Go! Go! Curry, NYC

I had a great lunch this afternoon at my favorite Japanese curry restaurant in NYC.  I've been frequenting Go! Go! Curry for years now and it is probably the best curry I've had outside of mother Japan.  This afternoon I had the Grand Slam, which is a rather large plate of food.  Don't worry, I didn't eat it all myself!  The curry is so rich and satisfying here.  It is not at all spicy.  The toppings are all moist and delicious.     

Niigata Sake Tasting at Sakagura

I had a great time last night at the Niigata sake tasting event held at one of NYC's very best bars, Sakagura.  I jumped at the chance to attend this tasting since I love sakes from Niigata, a region known for its excellent rice, water and sake.  There were 7 different brewers pouring 13 different sakes.  I made sure to taste all of them at least three times just to make sure they were drinking well.  Indeed they were.  The sakes were all fantastic as were the appetizers provided by the kitchen.  I loved chatting with all the brewers as well as talking to many of the people at the tasting.  All of the brewers are from families that have owned these breweries for several generations.   Each was proud to pour a glass and give a friendly Kanpai! 

My old roommate Keith Weissman showed up and got lots of attention with his stories of going to school and living in Japan on two separate occasions.  Mike Capilouto and his new bride Christine made it as well.  Mike and I used to go to Sakagura pretty often, it was great to be back at a sake tasting with him last night.  Christine brought a friend from Dartmouth and the two of them asked a lot of great questions about how sake is made.       

My favorite sake of the tasting last night was Midori Kawa "Green River" Daiginjo.  A beautiful sake that is aged for two years prior to release.  The flavor profile is so clean and precise with a lingering finish.  Dynamite stuff that I hope to enjoy again at Sasagin in Tokyo.  The rice is milled to 40%.  Alcohol is 17-18%.

 

Grilled Squid at NYC Japanese Street Food Block Party

Another highlight of the afternoon was the simply grilled squid served with Japanese mayonnaise.  The squid was perfectly grilled, fresh and extra tender.

Garnet Wines, Upper East Side, NYC

Since my favorite wine store in Manhattan was in the last day of its red sale I had to stop by to pick up a few value bottles - Vietti Barbera, 07 Cotes du Rhone and Scavino Langhe Rosso.  I chatted with JR for awhile about the 08 Rhones.  He thinks they will be a very tough sale given the high prices and less than stellar growing conditions.  I can't disagree.

http://www.garnetwine.com/