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Cooking Across 4 Generations

Using recipes collected from 4 generations of one family

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March 2013

Brick, Tokyo

One of our regular places to go in Tokyo is a whisky bar called Brick. We stumbled across Brick during our first visit in 2008 and each time we have been since we head there for a whisky.

Brick during daylight hours
Brick during daylight hours

Brick is located a couple of lane ways off Ginza’s main street of Chuo Dori. Easiest directions are on Chuo Dori turn left at Shiseido at Ginza 7 Chome(Mont Blanc shop is diagonally opposite), walk down to Pronto restaurant and turn left again and it is a couple of shops down on the right. We always get lost the first night we try to go there, but never fear there is plenty to look at if you do get lost.

Here in Australia we have “no smoking” laws in enclosed places, Tokyo does not. While neither R or I smoke, we do enjoy the fact that cigar and cigarette smoke goes so well with a whisky. For this reason alone we are willing to put up with second hand smoke. Plus the smokiness adds to the ambience.

The decor at Brick is exposed brickwork, wood paneling and leather. Seating is at the bar or the kidney shaped table. The low lighting level gives a warm, cosy, intimate feel even when the room is busy.

Decor at Brick
Decor at Brick

A wood paneled bar stretches the 6 metre length of one wall, with three quarters of the length of the bar display solely dedicated to whisky. Who knew there were so many, and probably many more that aren’t used at Brick. Fortunately the whisky list is in English and has Scottish, Irish and Japanese whiskies along with around 15 bourbons from the USA. There is also the standard collection of spirits and a short but good selection of wine.

Some of the whisky selection at Brick
Some of the whisky selection at Brick
The bar at Brick
The bar at Brick

A small menu also helps for those wanting a little something to nibble on.

There is another level upstairs where they occasionally have live music. If you are in to whisky/whiskey or just want somewhere ‘cool’ to have a drink, Brick is a good starting point.

I have included a Google map in links to help you find your way to Brick. Unfortunately no yellow ‘Brick” road to help you get there.

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TY by Tateru Yoshino, Park Hotel, Shiodome, Tokyo

When we visit Tokyo our hotel of choice is the Park Hotel in Shiodome. Located a short walk from Ginza, the Shiodome area has easy access to transport, so handy in fact that last year, for the first time ever, we took the train from Narita Airport to Shimbashi station and walked to the hotel. The Park Hotel is located in the Shiodome Media Tower, on floors 25 to 34. The rest of the tower is occupied by Kyodo News. I really like the way the Japanese combine a hotel with businesses in their towers. The Park Hyatt is the same, offices on the lower floors and the hotel on the upper floors.

Shiodome Media Tower/Park Hotel
Shiodome Media Tower/Park Hotel

We usually book a room that looks out to Tokyo Tower(city view room) which when there is clear weather also includes majestic Fuji-san in the distance.

Early morning beauty shot. Tokyo Tower and Fuji-san
Early morning beauty shot. Tokyo Tower and Fuji-san
Tokyo Tower by night
Tokyo Tower by night

We have never eaten in the hotel restaurant, usually because we are out so much taking in all that Tokyo has to offer. Last year we decided to finally give it a try.

This person is known not to have an aversion to champagne
This person is known not to have an aversion to champagne

TY by Tateru Yoshino is located on the 25th floor of the Park Hotel (Lobby floor). With panoramic views out over Tokyo and Tokyo Tower, it is an intimate, elegant and refined setting, white cloths, crystal, silver and dark woods. The room is a not overly large so there is no loud noise to compete with. Presenting a degustation menu where customers can choose some of their dishes is a great option, and means that you can have something different to your partner.

Amuse bouche of mackerel and petit flowers
Amuse bouche of mackerel and petit flowers
Amuse bouche and the freshly baked bread
Amuse bouche and the freshly baked bread
Mushroom soup
Mushroom soup
Scallop and prawn with a shellfish foam
Scallop and prawn with a shellfish foam

A specialty of the house is the Assorted Seasonal Vegetables Presented in the Image of Monet. A delightful plate of baby vegetables, flowers and herbs with a light dressing.

Monet's Garden
Monet’s Garden

The first few courses we had were the same, mains however R had a beautiful slow cooked beef, while I had duck breast.

Slow cooked beef, caramelised onion,
Slow cooked beef, caramelised onion,
Roasted duck, wild mushrooms
Roasted duck, wild mushrooms

Before dessert we decided to have the optional cheese course. The waiter wheeled out a trolley with around 10 cheeses on it. We selected 3 which was enough for us.

