root down dining room

I know, I know.. not the most poetic title. But sometimes I just like to say things simply so that they are clearly understood. root down is really, really GOOD!!

I have gotten very, very behind in my usual series of posts on the wonderful dining experiences that make up Denver. In fact, as I look through the series of photos on my iphone taken over the past few weeks (months?) I realize so much time has passed that I feel certain that I must go back again before writing. That’s not all bad though, so many of these restaurants were wonderful and I sure won’t mind going back. Perhaps that is best, as one friend shared with me details of a professional New York Restaurant Reviewer who will only write a review after visiting 2 or 3 times… I can’t remember which. I suppose that is truly the best way to get a fair assessment of a place as it gives them a chance to overcome the occasional “off” day that everyone must have from time to time. Ah… murphy’s law has definitely provided more than a few of those times in 2008. But I babble, let’s get on to talking about a new restaurant by the name of “root down” located in LoHi or Lower Highlands for acronymaphobes (Hey, I made up a word) at 1600 W. 33rd Ave on the corner of 33rd and Osage.

To begin with, let me tell you that the space is GREAT in so many ways. It’s cozy, comfortable, a bit quirky and fun. With recycled gym floorboards complete with their painted logos, big glass garage doors (the location used to be a auto garage I believe), an open kitchen, and great lighting it is… well…. nice. It is a little bit romantic, cozy, and fun. The bar is the same way, although I only poked my head in for a second. With a huge flat screen showing the game and a crowd of locals sharing laughter, it looked like a wonderful and warm neighborhood gathering place. The only room I wasn’t so sure about was their private dining room located directly behind the host/hostess stand. The room had some great tin lids to make a wonderful decoration for the wall, but I think the glass walls and the proximity behind the entrance might give me a feeling that I was someone’s pet trapped in a terrarium. Albeit a very nice terrarium. In general there is alot of glass, which is great for looking out the windows while dining and you can see they have one heck of a great patio when spring and summer roll around. On the flip side, I bet their heat is going to have to work on a -3 degree night. It wasn’t that cold outside when we were there Saturday night but you could tell the heaters were working and just barely keeping the chill away. My guess is that just need to turn the heat on earlier because it gradually warmed up through dinner… or was it the blood orange Mojito?

Did I not mention the Mojito yet… well their Blood Orange Mojito is just one of a number of root down’s specialty cocktails. I got to taste two of them…. delicious. You all will have to try them all and come back here and post your favorite. Or maybe your favorite should be the water. No, I’m not crazy.. root down does a full reverse osmosis process on your tap water; which comes delivered in an elegantly branded bottle, the cooking water, and I believe any drop of water that you might ingest in some way. This water principle is but one of the components of root down’s overall goal to be sustainable and seasonal in their menu offering and their business practices. This does not mean vegetarian, you can count on ample meatatarian choices from what will likely be free range, hormone and other injection free cows, chickens, lambs, or whatever the monthly menu allows for. I won’t go through the whole menu with you for two reasons. First, it would take too long. Second, root down changes their menu monthly so whatever I write here has a lifespan of something less than 30 days. But I can tell you what we ordered and how it was…

• Fire Roasted Tomato and Peanut Soup / Cilantro & Lime Yogurt …. and it was awesome, especially on a chilly night
• Goat Cheese & Fennel Panna Cotta / Arugula, Beet Caviar, Carmelized Orange, & Cumin Walnuts… will definitely do again… GREAT
• Spanish Ceasar Salad / Frozen Xerez Vinegar, White Anchovy, Gnocchi Croutons & Agend Manchego….  the vinegar was COOL in both meanings of the word.  More anchovies please!
• Smoked Protobello, Leek & Mascarpone Wontons / Soy Mint Dunk… It was good, not my favorite though.  It had an almost smokey flavor I wasn’t expecting
• Pan Seared Muscovy Duck Breast / Sweet Potato Fennel Hash, Greens, & Bourbon Cider Reduction…. YUM… the duck was perectly cooked
• Moroccan Style Fish / Lemon, Cumin & Coriander Rub; Black Olive, Spinach, & Currant Pearl Pasta…  As much as I loved the fish (snapper) I could not stop eating the sides.. delicious

