It is the day after Christmas and we went to Shibuya to take pictures of folks running through the rain. Other than eating delicious pork cutlet at Maisen, we spent the rest of the time huddled in the hotel room. Princess does not like the rain!
Have to snap pictures quick in Ginza as the background changes as fast as the fashion. The X-Mas decorations are down by 8 PM Christmas day! Here's a nice shot we took tonight.
It's not everyday I hit my head while minding my own business walking through a subway station. I feel like a giant here. People stare at me because I'm much larger than the average Tokyo Metro user!! No serious head injuries yet!
After our near 11 hour plan ride, we arrived in Tokyo today. We took the Narita Express from the airport to Shinjuku station. We then took a taxi from there to the Four Seasons Hotel. We should have taken the train to Ikebukuro because it is closer but no worries there. The hotel actually offers a meet, greet, and ride service from the train stations and the airport for first timers. We opted for the cheaper and more adventurous way! (But don't go crazy and take the subway to Edogawabashi station and walk with lots of bags because the walk is UP HILL for 10 minutes!)
Every now and then you do something for yourself that is just really nice. Checking into this hotel is one of those things! It is such a nice hotel. Our room is super nice and overlooks a 17 acre Japanese garden. The staff is exceptional, remembering my name every thing we walk around the grounds. The experience is really over the top posh.
The hotel actually brings in hot spring water from the Izu area for the very traditional Onsen. The pool area is so relaxing, with a large pool and attached huge hot tub. Although we have not been outside, there is another hot tub out there. The pool area also features dry and steam saunas.
Very much recommended!
Back in Amsterdam today. It took like 90 minutes for the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel to get my room ready. I caught up with Esby and Bean which is always fun! Turns out my room was right next to them. The room was what they called a "suite" but really was just two tiny rooms that connect. One room had a couch, the other the bed. It was nice. After a tiny bit, we end up chasing the Bulldog and caught up with Mill and crew for a light night on the piss. On Sunday morning I'm flying back to LA so I've got to be good.
The weather was nice but the breeze was cold. I'm glad I brought my thick coat!
Searching for something unique to do for breakfast, I opted for La Dijonaise in Culver City. I ate a perfect piece Quiche Lorraine and French Onion Soup. The neighborhood had a familiar flair and deja vu ensued. "Have we been to this area before? OH, but of course!"
La Dijonaise is located in the heart of the Helms furniture district (converted Helms Bakery) in Culver City. Now, we got to combine our search for the perfect breakfast with our passion of furniture shopping! The wife is obsessed with shopping for a dining room table. I'm obsessed with shopping for the perfect entertainment center. After browsing around, we bought nothing of course. Let the obsession rest until another day.
We had to of course stop in and lie down on the Round Excelsior bed (expensive, but exact price unknown) at the Hastens Bed Store. On the way to the car I ranted about how we'd have to own a round bed some day and what a farce it would be because we'd have to buy all our sheets from Hastens! Don't worry, these beds are only "for people with high sleeping demands". (Isn't that everyone?)
After furniture shopping (or should I write browsing), we cruised over to one of our favorite destinations in the area - Surfas. If you're looking for gourmet foods and chef supplies, this store has been serving the area for nearly 70 years. We purchased a Vosges Goji bar (Milk chocolate with Tibetan goji berries & pink Himalayan salt), some Volvic water, and a few odds and ends.
Of course, the Goji bar was perfect later with our margaritas!
La Dijonaise
8703 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
Hastens Bed Store
8675 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232
Surfas Restaurant and Supply
8824 National Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(No pictures today because we forgot to bring one of our cameras with us!!)
Well, I spent the whole day cooking and only 20 minutes eating! I made two different kinds of stuffing. One had Pecans and Honey and was made as a casserole. The other was stuffed into the 10.48 pound turkey. I baked the Turkey for 3:15 in a turkey bag. I was most impressed with the kabocha (Japanese squash / pumpkin). We slow baked it this morning and then mashed it. It was so sweet and delicious! Savory green bean casserole was created using Golden Mushroom soup and red pepper. Cranberry sauce in the shape of the can is also a must!
The best place to get your car serviced in Charlotte, NC. A bunch of Bullocks? (OK, I know it is not Bollocks but I'm doing my best over here!)
Well, finally I am back in America! Flew home yesterday and my first weekend outing was to the Boule Pastry Shop. We sat down and sipped coffee and ate chocolate. One was even named for David Beckham. Who said footie stars don't have pull? The Beckham varient of chocolate is made with Curry... an important element of any 'night on the piss' in the Northeast, UK. :)
Boule
420 N. La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angleles, CA 90048
OPEN: Monday through Saturday; 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday; 10:00 am - 5:00pm
310-289-9977
Well, I've left my tiny little flat in Newcastle for three nights while I am in London. Staying at the Renaissance Chancery Court, it is so nice to have a comfortable bed again! The hotel is majestic. It is like stepping back into time a little bit. Accessible through a tiny guarded driveway, the hotel surrounds its own huge motor court. The rooms are very nice. At night time they come in and leave a tiny bottle of "Sleep Spray" on my nightstand. Spraying it on the pillow and sheets puts you into an immediate deep sleep!
This morning I flew from Newcastle to Prague. I checked in to the Renaissance Prague Hotel. The hotel was very nice. I got a good room and my arrival gift was excellent. That night I hooked up with Mill and went to a beer garden. The rest of the night remains a blur. :)
Tonight we went to see Nine Inch Nails. As always, they completely rocked out!
Although it seems like a funny thing to write, perfect Sushi is hard to find in LA. Living in Manhattan Beach, it is easy to walk downtown and eat at Octopus. We always order Omakase, meaning "Chef's Choice". This allows us to sit back and enjoy the freshest and best Sushi they have to offer.
