Sushi Azabu

This is why I love Sushi Azabu. Andrew and I wanted to compare the taste of sea urchin (uni, ウニ), from different regions, so we ordered some Santa Barbara uni and some Hokkaido uni. When our order came out, the chef had added Kyushu uni to the plate for us to try!!!! Uni Three Ways - and the battle between California, Northern Japan, and Southern Japan was ON!!!! The Kyushu uni was by far the best - sweet, light, and creamy at the same time, with lots of umami and minimal brininess. I want to go to the southwestern tip of Japan to eat this thing fresh! I'm never going back to Santa Barbara uni unless I'm desperate. Addendum: I went back with my foodie friend Brian Lam to try this same dish again- and he also raved ecstatic re: the unparalleled superiority of Kyushu uni. Yes! Corroborated! Pictured below from left to right: Kyushu uni (OMFG), Hokkaido uni, Santa Barbara uni.

Bouley

Bouley is the home away from home of my foodie friends, Christine and Brian. This foie-gras soup was the first course of a four-hour long, seven-course brunch extravaganza that I had with my friends Christine and Ingrid. I was so blown away by the food that I forgot to take photos of the courses that followed this soup. Oops. Guess I'll just have to go back! p.s. Bouley is currently offering a fantastic lunch deal - $36 for a five-course meal at a Michelin-star restaurant.