Adrie Reinders

Feast your eyes

Minamoto Kitchoan
648 Market Street, San Francisco

Yesterday I was walking from one appointment to another in San Franciso when I walked past Minamoto Kitchoan – www.kitchoan.com, a shop selling confectioneries for a Japanese High Tea.
It absolutely was a gorgeous experience just to look – an artful display of delicacies. I could not resist the temptation to also taste these pastries and it most definitely met my initial expectations – a delicate blend of flavours and textures, so light that the taste is barely there but still overwhelming. Definitely makes me very greedy for more – and it won’t be the last visit I make there. Thank goodness they also have stores in London, NY and Singapore…

Megu, Japanese restaurant, 62 Thomas Street, New York, NY

The first time I visited Megu, about 4 years ago, this was the first Japanese restaurant in the chain outside of Japan. In the meantime there are about 20 all over the world. The first time you walk in, you are overwhelmed by the dramatic interior. High ceilings in the dining area, massive ice sculpture in the middle and the typical Megu Japanese/Western decor. The feeling has remained even though I have visited the place many times. The Megu I talk about here, is in a small alley in Tribecca. The feeling of “what have I gotten myself into” really creeps up to you as you walk towards the restaurant – as a CEO of a Fortune 100 company I once invited will testify. He almost turned round as he thought he had gotten lost. But the courage to continue is worth it!
I mostly ask the staff to put a menu together for me – which may end up being 8 courses all consisting of small bites. The Kobe beef is very special, and you can prepare it at your table on a hot stone. Ofcourse the Sushi is always wonderful too. The wine cellar is outstanding with a good choice of world wines. The only problem I have with Megu is the price, every time you dine there – you think you have just purchased the entire restaurant.

Comfort: 9
Service: 8.5
Food: 8.5
Price/Quality: 7.5