I should mention that the last two items were from the Entrees section of the menu which root down offers as a full dinner or a small plate to allow sharing.  I am a sharer, usually unable to decide exactly what to try when so many options look great and this format of menu allows not only for sharing, but for a more reasonable sized dinner.  It’s kind of nice to not get served multiple pounds of food on one plate and to have a price that matches.   In this economy it’s nice to be able to go out and not break the bank for dinner and these Entrees run about $20 for full size and about $10 for a small size (which is a perfect dinner as is).

A few more comments..  The people they have recruited are wonderful… kind and helpful.  Our server in particular was spectacular, explaining every detail of our meal and expanding on the philosophy of the restaurant.  While I didn’t have any wine (crazy huh… just not in the mood for a change) I was told the list and the selections sampled were delicious.  A few times we almost had the wrong food dropped off, they work as a team delivering everything I assume to make sure everything comes out as soon as it is ready, which is pretty reasonable considering we were there pretty much day one live to the world.   But for a first week of business or the 10th year in the business it was a great experience.  Great food, nice people… two of the most important things to me for any any restaurant.

Go and try it yourself!!  I highly recommend it!

root down bar

I can tell the DNC is almost here. Yesterday at the corner of 16th and Little Raven I noticed the post signs with Denver 2008 boldly displayed in plain typeface just seconds before a small group of Jehovah witnesses handing me a brochure. They were very polite and non intrusive in how they approached me which may be better manners than we can expect very shortly. The signs, both literal and figurative, are showing us that the excitement is almost upon us.

The news agencies are discussing the strength of our police and emergency support. Demonstrators are complaining that they will be too far away from the real action. Residents are wondering what life in Denver will be like that week. I was simply preparing for the one night out we do have planned during the DNC with a dinner at the Capital Grill so I thought I would stop in and grab a bite last night.

To begin with, I cannot stress that I have yet to find anyplace in Denver that consistently prepares a martini to the quality level of Capital Grill. Back when I went out a bit more you might find me enjoying a couple of these when dining there. The recipe is simple, Ketel One dirty with blue cheese stuffed olives. What is not simple is the execution. For those of you who appreciate a good olive you know that most restaurants or bars either don’t offer the blue cheese stuffed olive or use an inferior blue cheese. Bad blue cheese in an olive is simply disappointing. But whatever your martini selection, the Capital Grill has one of the best. Now in the spirit of the upcoming power suit lobbyist and political spectacle we should help those visiting our city by letting them know where the best martini is. What is your vote.Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Now I doubt my late request will be met, but since I have more than a few nights in their computer history I am hoping that a few reservations might remain for the locals. If it’s not available I will simply try other spots such as the no reservation taking Potager that we love any night of the week.

What I found interesting about my Dinner dilemma was the conversation it created while out to dinner with friends (at Potager of course) last week. After sharing my foolishness in not thinking about reservations during this coveted week earlier I found a very clear split of emotion among my dining companions. What was most interesting was that the opinions were totally opposite. Half of the group would prefer to do what I was attempting, to be out and about in the heart of the energy of the event for Dinner plans. The other half was going to hit the grocery store well in advance and spend each night cooking, safe and secure within the shelter of their loft or bungalow. There was no middle ground. The folks who were going out were doing it big or not at all.

Interesting… So what are you doing for dinner?
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I am having trouble avoiding interruption.

I first began not simply noticing this, but focusing on this over the past week. I realized that I was spending far too much of my day checking email or performing some other technology tool task. While out walking my dog, I am checking email. When I first wake up I check email. While writing or working I am checking email. I find it is more than a bit distracting. Maybe it is the nature of my career over the many years where things were always moving so quickly. Or, as those of you who have been reading this blog for some time remember me posting, it is because my iphone or whatever technology toy it might be makes it so easy. At that time it was me singing praises to my iphone for all it allowed me to do and how easily it allowed me to do it.  Be careful what you wish for, you might get it.  Now my habit of welcoming interruption is becoming too much.  And it is something I want to change. A lifestyle that promotes focus without interruption can be a very good thing.

