LA | Skip the Tourist Spots!
๐ My 18th visit, coinciding with my first visit three years ago โ a meaningful full circle moment, closing a magical chapter of my LA journey. ๐ Kicking off my birthday month in August with memorable celebrations โ great food, fine wine, amazing friends, and even some tipsy golf โณ๏ธ๐ฅณ. Highlights: 2006 Petrus, 1996 DRC, 2012 Screaming Eagle, 2017 Mouton Rothschild, paired with Hayato โ North Americaโs finest kaiseki experience. Carpe diem โ why wait for tomorrow? ๐ถ Welcome drink: Jลซyondai Nakadori ๐ Kinmedai from Chiba: Rich, oily, deep-sea catch, served with shiso vinegar jelly ๐ Eggplant simmered in bonito broth with ginger threads โ a light, warm summer soup ๐ฝ Corn & Hokkaido Scallop Tempura โ featuring champion corn from a NorCal farmers' market ๐ ๐๐ซ Tairagai & Pea Bowl โ beautiful seasonal offering. Tairagai has a stunning peacock-colored shell and a firmer texture than scallops ๐ Charcoal-grilled mehikari fish ๐ Spring Sea Bream Stick Sushi โ lightly cured, minimal soy to preserve the fish's natural flavor ๐ Japanese Butterfish Owan โ lucked out with the second-day catch! Best season for Seto Inland Sea butterfish โ firm, delicate, and incredibly fresh during spawning season ๐ ๐ Early-season bonito ๐ Abalone ๐ซ Spot Prawn & Mitsuba (Japanese parsley) thick soup ๐ง Grilled kinmedai with onion ๐ฝ Fried baby corn โ all familiar favorites, as delicious as ever ๐ฅฃ Wild Japanese Eel Nabe with water greens, daikon, and shiitake ๐ โ this portion was huge! Chef B said it was a โsuper eelโ โ clearly well-fed in the ocean ๐ ๐ฆ Dungeness Crab Kamameshi โ crab heaven in a pot. Best enjoyed with the chef's signature smile ๐ ๐ Harryโs Berries for dessert ๐ท The wines these past few days were exceptional ๐ฅน 2006 Petrus โ even with just 1.5 hours of decanting, still youthful but unmistakably Pรฉtrus: layered dark fruit, firm yet balanced tannins. 1996 DRC รchezeaux โ less complex within its vintage but vibrant with spice, florals, raspberry, cherry, and oak. Bright acidity, drinking beautifully now. Screaming Eagle โ a New World masterpiece. Intense yet precise aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, white flowers, and herbs. Structured tannins, refreshing acidity, long finish โ powerful yet balanced. ๐ Final thoughts: My love for Hayato goes beyond the chef's dedication, the warm service, and incredible food โ it's also about the memories, laughter, and the wonderful food-loving friends Iโve met here. Iโll be visiting less often now, so a few spots each month will open up โ good luck, everyone! And thank you. ๐ #LosAngeles #LAEats #MichelinLA #JapaneseKaiseki #FineDining #WinePairing #Hayato
