Website Feedback
Closed Threads
IRC Chat
irc.quakenet.org #teamliquid
IRC Web ClientTeamSpeak 3 (70 users) | |
|
| Cambium Japan. December 28 2011 01:37. Posts 15625 | Profile Blog # |
This will begin my series of food blogs for this Christmas season, which should hopefully feature various restaurants in Tokyo, ranging from Michelin starred to my personal favourites. I just hope I don't lose motivation writing them halfway through, like I did many times in the past.
==========
Some background information: I'm presently living in Tokyo, and plan to do so in the near future. My GF is visiting me for Christmas, and since we both like to think that we are foodies, we planned this vacation primarily around food. Photo credits go to my lovely GF.
We are in the process of creating a blog, but I'll make sure to always post a TL version here. The contents should be largely similar, but the TL version will be more of a draft.
==========
Even though neither of us are Christians, we both feel that Christmas is something special, and we decided that a Christmas lunch is in order. Having never dined at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, and being a big fan of "Hell's Kitchen", the "Gordon Ramsay’s Perfect Christmas Lunch" was just too convenient to pass up. The restaurant is located atop of the Conrad hotel in Shiodome (near Ginza), and has been awarded one star.
==========
Moving onto the dishes!
Canapé -- [A canapé is a small hors d’oeuvre, similar to amuse-bouche, but bread-based and eaten with fingers.]
The canapé served was a creamy dip made with cod roes. The mousse was slightly watery in consistency, but had a nice hint of lemon citrus and sweetness. However, I felt, overall, for the very first “course” for lunch, it was too heavy, and I would have preferred a much more citrus and refreshing taste.
Amuse-bouche -- [Amuse is an hors d’oeuvre that’s much closer to an appetizer; it’s meant to showcase the chef’s cooking style and acts as an introduction to the meal to come.]
The amuse had a very elegant presentation, and I was very impressed. Similar to the canapé, I felt that amuse was extremely heavy and lacking citrus. There was no ‘kick’ in the flavours to jolt-start my so-called “perfect Christmas lunch”. At this point, I had a distinct feeling that the entire meal was going to be incredibly heavy.
Spiced parsnip soup [- with ballotine of confit chicken leg, bacon and pine nut crumbs]
The soup was extremely delicious, and possibly the best dish of all dishes. The soup had a nice note of sweetness, and extremely smooth and consistent texture. The chicken confit was sandwiched between something that was possibly chestnut on the bottom, and bacon and pine nut crumbs, which offered contrast in texture and a nice aroma.
Overall, the soup was still slightly too creamy for me, but I felt that was more of an aftereffect of the heavy canapé and amuse. This was definitely one of the best soups I had tasted.
Beetroot marinated salmon gravadlax [-- with goat’s cheese mousse and black and purple mustard]
This was by far my least favourite dish of the meal. First off, the smoked salmon had a slimy and chewy texture, and was served at a temperature that was much too warm for my liking (something close to body temperature I would guess). The dill on top was too subtle and added almost nothing in terms of taste as it was completely overpowered by the smoky flavours of the salmon. The mustard sauce was very elegant looking, but similar to the dill, it added no dimensions in terms of taste. I was desperately looking for the tanginess in the sauce that wasn’t there. The entire dish felt extremely flat, nothing other than the warm salmon came through. The beet and the goat cheese were actually a very nice pairing, but again, I was disappointedly left looking for something zesty and refreshing. I felt this dish was the epitome of a heavy dish that offered absolutely no breaks on the plate, for an appetizer no less.
Traditional roast turkey and chestnut stuffing [-- with chipolata wrapped in bacon, all the festive trimmings, cranberry sauce and roast gravy]
This main was honestly nothing too special. The white meat was a little dry, and the gravy was a little watery, but overall, a decent cut of white meat. The sausage was herby, and the bacon was crispy. The vegetables were extremely buttery, but nicely cooked. The cranberry sauce went very well with the dark meats and trimmings. This was overall a very solid turkey main, but nothing too special.
Traditional roast beef rib-eye [-- with Yorkshire pudding, all the festive trimmings, horseradish cream and roast gravy]
A few of the pieces were definitely too rare for my liking, but most of them were medium-rare to medium, which were perfect. Everything on the plate was delicious and exactly what I expected when I think of “roast beef”. One minor gripe I had with this dish was my Yorkshire pudding came out looking deformed, but it tasted great.