My first steps took place this past winter with the revolutionary idea of not taking my cell phone. For a few peaceful hours I didn’t keep checking my messages or answering my phone. Meanwhile this was the typical discussion I heard around me…

PHONE: “Ring Ring” (actually it was probably some song but this is easier)

PERSON ON SKI LIFT WRESTLES WITH THEIR GLOVES, THEN THEIR COAT POCKET, TRYING TO REACH THEIR PHONE

PHONE: “Ring Ring”

PERSON ON SKI LIFT: “Hello…. Hey dude…. Yeah I am skiing in Vail… I am just riding the lift up…. Yes its great up here today”

PERSON ON SKI LIFT’S FINGERS ARE STARTING TO FROSTBITE AS THEY TALK

PERSON ON SKI LIFT: “I am not sure what we are doing this weekend, lets totally grab a beer on Saturday… No I didn’t hear if Sue was going…. really….. she was looking good on Tuesday man…. Okay….. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha….. um yeah I love that show…. Okay later”

PERSON ON SKI LIFT PUTS PHONE AWAY WITH CRAMPED, FROZEN HANDS AND THEN GOES BACK TO LOOKING AT THE PRETTY SNOW

Of course this is the simpler version. The funniest is the person in the act of skiing who stops to take the call. Not only does this throw off their rhythm but it totally stops whatever Zen moment with nature they might have been having. I respect this works for some. It is just not the choice for me.

So now I am trying to bring this philosophy off the slopes.

The New York Times had an article this past week “Lost in Email, Tech Firms Face Self Made Beast” discussing the new trend for technology companies to be building tools to combat the “beast” of their own creation. I thought this was an especially interesting quote…

“A typical information worker who sits at a computer all day turns to his e-mail program more than 50 times and uses instant messaging 77 times, according to one measure by RescueTime, a company that analyzes computer habits. The company, which draws its data from 40,000 people who have tracking software on their computers, found that on average the worker also stops at 40 Web sites over the course of the day.

The fractured attention comes at a cost. In the United States, more than $650 billion a year in productivity is lost because of unnecessary interruptions, predominately mundane matters, according to Basex. The firm says that a big chunk of that cost comes from the time it takes people to recover from an interruption and get back to work.”

Now I am not sure how this translates to me personally, but I believe my habits ensure some greater level of productivity loss in what is most important to me. And I certainly don’t want to miss any of the company or scenery around me during something as simple and nice as an early morning dog walk.

Yet most people I know or observe are busy scrawling on their electronic devices while out at dinner with friends, enjoying happy hour with their team, or simply in a public and social setting. I can’t complain, I do it too. Now I am trying to stop, slow down, smell the roses along the way and save my email catchup for a specific time and place. So here are a few tricks I am trying to break my interruption habit:

1. First, I turned off my email accounts (yep, not just one) on my iphone. I can always turn them back on when I go out of town but do I really need updated email every fifteen minutes, twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty five days of the year. This is probably the single biggest change.
2. Next is to break the habit of constantly checking my phone. I am periodically leaving my iphone (this is going to sound like blasphemy to some) hidden away charging versus having it on me or right next to me. I want to focus on the task at hand without interruption, or temptation of interruption. Barring an expected call I need to wait for there is no reason to not create some “quiet time”. That goes equally for a non phone zone while joining friends for dinner, or taking my dog for a walk, or many other brief tasks. I know that there is the risk of an emergency. Fortunately, everyone around me will have a phone I can borrow. And this doesn’t have to be a long term strategy, just long enough to break the habit of constantly checking my device. But I think being out of touch for a couple hours at a time will still allow the world to keep turning. I can barely remember, but I am pretty sure I lived without a cell phone at one time.
3. I am turning off that little flag that tells me every time I have a new email on my computer/laptop. The darn thing goes off every 30 seconds it seems, and they are never critical. But of course…. it might be really important so I have to stop what I am doing to check it. Enough!

