Excellent Gewurztraminer

I have tried many Gewurztraminer from various countries.  Is it the first impression thing that I somehow feels NZ one is better than any other, because my first encounter of Gewurz was there?  The very first one I and my wife tried was lychee note dominating and we just fell in love with it.  Since then we have an unique attachment for NZ Gewurztraminer.

We bought this one when we visited NZ in last March.  Another wonderful taste hit us!!  We had this when we had “Little World Party” with friends.  The idea was to wear national or ethnic costume you like and bring a dish or two of that native.  Well, the Gewurztraminer can embrace any flavor and adds extra joy on the table.  I won’t describe its detail but you can refer to the link below for more info:

The Bouldervines Estate Vineyard;  Marlborough, New Zealand

http://www.bouldevineswine.co.nz/viewWine.asp?WineID=Gewurztraminer

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Music of the night:  noon (jazz singer covers standard, bossa nova and pops)

drum sound is close to mute and guitar and piano plays quietly in background.  Her voice is Green!!

release 2003

Tags: Bossa Nova, Gewurztraminer, Jazz, Music, New Zealand, noon, Wine

BEEFEATER Gin

I was 17 when I seriously tried Gin and it happened to be BEEFEATER.  I just love the label of it and that’s why I bought it.  Being an armature of Gin, I didn’t know any other kind either.  Anyway, it was a extremely hot night in my room in Bangkok.  I was studying for the exam next day and I had to boost up my motivation and mood.  So young and stupid simply grabbed a bottle of BEEFEATER and chilled Tonic Waters I kept for this moment.

You know, I was not sure how much to be poured into a glass and how fast I should enjoy it.  They said Gin&Tonic is casual and easy drink to cool down the heat body.  Man, I had it like drinking coke, sip after sip with very high pitch.  Before I knew it, I was knocked out on my bed seeing circling ceiling.  By this time, tomorrow’s exam was out of my mind but only to catch up where I am.

How long I was out… I do not remember.  Next thing I did was run into bathroom to relieve my upset.  It was my very first time to experience drinks go against the gravity.  For a while, I couldn’t take the smell of Gin but after a few years it has become MUST item in life.

Since that incident, I kept out of  BEEFEATER but out of blue I just grabbed it at liquor shop the other day to prepare for the cocktail party my wife set.  I should tell about others Gins I enjoyed till now, next time.

Classic Label when I was young

Label today, I prefer this. Simple but artistic.

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My favorite music back then was: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Sad thing about them is that whenever they came up with the great masterpiece, the Beatles release No.1 hit song and they just fell into 2nd in the charts.  If the fabs were not in their time, they would have left wonderful record in the billboard history.

Anyway, it’s not about charts.  It’s about Music.

Tags: Beatles, Beefeater, CCR, Cocktail, Gin, Jazz, Music

Another Premium Beer – Original YEBISU

A friend of mine received a summer bonus and bought me the Beers!! YEBISU!!       She knows that I love YEBISU ‘coz I often told her “No Premium, ain’t No Beer”.  So she was kind and innocent enough to believe my rubbish.

My wife made steam Shao Mai with her own recipe.  They were sooo juicy.  First time she tried though.

Even though I am on diet, I just could Not resist temptations.

In a hot and muggy evening, what music would at least make you forget the annoying weather?  Well, I chose Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass !

released in 1965

Tags: Beer, Chinese Food, Cuisine, Herb Alpert, Jazz, Premium Beer, The Tijuana Brass, YEBISU

Mister Donut – abbr. as misdo

Once in a while, I like to have my breakfast at Mister Donut.  I am not sure the shop originates from USA or Japan but photos they hang on the shop wall are all foreigners.

Mr. Donut is the most successful shop in Japan.  I have not seen Dunkin Donuts in Japan yet.  I have tried Dunkin Donuts in Malaysia a few times and it was nothing but oil leaking bun.  So no wonder some of my friends from oversea enjoy Mister Donut.

Funny and interesting culture of Japan is that they like to shorten words, like Mister Donut for misudo.  Most of the time, long names with vowels get shortened into  3 to 4 letters.  For example, Starbucks as Staba,　Abercrombie & Fitch as abacro.  Those successfully shortened brand will surely survive in Japan Market as far as I know.  If you know any other formula, let me know.

Anyway, misdo Japan always has good BGM; most of the time 60′s music.