Similar to the turkey dish, it was a very solid entrée, but nothing too special.
Christmas spiced apple tart [-- with cinnamon ice cream]
I’m not a dessert person, so I’ll be brief. The apple tart was very crispy, not too sweet, and overall very well-balanced.
Christmas pudding [-- with brandy custard and rum and raisin ice cream]
This cake had a very complex flavours: a hint of burnt brandy bitterness followed by a refreshing
fruity and nutty taste.
==========
Overall, to be honest, I wasn't overly impressed with the entire meal, I just felt everything was extremely heavy and lacked necessary breaks. However, having said that, the mains were definitely very solid; everything you'd expect from a good restaurant. And the soup and the desserts were outstanding. I'm sure Gordon would vehemently disagree and call me a "fucking donkey" or something of those effects. Hey, what the hell, what do I know?
==========
Hope you enjoyed, more coming shortly!Last edit: 2011-12-28 01:51:56
  |
| | When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. |
|
|
| Steelavocado United States. December 28 2011 01:43. Posts 978 | Profile # | |
| |
|
| sung_moon United States. December 28 2011 02:08. Posts 7096 | Profile Blog # |
niiiiiiiiiice
was up in NYC about a week b4 christmas eve and was really really really tempted to hit his restaurant in NY after a long week of snowboarding. will go there eventually. that salmon dish looks amazing |
| |
|
| Mithriel Netherlands. December 28 2011 02:31. Posts 2854 | Profile # |
| fuck, that looks amazing!!!! |
| | Favorite players: Grubby, MKP & Flash! |
|
|
| Chairman Ray Canada. December 28 2011 02:51. Posts 7368 | Profile Blog # |
| wow, im super hungry now. That looks so tasty |
| | You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish. |
|
|
| josemb40 Peru. December 28 2011 04:28. Posts 565 | Profile Blog # |
| wow, the soup looked really delicious, i think it was my favorite dish! |
| |
|
 LosingID8 Harlem. December 28 2011 04:31. Posts 10376 | Profile Blog # |
i hate food porn so much
always makes me jealous and hungry |
| |
|
| Storchen Sweden. December 28 2011 05:14. Posts 4352 | Profile # |
This all looks sooo delicious. I've been to his restaurant in London (one of them in case he has more) and I will never forget that food.
Just curious, is "gravadlax" something international? I mean, do people say that in english? Thought it was a swedish thing. |
|
|
| Froadac United States. December 28 2011 05:25. Posts 5641 | Profile Blog # |
I don't want to know how much that cost o.o ''
Still looks absolutely delicious. |
| |
|
| Chargelot December 28 2011 05:27. Posts 2274 | Profile Blog # |
On December 28 2011 05:25 Froadac wrote:
I don't want to know how much that cost o.o ''
Still looks absolutely delicious.
More than I spend on food in a month, no doubt. |
| | if (post == "stupid") { document.getElementById('post').style.display = 'none'; } |
|
|
 Synwave United States. December 28 2011 06:08. Posts 2738 | Profile # |
On December 28 2011 05:25 Froadac wrote:
I don't want to know how much that cost o.o ''
Still looks absolutely delicious.
Actually Im fairly curious on this score. When going out for something fancy and high class price isnt really the object but when critiquing it does apply an interesting standard. |
| | ♞Nerdrage is the cause of global warming♞ |
|
|
| SiZ.FaNtAsY Korea (South). December 28 2011 06:54. Posts 1452 | Profile Blog # |
| I really missed your blogs! Hope there's more to come! |
| |
|
| Endymion United States. December 28 2011 06:59. Posts 2477 | Profile Blog # |
looks excellent o.o, do his proteges cook all the meals, or does it just have his name on the resteraunt?
also, it doesn't look like a one star restaurant to me!! |
| | It left us speechless, quite speechless I tell you, and we have not stopped talking of it since. |
|
|
 Waxangel United States. December 28 2011 07:19. Posts 19111 | Profile Blog # |
foodies are the worst type of white person :o
good lighting on the shots though :OLast edit: 2011-12-28 07:20:22 |
| | Hey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint? |
|
|
| Waxangel United States. December 28 2011 07:22. Posts 19111 | Profile Blog # |
On December 28 2011 05:14 Storchen wrote:
This all looks sooo delicious. I've been to his restaurant in London (one of them in case he has more) and I will never forget that food.