Do you have any other suggestions for how you prevent interruptions? Or do you have a pro argument for the virtues of an interruption rich life. That has been my habit for quite some time.

What about your habits? Here is a poll to ask that question and see how the populations checks in on this one. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

By the way, in the few minutes it took to write this my email box is showing a red alert flag that I have three new messages. I better hurry and check them!

So yesterday I posted about the slap that oil gave our economy. I have a different question for Denver today. Fortunately, the Denver economy has been stronger than many parts of the country (hey, we rock).

That being said, there are still some things that affect us. How many of you are cutting back, if at all, and what things do you pick to cut back on? I am genuinely curious. Do we keep our dinners out and cut back on gas? Do we stop shopping but still drive? Do we cancel our vacations or do we splurge and not worry because it’s all cyclical? You tell me. I don’t need to remind everyone that by stopping our spending we hurt the economy. Easier said than done.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Oh, and here are a few links

• 8 Ways to Cut Back Without Sacrificing
• Save Money on Utilities
• Daily Fuel Economy Tip

You have to understand the irony of me seeing Tina on this trip to New York. I was only recently introduced to 30 rock and was instantly hooked. The show is witty with smart humor and great characters. It has been a LONG time since I found something this hilarious and I admit I am hooked on the pretty, smart and funny Tina Fey who co-produces, writes and stars in her 30 Rock show. After checking out the online episodes from this season I filled my Netflix queue with the past season.

Just the week before some colleagues joked and were a bit surprised that Tina was in my top 5. Imagine their shock on finding out I got a chance to meet her. What an awesome profession, making people laugh. I admire her and what she does writing for 30 Rock. You just need to believe and follow your dreams… hmmmmm, maybe meeting her was a sign.

The talented Mrs. Fey was, as you would expect, very nice. I met her at the site of Columbus Circle where the writers strike line had just ended. She was with Rachel Dratch talking and preparing to head out when I introduced myself, shook her hand, and asked her how the strike was going. Her eyes sparkled, she smiled, and shared with me that she thought it would be over soon.

Tina, i certainly hope so. Good luck guys!

Now I know we got some snow last night. Let’s face it, last night rocked. After taking my very happy Alaskan Malamute for a snow romp we went to grab dinner at the Avenue Grill and watch the snow fall through the big glass windows. Cab’s both ways saved us from driving, but the wait to get the return cab was a bit long.

But nevermind that, I’m off topic from my friend’s trip into the office today.

First let me set the stage for you. She works downtown and lives in Highlands Ranch. That’s a long enough hike on a normal day but with the weather today… ouch. Her husband sets out for his day much earlier and gave her a warning call just before she left “I’m still not to the office yet” he let her know. This means close to two hours on the road.

So she quickly changed her plans and decided to take the light rail. Her usual 7 minute trip to the light rail station took her 30 minutes. No telling what a trip all the way downtown would have been. She missed her first train because apparently it was High School trip day and the machines were clogged with fun loving teens experimenting with their freedom and trying to learn how to use the system for the first time (this I actually find funny) and she catches the next train with no major issues. She thought about jumping on the train that was just sitting there and that she eventually missed waiting for the high school students to wrap up their purchases but didn’t want to risk getting ticketed.

Then on the way across Colfax WHAMMO a car collided with her light rail train. I guess the hit was pretty hard (and loud) with passengers on the train screaming and jolted from their peaceful trip. And what does the idiot who hit the train do… they run away. Can you imagine someone thinking they can get away with a hit and run on the light rail. Apparently no less than 50 people got their license plate numbers. I am just fascinated with how people think, or don’t think, sometimes. I can’t even imagine what will happen to that fool. My guess is the person wasn’t on the way to their job as a rocket scientist or molecular genetic engineer, but I’ve been wrong before.

