and a cute garden seating area, an ideal place for small parties or romantic candlelit dinner with your date ;)

Tamal Cubano - Stone ground corn wrapped in corn husk

Maduros - fried sweet Plantains

Camarones Enchilados - Shrimp sauteed in a fragrant Creole sauce of tomatoes, garlic, onions, peppers, thyme and white wine

Churrasco Con Chimichurri - grilled skirt steak with traditional Chimichurri sauce and cassava

Paella Valenciana - saffron rice mixed with shrimp, scallops, mussels, monkfish, chicken and spanish chorizo

Lechon Asado Al Estilo "La Floridita" - Roasted suckling pig served with cassava, fresh mojo and served with congri

Flan de Leche - Cuban caramel custard - not too good here at Havana restaurant

Koko Black

Address: 167 Lygon Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

http://www.kokoblack.com/

Phone: 03-9349-277

I was helping my sister Alyssa check out wedding favors online when I discovered that there is no GODIVA store in Australia, at all. First thing that came to my mind was, how is that possible? Not that Godiva chocolate is the best in the world, but they have shops almost everywhere. After visited Koko Black café at Melbourne’s Lygon Street, I understood why. There is no need for a Godiva store in Australia.

Koko Black is a local gourmet chocolate boutique/cafe that started in Melbourne. The one we went in Lygon Street sells everything that were made from cocoa – chocolates, hot chocolate, ice chocolate, chocolate ice cream, chocolate liqueur....you name it. There are other chocolate stores in Australia (most of them boutiques rather than chain stores), but nothing really caught my attention. What differentiates Koko Black from others is perhaps its commitment to world-class chocolate experience – from product quality/creativity to packaging to services, they aim to be the best. Koko Black is still currently a local Melbourne store, but it will not be long before they expand and succeed in Australia and in other countries.

Alyssa and Vince (her hubby) brought us to Koko Black twice, and I was totally addicted to their delicious hot chocolate. A perfect drink for chilly evenings in Melbourne. Just wished that they would let me take pictures of its wonderfully decorated interior so that I can share it with everyone else. Anyhow, this is a must try in Melbourne if you do go there.

my cup of hot chocolate

Group portrait