Good Taste is the Worst Vice

Origami dish

I've been folding origami lately, as a sort of Zen activity. It's something I used to enjoy as a child - my favorite has always been the classic crane. Lately I've mastered a slightly fancier crane with a pleated tail and a dog that "barks". The most useful origami I've learned is this simple, ... continue reading...


Pineapple and Pearls, Washington DC

Another memory of a past meal, as we continue through this difficult time... I'd wanted to go to Pineapple and Pearls for years, but we never managed to squeeze it into one of our DC trips until last fall. D and I got dressed up and headed past Capitol Hill to an unassuming narrow townhouse, ... continue reading...


The Peninsula Tokyo

Armchair travels continue... The Peninsula Tokyo may not be the newest or most luxurious hotel in Tokyo (or the most cost-conscious), but it's my favorite place to start a trip to Japan. Perhaps most important is the location - so convenient. The Imperial Palace grounds are just across ... continue reading...


Stay-at-home chocolate cake

Some days (most days), I just need cake. Especially chocolate cake! But currently, going out to buy a piece or two is off the table, as is popping out to the store to pick up those few missing ingredients. So I've been making this really easy cake that uses only simple pantry basics. It's ... continue reading...


Les Sources de Caudalie, Bordeaux

I certainly never imagined that 2020 would begin as it has - with restaurants closed, travel shut down, and everyone staying home as much as possible. As we all wait and hope, I'm writing about some travel memories that I haven't yet shared... Les Sources de Caudalie is the kind of place one ... continue reading...


Around Kyoto

Despite the fact that the top tourist sites in Kyoto tend to be quite crowded, there are still lots of quieter spots to explore. After all, there are over 1600 temples alone! During our stay near Arashiyama, we had lunch with a view at a soba restaurant called Yoshimura. You don't need ... continue reading...


Revisiting 3 favorites in Japan

Gen Yamamoto, Den, and Tempura Matsu: On every future trip to Japan, these three spots will be at the top of our list! Not only because of the wonderful food and drinks, but because the passion and personalities of the people involved make them such memorable experiences. *** Gen ... continue reading...


Making wagashi

I've always loved eating wagashi, the lovely Japanese confections of sweetened bean paste shaped like flowers, plants, and all manner of seasonal motifs. On a prior trip we even watched them being made before enjoying them with some matcha. Now it was our turn to make wagashi! I found a ... continue reading...


Luca Fantin and Amoroso, Tokyo

This is a tale of two Italian restaurants in Tokyo.  On one hand - Luca Fantin, in the glittering Ginza district, on the ninth floor of the Bulgari store.  And on the other - Amoroso, a neighborhood restaurant with just a dozen seats, run by one man who is not only the chef, but also the sommelier, ... continue reading...