The train announcer was a bit confused. Ordinarily the train needs to sit and wait to swap information with the other car but since the driver did a hit and run there was no one to swap info with. Good news for those train passengers as the train went back on its path. After finally arriving to downtown she decided to make a pit stop at the bank at Lawrence with the intention of taking the 16th street shuttle the rest of the way. That, of course with Murphy’s law, turned out to be a big mistake as the shuttles were only running one way… for her the wrong way. And of course this means the last leg of her trip was on foot slipping and sliding every step of the way.

If anyone has a better trip into work story for today… bring it.

I didn’t really think our snow was that bad last night but it sure seems to have the ability to grind our streets to a halt. Good thing we all have a sense of humor (or at least most of us).

Photo credit from CBS website.

It was emotional to see the memorial, perhaps it made it more real in comparison to reading it in the newspaper or watching TV.

It is just so senseless, so sad, and a rare and tragic event for Denver. What are our solutions to fighting crime and violence in this wonderful city? In my opinion the growth in the number of urban dwellers downtown will certainly help contribute to this. More eyes on the street is one helpful item, but more than that the increased density of folks living downtown will promote the number of people working to protect the peace whether by ideas or tax dollars for our police force. I’m no criminologist and this isn’t my forte so I hope others out there have some good ideas. The key is to make sure discussions are happening to get those ideas presented and find solutions.
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It couldn’t have worked out better. We chilled out and got the celebration started with a round of cocktails (dirty martini, blue cheese stuffed olives please) and then relaxed over laughter, stories, and catching up while enjoying steaks (baseball sirloin for this day of course) and some great red wine. Our boys night out dinner carried us past the first pitch (which we did want to see) but we got there just in time for the blackout. In fact we timed it so close the folks behind us joked that we caused it.

First of all, let me tell you that the crowd last night was amazing. The energy, the rockies flag waving, the cheers, the jeers, and everything else was like a live current. Someone who watched the game at home said it was boring. I don’t know what they were watching but from my seat it was a nail biter with the close score and then the tie up keeping us all on the edge of our seats (or standing) as we celebrated every strike and out that kept the Phillies from moving ahead. That is to say that the comfort zone when we were 1 – 0 disappeared as we watched their one run homer put us neck to neck.

Somewhere around the 6th inning a few incidents started happening around us. Drunk guy falls down stairs (ouch), another drunk guy (doofus) tries to start the wave on his own with beer in hand and sprays the crowd (many apologies did follow), and the last drunk guy (yes, we see you) tries to start his own cheer leading section. There are always those interesting characters.

But what a finish. When, in the bottom of the 8th, the Rockies scored the needed run to put us up 2 to 1 the crowd went nuts. And then for every pitch, out, catch and moment through the top of the 9th the Rockies put the final touches on the SWEEP of the Phillies.

That moment, on the last out, was magic. Friends yelled with joy and high fives all around. Smiles EVERYWHERE filled every face and goodwill flowed. It was AWESOME. How cool to be there and share it with not just my friends but with 70,000 other fans.

The post game party in the streets and bars around the ballpark was just as exciting and with just as much energy. With laughter in the air, the smell of beer in the air, and traffic crawling through the streets we leisurely walked through Denver to find a spot for one more beer and some quality time to revel in the day. Cheers Denver, the Rockies did it!!

My early morning flight out of DIA took off a little after 8 am. With little sleep from the night before, either from nervousness or excitement, it was an easy crash on the plane. I slept the entire way to my midway stop in Vancouver.

Vancouver, by the way, has a fantastic airport. It is beautiful and the views out the windows make it an addition to my “places to see” list. I was transferring to Air Canada (I know, United Mileage plus points… but really) and spent most of my 3 hour layover traveling from gate to gate trying to find an active one to switch my upcoming seat assignment from a middle seat to a window. I could not imagine anything more painful than taking my longest flight to date squished in a coach middle seat. I was dreading it. The airlines had the flight set at completely booked so my chance, my only chance, was that brief window an hour before flight time or close to it when those folks who cancel their flights give up tickets. With the knowledge that there were about a hundred other potential candidates for a window seat I knew my chances were slim. But with only time to kill in Vancouver it was worth it.

