It may be the low tech version, but I’m very happy to be back to fresh ground beans, strong espresso, topped with a bit of “frothed” milk in the morning (hand-whipped, by moi). Japan followed by England with their tea cultures and ubiquitous instant coffee has made me appreciate this morning ritual soooo much more.
Continuing on the trend of international foods in Tokyo, we headed back to Cafe Blue last night to sample more than their wines (though we had plenty of those too). The Nagano prosciutto had been in my head since I saw it on the menu a few night ago, so we started with that and a Pinot Gris from the Nagano area. The prosciutto was a tad tougher in the meaty areas than its Italian cousin, but man was it ever full of flavor, and the fat just disintegrated immediately upon hitting your mouth. Next up was anchovy deep fried potatoes, which were actually fries with flakes of anchovy. This went amazingly well with the Yoichi rose from the Hokkaido region, which almost had a hint of effervescence. Perfect with the fried food, given its slight sweetness. Next we shared the hand kneaded pasta of the day, a parpardelle with a traditional pork and beef ragu. The ragu ingredients were chopped a bit rougher than traditionally, but again the flavors were spot on. I didn’t know the region my Cabernet came from, and thus I’ve already forgotten, so this is on the list to look up when I get home. The nose had an almost cigarette-y tobacco smell, which was odd, but upon drinking the flavors gave way to the earthy yet subtle fruit flavor one would expect from a cab. The last plate we shared was a tankagyu beef, which was served with a wine reduction, shishito peppers, potatoes, and a bit of okra. While I had planned to continue with my cab, at the last moment my curiosity got the better of me and I ordered a Dry Creek zinfandel, Dashe. Ooooh, it tastes like home. Big, jammy flavors, a fruit bomb that most California zins are. Stick a fork in me, I’m done. Now to hike back to the train station so I can roll into bed.
And we finally found a slice of Americana here in Tokyo. Chili cheeseburger for me, bacon burger for Raju. A San Diego micro brew, Tribe Called Quest, the War, Waylon Jennings, and Bruce Springsteen on the radio, and art of the American South on the walls. In a place named after a Jewish grandmother, Bubby’s. Hit the spot.
When I think wine, and I think Japan, the two don’t necessarily go together in my head. Of course, there’s plum wine and sake, but this trip I’ve been able to sample some really nice wines made in a European style. The first was Villange de Bessho, from the area of Nagano we were staying in, Bessho Onsen. This red wine was made in a traditional Bordeaux style (or, at least, that’s what it tasted like) and was served rather cold. The chill of the wine killed the flavors on the front end of tasting, but on the back you definitely began to get the full experience of the some. As it warmed up it just got better and better. The second wine I discovered in a wine bar in Tokyo. It too was from Nagano, this time a chardonnay, but I’ll have to do a bit more digging to learn the name. Interesting, this wine smelled very sweet, but came away with a slightly tart flavor upon drinking. If I happen upon another chance to visit Japan, I think a wine tour of the Nagano region is in high order.
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