But tonight, we drove over to Sushi Imai in Gardena, which is my favorite. This no frills bar has seating for 10 at the counter, and a few tiny tables usually reserved for those taking away. The proprietor is known for serving an exceptional choice of mackerels. I find the best day to go is early on a Friday evening, as tonight the choices seemed to be pretty ordinary. But, as I haven't had any Sushi for about three months now, I loved every bite! Oishii!
Check out Sushi Imai!
JH
Sushi Imai
2225 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-9520
I have to say my months in England have created in me a love for Football. It is nice to understand the rules and such now. In America, soccer as it is called, does not have that great of a following and I never took that much time to watch and understand. So, now that I love Football and have cheered for team England, I'm dismayed that their world cup dreams have once again come to an end, losing on penalties to Portugal today.
:(
So, it is now time to pick myself up and get on with my day. Hopefully England will have better luck in 2010, as they try once again to take home the cup after 44 years of trying since their last win in 1966.
JH
Day three of my return trip to LA. Last night we went to Ford's Filling Station, the inspiring Culver City American diner opened by celebrity chef Ben Ford. After selling the location of his Beverly Hills wonder Chadwick in 2002, Ford's absence from the stadium of gastronomy has only made us crave his organic wonders even more. Finishing off a wonderful bowl of Split Pea Soup, Duck Confit Flatbread, and the now famous Pub Burger (made with Blue Cheese and wonderfully sweet caramelized onions), I sat back in satisfaction. Just about that time, Ben stopped by for a chat, making sure our dinner met our expectations. It did Ben... Thank You for the return! Cheers, JH
Ford's Filling Station
9531 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 202-1470
The Princess and I checked into the Marriott and they gave us the most amazing suite! Tonight is the last night of the Princess Euro Holiday. :( I am going to miss her so much. She has to catch her flight back to LAX tomorrow morning. We had an excellent time though and still have tonight to party!
Here is the Park Hotel as seen from the Marriott. You know A-Dam?
Stopped by Paris today for some breakfast. Although I was pretty worried about my French speaking ability, I managed to order up 2 coffees, 2 croissants, and 2 orange juices all in French. I also mustered the courage to ask for the check in French as well!
I found the locals I ran into to appreciate the fact I try to speak French, even if they know I'm not fluent. Love this picture we snapped of the Cafe:
Les Deux Magots
6, place St-Germain-des-Pres
Paris 75006 France
+33 1 4548 5525
The Princess euro-Holiday continued today to Nice, France. The city is a major tourist center and a leading resort on the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur). It is absolutely beautiful!! We walked up and down the coast and ate delicious Niçoise salads.
Well, I thought the Princess Euro holiday would be made better by a little stop over in Monaco. The romance. The location. The mystery. I pictured myself at the roulette table sipping a martini ("shaken, not stirred"). But, starring in my own episode of "I wish I were James Bond" never happened.
Our arrival to the Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco began the worst part of the vacation. Combining the weather (cold and rainy), the terrible service at the hotel (so bad they refunded our entire stay after investigating my complaints), and that the Grand Prix had just finished (area was a mess!), Monaco was not something we were impressed with at all! We actually have decided to take off tomorrow morning back to Paris after lunch in Nice.
Highlight of the trip was the exclusive (and elusive) La Chocolaterie de Monaco. Since 1920, this place has been serving up chocolate worthy of consumption by the Monaco Royal Family... and a few famished tourists.
La Chocolaterie de Monaco
Place de la Visitation
BP 805
98012
Monaco
(377) 97 97 88 88
Want to spend some money on lunch in Paris? Try L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. I've had a few posh lunches in my life but this one very well may take the cake. Planning a cheap dinner of Chinese food, we decided to give the ala carte menu at L'Atelier a try. We started off with some left over white asparagus they just brought over for free when one of our friends inquired about its availability. That is where the food charity ended!
After some careful consideration, I ordered up the Foie Gras. It was absolutely delicious and well worth the price.
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Hôtel Pont Royal
5, rue de Montalembert
75007
Paris
01 42 22 56 56
Métro: Rue du Bac
The day after seeing Tool we were chilling out at the pool in Palm Desert! Nice shot of the Princess!
Well, finally got to see Tool tonight. They played Sober and Prison Sex (I hear this will be the last time for this Tour). They also previewed a new song ('Vicarious') from the upcoming disc entitled 10,000 Days.
Flew back to LA today. This weekend Princess and I are going to Coachella - a two-day annual music festival held at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California. The real draw for us is Tool. Being a devout Keenanite, I have looked forward to this weekend for longer than I can remember!! Rock on Maynard!
Well, today Esby and I took the fast tour of Edinborough. My finger is killing me!! I managed to snap one good pick though. We learned a few more things today: 1. Sheep are not as friendly as they look; 2. Scotch Whiskey costs more in Scotland than America; 3. When you slam your finger in the door and break the end of it, the pain doesn't go away that quickly!!
Arrived in York today and walked around. My finger is still killing me after smashing it in the door yesterday. It is basically broken off at the tip! The Minster is gorgeous!
So, one item of culture shock has now cost me a personal injury! The doors in my flat automatically slam shut. Unfortunately, my pinky finger was in the way tonight.
Arrived in Amsterdam, Netherlands this morning. I think the best part about coming out of the airport and approaching your taxi is the sign that reads "Please choose the taxi you prefer most." I found this to be quite different to the never ending taxi queues in America for sure! Took the 20 minute drive in my silver E class Mercedes to the Marriott (50 euros) and checked in. After a little walking around, I stopped and ate Meatballs with Endive and Mashed Potatoes.