It was in the Air Canada private club entrance that salvation came my way. A kind lady heard my request and since mine was probably the easiest request of the pampered and coddled elite who pass her way she quickly pulled up an access screen (I should have thought of this first as the club probably can do changes anytime for their members) and announced that she saw one and only one alternative. It was an aisle seat on the window side and she said “I’m grabbing it before its gone” before I could respond. My thanks went out to her then and today for saving me from another experience.

I boarded and met my seat mate who was a Canadian model named Cory traveling for a multi month agency post in Tokyo. A lot of single guys might be excited but since I am very happily married man it just meant it was someone who spoke English. I always feel so embarrassed that I haven’t taken the time to learn other languages. I can do pretty well with French, I can get by with a touch of German, but I am totally lost in any Asian language.

Her story about the crazy modeling industry in Tokyo was interesting. Apparently the Tokyo market loves to use Canadian, American, and European models for their products. There is a draw to their audience and a created endorsement with the images. I would see evidence of this later in the Tokyo subways with advertisements featuring Tommy Lee Jones and a myriad of other American personalities. The requirements were to look young, cute, and dainty. Her words, they want you to be cute and she works it. Cory’s agency knew her age in the mid 20′s but would pass her off as an older teen for the casting calls. I was amazed to hear that girls as young as young as 14 were going to be living over the next few months in Tokyo as part of this model agency project on their own. I can’t imagine what I would do as a 14 year old in Tokyo for months on my own but the only answer seems to be to get in trouble. And this, Cory stated, is exactly what happens. Her stories, the few I heard before crashing out as we crossed forward from Monday to Tuesday over the international date line, indicated that all the hype about the safety of Tokyo were true. Outside of a few incidents with drunk Japanese businessmen following her home after clubbing until she screamed at them her stays over the past 8 years have been without problems. Cory gave me some tips on places to go and squashed a few myths that I had either read or researched before my trip, shared a cab to the city (cabs are expensive but she said the bus and subway are a nightmare) and then I was on my own upon arriving at the Park Hyatt Tokyo at 3:45 in the afternoon. One final comment on the flight, the food on Air Canada is terrible. Wonderful team members and very friendly but if there is a next time I’m packing some snacks.

Now keep in mind that while it was 3:45 in the afternoon I felt like I had been up for over a day. The combination of a lack of sleep before I left and the poor sleep on the flight meant I was a bit tired. My goal was a quick walking tour of my area, some Sushi for dinner, and then a good nights sleep to wake up the following day for the consistently recommended Fish Market that starts at 5:30 a.m.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo is surrounded by huge and towering office towers and Luxury Hotels. The site of the movie “Lost in Translation” it truly does have the panoramic views of Tokyo that are breathtaking. I had gone for an upper tower room and upon check in I found myself in a wonderful corner city view room on the 46th floor. My representative upon check in had indicated there was one available on the 51st floor a bit higher but she confided that my room would offer her favorite view. She was right and WOW what a skyline. Tokyo seems to go on and on forever. It is like a sea of buildings that stretches farther than I can see.

I quickly cleaned up and heading out. After landing, customs, and over an hour of cab ride plus just checking in it was now past 6 pm. I shot up to the famous New York Grill restaurant at the top and took in that spectacular view with a quick cocktail and a bit of a “whew, I made it” moment. Then it was off for dinner.

I asked at the front desk and concierge about recommendations for Sushi and they kept recommending the first floor restaurant. I poked my head inside and found your typical New York Style casual style eatery with plastic boxes of prepared sushi similar to anything you might find at Whole Foods or Wild Oats. This was going to be an ongoing challenge during my trip, the assumption that as an American my sushi tolerance was tuna and California Rolls. Since the local team didn’t seem to be much assistance in this I was going to have to set out by foot (which I prefer actually).