Tags: Cafe, Cuisine, Donuts, Music, Oldies

friend indeed is friend in deed

My friend got a job as a freshman, working at hospital doing rehab.  Well, he suffered enough to get this qualification.  So my wife and I were so happy to see him getting this job.  He was one of our regular visitors to our home and we had countless good times with wine and food while he was a poor student.  Of course, he deserves it, being our friend.

One day, he called us up and said to avail ourselves on one Saturday evening.  He was so generous to treat us with his very first salary while he is the one to be congratulated for his new carrier.

Great was food! TSUKUNE – Chicken Meat Ball.  The chicken is originally from France but farmed in Kyushu.  Only 50g portion of chicken is used for this TSUKUNE to make it especially juicy.  Yeah, kinda luxurious cuisine, indeed.  Beauty of this TSUKUNE is: outside is crispy by char grill but the meat juice is locked inside.  So when you bite it, its broth comes out!!  They come with 20 over different seasonings and tastes.

We picked Sake tonight. Junmai-Sake with lees  “Hayaseura” Since it is non-sterilized Sake, live yeast makes it white as it is stirred. Toji (Sake Maker) said, “imagine the view of  Japan Sea from Wakasa beach  in Winter as you drink it in a beautiful blue bottle with white lees”.  The first note is fresh and dry but a sip of lees would make aroma grow and bloom in the mouth.

The Music of the Night: Art Pepper / The Artistry of Pepper recorded in 1962.

He’s got the exact and sophisticated sound yet wrap up the mood in his hand.

The young fella really is our friend indeed, and he is a gentleman who turns his feelings in deed.  Thanks to him!

Tags: Art Pepper, Cuisine, Japanese Food, Jazz, Music, Sake

Tradition collaborates with Great Nature

It’s been a excruciating hot day but I had to do my routine:  jog and walk in the evening and jump-rope was added recently.  I was out for 45 min. and I felt I’m done!!  Took a cold shower but took sometime to get rid of heat inside.  My wife wanted Pasta for dinner but I insisted “I gotta go healthier side, like Grilled Dried Fish and veges.”  Well, my special diet “cabbage” was out of stock.

I would not argue how good the dried fish is but it’s been a part of basic Japanese diet in its long history.  And Japan has been being noted for the longevity.  Thus, I am sure basic diet got to do with it.

Japanese horse mackerel from Izu peninsula was grilled for dinner which in-laws brought back last week.  The quality and taste is far different from what you can get at the local supermarket.  It was just fabulous!!

No need to ask that it must be accompanied by Shochu, not Sake this time.  Yakushima “大自然林” – Great Natural Wood, made of yum and rice by wooden tools only to maintain traditional taste.  Needless to say, all done by hand, not trusting machines to get the sensitive touch on its taste.  That’s where the Takumi – 匠 comes in.  This is the limited edition from this brewery, Hombo.

Shochu is often enjoyed with water, hot-water, Oolong tea and so on.  But yum shochu taste gets the best when it’s straight or just on ice-rocks.  It’s so different from Whisky but it must be it when you enjoy traditional Japanese Cuisine.  Bit by bit, I will introduce Shochu world to ya all.

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Selections in this album was so fitting with Shochu.  The sound adds extra smile on face while I enjoy good food, drink and talks with my wife.

Riverside Jazz – keynote recordings from one of Jazz’s Greatest Labels (1953-1964).  You can name which is your favorite number.

Tags: Cuisine, Japanese, Jazz, Shochu, Tradition

My Favorite Time

I love Coffee! Not even a single day passes by without coffee, just like many others.  It is quite difficult to find Good Coffee shop in my town, Nagoya.  One of my gourmet friends introduced me his rating No.1 coffee shop.

Strong but the aroma conquers, so that only soft finish yet clear taste lingers on after sip.  Amazing quality!!

Cakes they serve is not too sweet.  If not, it can simply spoil the perfection of the coffee.  So I would say 3 stars on this small size cafe with only 9 or 10 seats.  This is my getaway place to enjoy my favorite time.  So I won’t tell anyone of this place…  Anyway, here are some of photos for you to peek through the atmosphere:

Click to enlarge!!

So far, this is my date spot with my wife.  She does not like sweets but this shop’s cake.

I remember Bossa Nova was on when I went last time.  Speakers looked handmade and the owner of the cafe looked sorta maniac.

recorded in 1963

I love this album: Take Ten by Paul Desmond  / feat. Jim Hall and Connie Key for drum.

It created a perfect sense in that cafe!!

Tags: Bossa Nova, Cafe, Cake, Coffee, Connie Kay, Jazz, Jim Hall, Nagoya, Paul Desmond