Just curious, is "gravadlax" something international? I mean, do people say that in english? Thought it was a swedish thing.
It pays more homage to the country of origin than just saying "cured salmon" I guess.
There's other ways of curing salmon, and I think that specifies the scandinavian style.Last edit: 2011-12-28 07:23:48 |
| | Hey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint? |
|
|
| Cambium Japan. December 28 2011 10:56. Posts 15625 | Profile Blog # |
On December 28 2011 06:08 Synwave wrote:
Show nested quote +On December 28 2011 05:25 Froadac wrote:
I don't want to know how much that cost o.o ''
Still looks absolutely delicious.
Actually Im fairly curious on this score. When going out for something fancy and high class price isnt really the object but when critiquing it does apply an interesting standard.
Ah, I really agree with this. I try to be as objective as possible, but I do think I expect more when I'm paying more for the food.
This three-course meal cost 6800 JPY which is about $90.
On December 28 2011 06:59 Endymion wrote:
looks excellent o.o, do his proteges cook all the meals, or does it just have his name on the resteraunt?
also, it doesn't look like a one star restaurant to me!!
Chef de cuisine is called Shinya Maeda.
In 2006 he joined Gordon Ramsay Holdings in the same role, working alongside Gordon Ramsay in several of his London restaurants including the iconoclast The Savoy Grill, Pétrus, a two-starred Michelin modern French restaurant at that time, and the legendary Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London.
I think the 2nd option is more correct: it mostly just has GR's name in the restaurant.
On December 28 2011 07:19 Waxangel wrote:
foodies are the worst type of white person :o
good lighting on the shots though :O
Too bad I'm not white :o
|
| | When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. |
|
|
| Waxangel United States. December 28 2011 11:46. Posts 19111 | Profile Blog # |
| but from this blog, obviously your soul is white |
| | Hey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint? |
|
|
| Daray December 28 2011 12:01. Posts 2848 | Profile # |
The color and the texture of the salmon looks a bit weird... might be the lighting i guess.
$90 isn't THAT much but i'd definitely expect quality for that price. Did they offer wine pairings?
You should visit Noma sometime  |
|
|
| Chargelot December 28 2011 17:12. Posts 2274 | Profile Blog # |
| Oh $90 isn't so bad for such a good looking meal. I mean, it is almost how much I spend on food for myself in a month, but definitely seems worth the cost. |
| | if (post == "stupid") { document.getElementById('post').style.display = 'none'; } |
|
|
| Synwave United States. December 29 2011 09:24. Posts 2738 | Profile # |
| Thanks for the reply on cost it gives a good perspective. Also Im still hungry after all these days of looking at this. I really need to recover from xmas bills so I can buy some fancy stuff to make *stomach grumbles* |
| | ♞Nerdrage is the cause of global warming♞ |
|
|
| 1 2 Next All | |
|
|
|
| |
|
Sidebar Settings...
|
Store
![[image loading]](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20968/photos/2011.12.23.gordon.ramsay/GR_DSC04085 (Small).jpg)
![[image loading]](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20968/photos/2011.12.23.gordon.ramsay/GR_DSC04088 (Small).jpg)
![[image loading]](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20968/photos/2011.12.23.gordon.ramsay/GR_DSC04090 (Small).jpg)
![[image loading]](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20968/photos/2011.12.23.gordon.ramsay/GR_DSC04092 (Small).jpg)
![[image loading]](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20968/photos/2011.12.23.gordon.ramsay/GR_DSC04096 (Small).jpg)
![[image loading]](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20968/photos/2011.12.23.gordon.ramsay/GR_DSC04097 (Small).jpg)
![[image loading]](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20968/photos/2011.12.23.gordon.ramsay/GR_DSC04102 (Small).jpg)
![[image loading]](http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20968/photos/2011.12.23.gordon.ramsay/GR_DSC04099 (Small).jpg)
