Hironoya ひろの屋

Hironoya is a gem of a Japanese restaurant. Unfortunately, as of this writing it is closed until they can find a new location. We all hope that it will be sooner rather than later.

It may seem silly to write about a restaurant that is on a hiatus. I am writing about this because there aren't many restaurants like this. I'm not just talking about the food. It's a major part of it yes, but this restaurant has the intangible qualities that not many can have.

Hironoya

Tomales Bay Oysters Update

I previously had a post about eating farm fresh oysters at Tomales Bay Oyster Company in Marshall, CA.

Unfortunately they have since had to close their picnicking area this is due to a use permit that was issued to them in 1987. We were able to go on the weekend prior to their October 11, 2015 closure. They have since reopened with limited hours for wholesale retail only.

Oyster noms

Guadalajara, Mexico - A New Dot on my Travel Map

B and I went to Guadaljara, Mexico about a month ago. To be completely honest, we were initially apprehensive to go. We were worried about our safety due to all of the drug wars going on. In the end we were surprised at how much fun we had and the genuine hospitality of the Mexican people. The only regret would have been to not go.

Of course it does help that we had locals to bring us around. I hope that they will visit us in the US again soon so that we may return some of the hospitality.

Mi casa es su casa

Tomales Bay Oyster Company: A Guide to Gluttony

Do you like raw oysters?  If so this is the blog post for you.

About one hour drive north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate is Tomales Bay. It is a narrow inlet of the Pacific Ocean which makes it the perfect place to have an oyster farm. Farm fresh oysters are unlike anything that you can get at a restaurant. The taste is way better and I can eat these non-stop. I'm not even that big of an oyster fan!

Tomales Bay Oyster Company beach

Eating in Hong Kong

 I have been to Hong Kong many times to visit family. Each time I go it is a marathon of eating delicious foods. The city is a smorgasbord of food. It is impossible to list everything that you can eat because Hong Kong is such an international city. Here is a compilation of my favorites that I try to go to every time.

Zooming down Babington Path

Flying on United's First 787-9 [N38950]

There's flying for the destination and then there's flying for the sake of flying. It wasn't like this was a mileage run either. I have enough flights booked to regain my status for next year. This trip really was just for flying on United's new 787-9. Crazy? Only if you don't like airplanes.

Rhapsody in Blue please!

NH6 NRT-LAX The Second ANA First Square (JA732A)

This was a hard post to write because it meant reliving the sadness of a vacation coming to an end.
Yes we were flying on ANA Square again, but we really had a hard time leaving Tokyo. I've been to Japan about seven times now and I have so much fun each time. This time was no different. We got to go to new places and make some amazing new friends which made it especially hard to leave.

We got to the gate and saw a massive crowd. Boarding had not started yet. If you may recall my NH5 experience, we were literally the last to board. I was actually quite interested to see what being the first to board would be like this time.

Gate 57 Just Prior to Boarding

Seven Nights at the Conrad Tokyo

This is part 3 of the Tokyo, Japan trip report. For the other parts, please follow the links below.

Ch 1: LAX First Class/Business Class Star Alliance Lounge
Ch 2: NH5 LAX-NRT The ANA First Square Experience
Ch 3: Seven Nights at the Conrad Tokyo
Ch 4: NRT ANA Suite Lounge Satellite 5
Ch 5: NH6 NRT-LAX The Second ANA First Square (JA732A)

After passing through customs and immigration at NRT we purchased Airport Limousine tickets to the Conrad Tokyo in the Shiodome district. If you aren't familiar with the Airport Limousine it is actually a long distance bus. It takes you directly from the airport terminal curb to the door of whatever hotel you select as your destination. At 3,000 yen per person one way it is the most expensive way to get in to Tokyo from Narita but you don't have to lug your suitcases and it is door-to-door. The staff are really gentle with your suitcases. (No tipping in Japan!)

Glorious Japanese vending machines

I had previously become enamored with the Conrad brand at the Conrad New York so I was really looking forward to an extended stay at the Conrad Tokyo.

NH5 LAX-NRT The First ANA First Square Experience

This is part 2 of a Tokyo trip report. For other parts please follow the links...

Ch 1: LAX First Class/Business Class Star Alliance Lounge
Ch 2: NH5 LAX-NRT The First ANA First Square Experience
Ch 3: Seven Nights at the Conrad Tokyo
Ch 4: NRT ANA Suite Lounge Satellite 5
Ch 5: NH6 NRT-LAX The Second ANA First Square (JA732A)

Now let's continue on to the F cabin behind the curtain...

First Class ONLY!

Chinese Style Alaskan King Crab

I recently went on a trip to SFO to visit family. The last time I was up there was in January so everyone was pretty excited that I was coming. My family decided to go out for a special dinner of Alaskan king crab at ABC Seafood Restaurant. The crab is only available a few weeks out of the year so my relatives get pretty excited whenever it is available.

Perhaps the most common way people think of eating Alaskan king crab is to steam it and just have at the legs. The Chinese style of eating it involves three ways of eating one crab. Nothing goes to waste and the entire crab is eaten when the meal is done.

The crab is presented live at your table. If you accept it they will take it away back in to the kitchen to be prepared for your dinner.

10 lb Alaskan king crab