à la campagne

I love Fruit Tarts.

à la campagne in select department stores

is one of my favorite take-home tart shops in Japan.

Just can't resist...

Tokyo Derby

Went to my first Horse Race on June 1st

Tokyo Derby at the Tokyo Race Tracks. HUGE.

Apparently 120,000 people came.

It was actually very entertaining. Lots of kids too.

AW Kitchen

Lunch at Pasta House AW Kitchen figlia in Aoyama.

They were having a "Tomato Fest" for the summer.

This place met all of my expectations and more.

(NOTE: the dishes were separated into 3 servings)

Exterior.

Interior.

Tomato sauce.

Baby Corn Gnocchi.

Asparagus Carbonara.

(that creamy foam was fantastic)

Chilled Shrimp Pasta with Ikura.

Fruits and Tomato compote with Yogurt Sorbet.

Tomato Brownie with Tomato Sorbet.

Back

Back from Japan

More updates to follow...

Countdown

'til my Japan trip has begun.

Sunday Lunch

Mentaiko Pasta with Squid.

Delicious and SO easy to make.

Freshly Baked

Onion Cheese Bread.

Hand made by my super mom.

Old Vine Cafe

Finally got to try Old Vine Cafe for dinner.

Its a nice restaurant with a cozy atmosphere,

friendly waiters and great food & wine!

Caprese of Mozarella Buratta.

BEST Mozarella I've had. Ever.

Worth the trip just for this!

Crispy Blue Salad.
Good, but a bit too "fried" for a salad.

Sauteed Sea Scallops.

Perfect.

Handmade Fettuccini Pomodoro.

Pasta was good (handmade daily)
but the sauce was a bit plain...

Spanish-style Creme Brulee.

Santa Monica

Happy Mother's Day!

Kodomo no Hi

In Japan, May 5th is "Kodomo no Hi" (Children's Day).

My mom made salmon nigiri. Fabulous.

Buddies

Zion's friend, Xabi.

Super Natural Cooking

Current Read:

Super Natural Cooking

By Heidi Swanson

Cafe Blanc

Teatime at Cafe Blanc.

I ordered a Double Chocolate Mousse.

Tried their Macaron... didn't meet my expectations.

Wink

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Today was my childhood friend & fellow blogger, Lina's birthday.

Her friend sent her an edible arrangement

of chocolate covered strawberries,

which I got to eat! Yum!

Happy Birthday!!

Belle Rose

Roses are in full-bloom in our garden.

I love the scent of roses.

Looks lovely too.

Sushi Mimi

To satisfy my Uni (Sea Urchin) craving,

I went to Sushi Mimi for their Kaisen Don.

They have very generous Uni portions.

Debut

Zion made his debut at a local dog park.

Curious.

The Dog Park was really nice.

Smile!

Exhausted.

Sunset