Out with Old Friends

I went out with Kevin and Roger the other night. Haven't seen Roger probably from college, and haven't seen Kevin in over 3 years. Was good to catch up with old friends. Here is us getting totally plastered! Don't ask me why she's wearing a helmet. Had something to do with after drink activities of some sort.

New Years Eve

This year, New Years eve was at Toshi's again. We put together a Prime-rib dinner with all the fixins... Cream corn, spinach, is this Laurey's? Noooo Even better!

Dinner at Norio and Ayako's

Takashi and Kenji's kids....

Taka and Chika

Its almost New Years so Norio and Ayako hosted a pre-new years party at their place. Was able to catch up with old friends and make some new ones.

Kickin it at Toshi's

Arrived in to LA and after some grub and drinks, I headed over to Toshi's place to chill and hang out with Phil who was in town from SF and Asami who flew in from Tokyo as well. Eric and Nate and Chie were there as well.

Dinner with an old friend

I met up with an old friend that I met in LA. Saori moved back to Japan a few years back, but because she lives in Shizuoka, we haven't had to chance to meet up since she's been back so we decided to meet up for some dinner and drinks this weekend. Since she needed to take the bullet train back home we decided to meet up in Shinagawa. Turns out Japan is in Christmas mode at this time and the entire area was lit up and decorated like Christmas. Bunch of couples holdin hands and walkin around...felt awkward..

Poker

We have a regular Poker game on Sundays at the Tokyo American Club (best hamburgers in Tokyo, you don't know how difficult it is to find a good burger in Japan). Its a game amongst friends and we play basically to shoot the shit and chill. http://www.tokyoamericanclub.org/

Grubbin

I went to eat at this restaurant called Morimoto. Its a short walk from Roppongi Hills I've never been there so it was nice to check out a new restaurant. The Toro tartar was awesome! They also had an item called Hibachi-Cauda. I often make Bauna Cauda at home which is a Anchove/Garlic dip for veggies and bread. So I was curious to see what the Hibachi (firepot) was for. Turn out its to keep the dip warm without letting it boil. Great technique, cuz normally you use candles or a fondue pot which over boils the dip to the point where the olive-oil rises to the top.

Yoshida's Wedding

I attended a friends wedding in Meguro at a place called GA JOEN. Giant wedding stadium by Japan standards. Couldn't believe a place so huge actually exists in Japan. Later I found out my friend's company owns it. Bought it after the bubble burt in Japan and guess they made a bundle off of it by now.


http://www.megurogajoen.co.jp/index.php

High School friends visit Tokyo

Several friends from high school that I haven't seen in ages came to visit Tokyo, so we went out for dinner in Ebisu.

Sumito's Wedding

It was Sumito's wedding in Fuji. Never been to Fuji-city so it was kinda cool. You can actually see Mt. Fuji from almost anywhere, duhh.....