I started out on the main strip and found a flurry of neon glow, vending machines for every easy food or drink you would want, bicycles parked everywhere and tons, and tons of people. I had hit the beginning of the post work day and salarymen and salarywomen (term for the white collar workers) were getting their groove on. After cruising the main stretch in Shinjuku without any great prospects I drifted into the side streets where the restaurants magically appeared, along with a number of shops and bars. The neon still and signs were everywhere and so where the people. I circled a few times, taking in the different prospects and then found just what I was looking for. It was a small Sushi restaurant with perhaps 20 chairs. Inside at least half the seats were taken and nothing about it looked tourist. I figured if it was totally empty and this was where there were locals were going then there must be a reason. Inside three sushi chefs worked busily center stage of the u shaped sushi bar and a conveyor belt circled them carrying all sorts of delicious items.

I walked in and their was a cheer from the staff as a greeting and I quickly took a seat at the bar. The cheer, of course, was not just for me as they did this to every person who came in while I was there. My choice of restaurants was a great pick for a number of reasons. First, since other than my phrase book and dictionary I spoke virtually no Japanese this allowed me to just look and grab any dish that cruised by on that awesome conveyor belt without ordering. Second, since I was picking for myself there was no worry that the chef would assume I was intimidated by sushi and give me only the basics. And third, since the folks around me were the locals I could watch their picks and maybe try a favorite or two.

The sushi, for the record, was amazing. I had items in colors and with some light sauces that I had never had before. And talk about fresh, I almost couldn’t pick up the toro because it fell apart like butter in my chopsticks. I had the most amazing white almost translucent squiggle things and some amazing fish I didn’t recognize. The problem of course was that I didn’t know how to say “what is this” and even though I could have looked it up in my phrase book I also didn’t want to interrupt the chefs who were slaving away to keep the conveyor belt full.

And these guys eat FAST. Piles of empty plates soon filled up in front of the other diners at the bar and it didn’t take me long to follow suit. They leave those in front of you as they are your bill, so to speak. Different items cost different amounts (darned if I knew which was which) so the stack in front of you gave them a total when you were done. They had a special powder that you put in a cup and then in the bar every couple seats was a hot water spout to make your own tea. They showed me this when I sat down just to make sure I didn’t mess it up, which of course I would have because I thought the spouts might be for soy. I am not sure if Tokyo has liquor licenses but this place might not of had one since everyone drank only tea, no sake or beer. So on my big splash first night not a drop of sake, only a gallon of green tea. The salaryman to my right was loading up on the raw shrimp, clearly his favorite as it was his bite every other time while the salaryman to my left seemed focused as I was on the variety plan. One of the chefs smiled a few times and checked in to see if I was okay and it was clear that I was not their usual customer and they were enjoying it. The comments I repeatedly heard about how friendly everyone is in Tokyo were totally true.

After creating a respectable pile of mini plates and trying every different item I could find I finally hit my max. I pulled out my phrase book to say “that was delicious” (oy-shi-kat-ta) and one of the ladies circling added up my plates and gave me my bill. I walked to the corner cash register and paid what for dinner something close to the cost of my Hyatt cocktail. No surprise there and certainly an awesome experience.

I left the restaurant and spent a good hour getting lost trying to find my way back to my hotel. Fortunately I spotted the tower and weaved my way to it through the streets. They say Tokyo grew without any plan, buildings popping up wherever they might and streets organically growing in no set order. Plus street addresses are pretty much worthless as they indicate a sector in a grid, then a sector within that grid, and then another sub sector. From there you have to wing it to find your final destination as the actual street numbers don’t go in order. They say that the street numbers in some places indicate the construction year so you can see how that doesn’t help unless you can pick the architecture out specifically. Either way I finally found it, went to my room, and crashed hard. It was a long day and my next days log will start with my jet lag waking me up around 4 am which works perfectly for attending the fish market. I’ll tell that story in the next post as I am about one day behind and now need to set out for some sights.

By the way, sorry for the lack of photos today. I had my camera on me in the cab but left it when my ravenous nature carried me out for my sushi dinner. Many, many more tomorrow.