Selection of cheese
Selection of cheese

Dessert was 5 flavours of chocolate. I nust remember to write things down, but there was cinnamon, coffee and well I guess I need to have pen and paper in future. Very delicious.

Five flavours of chocolate
Five flavours of chocolate

Deciding to have a coffee we were greatly impressed with the selection of mignardises (petit fours) that was wheeled out. I think there were about 20 things to chhose from. Some fruit jellies, cannelles, churros, madeleines, coated nuts, and so many more.

Petit fours
Mignardises

R had a wonderful birthday dinner and we chose some great French wines to go with the meal.

TY by Tateru Yoshino was awarded one Michelin star for 2013.  Tateru Yoshino has another 2 restaurants in Tokyo (Ginza and Shiba) and he also chef/patron of the Michelin starred Stella Maris in Paris.

If you are in Tokyo I would recommend a visit to TY Tateru Yoshino in the Park Hotel.

 

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Around the World Part 3 – Zurich

Leaving London behind we flew across the channel to Switzerland and our next port of call Zurich.

Coming in to Zurich
Coming in to Zurich

We stayed at the Swissotel, located at Oerlikon, just out of the city centre, a short tram ride was all it took to get to the city centre. A 24 hour pass for trains, buses and trams was around A$10 a person, it also allowed us to take some of the river taxis if we had felt like it. The Swissotel has an amazing pool located on the top floor giving panoramic views of Zurich and the country side around it, right out to the alps in the distance.

The breakfast buffet in the Swissotel is very extensive and a great range of food for all tastes is available. I counted 18 bread and bakery items, unfortunately that is too much for me to work my way through. There is also a vibrant bar and restaurant in the Swissotel, which we unfortunatley didn’t have a chance to try out, next time.

Twice a week the square behind the Swissotel becomes a fruit, vegetable and flower market, with some stalls also offering preserves made from their own produce. I wish I had taken my camera down as there were varieties that we don’t see here in Australia. It would also have been nice to have been able to have cooked with some of the offerings. Also handy was a supermarket where you could get some groceries and incredibly cheap mineral water. San Pellegrino 1litre for about A$1.05, back here it costs just over A$3.

Zurich City has a population of 400,00 within the city and 1.83 million in the whole canton(state). Which makes it a nice size to get around. After catching the tram in we just walked. So many beautiful old buildings with interesting architectural details. I really loved looking at the roof detailing on the buildings, so much more interesting than the triangle shape we mainly have in Australia. Lots of little streets to wander and explore. So many small jewellery makers located around town which was great to see. Craft skills seemed to be taken more seriously in Switzerland, whether it be jewellery making, lace making etc.

Lane way Zurich
Lane way Zurich
Limmat Quai
Limmat Quai

We ate in the old town area several times. On two occasions having fondue at Adler’s Swiss Chuchi and also dined in a Bierhalle. While R tried some local beers I worked my way through the local white wines. A shame we have trouble sourcing Swiss wines here in Australia as they were very good. Down by Quaibrucke is a stand selling some great hotdogs and wurstli, just perfect for a quick lunch. Should you need chocolate there is no shortage of stores and cafes.

Inside our favourite bierehalle
Inside our favourite bierehalle
Worked my way through most of the whites
Worked my way through most of the whites

Wandering the cobblestone streets, walking beside the river and lake was a really enjoyable experience. No-one seemed to be rushing and everyone was polite.

Street in Zurich
Street in Zurich
River side
River side
Across the lake to the Alps
Across the lake to the Alps

Sitting having a cocktail in a square in the old town was a nice way to relax.

Cocktails to wind down after a big day exploring
Cocktails to wind down after a big day exploring

We also got to see a Youth Marching Band festival and a watersports festival which seemed to consist of teams on boats jousting. Obviously the winner was the one who didn’t get knocked in the river.

Solothurn Jugendmusik.
Solothurn Jugendmusik.
Water jousting
Water jousting
Water jousting
Water jousting

While Zurich has a long history there is plenty of new construction happening. But the real joy is exploring the old buildings and churches.

Looking up river with Grossmunster on the left
Looking up river with Grossmunster on the left
New construction going in
New construction going in
Grossmunster
Grossmunster
The steeple of Fraumunster
The steeple of Fraumunster

 

The steeple of St Peter Church.
The steeple of St Peter Church.
Grossmunster
Grossmunster

We had a great time in Zurich and I look forward to heading there again in the future.

As they say in Zurich Vielen Dank for stopping by!


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