Your Pie, My Mouth: ANA Hotel, Okayama City, Japan

This meal, this experience, is the essence of why I love Japan so much.

Every detail is known to have an impact on the event. From the lighting to the view as you glance from the table to just simply the amount of time spent eating, talking, communing with other fellow humans is important.

Once again I do not know the name of the restaurant. I do, however, know that it's on the top floor of the ANA hotel in Okayama City, just east of the JR Shinkansen Station.

Great food. A great view. AWESOME guys to enjoy it with. If you have to be away from home there is no better way to spend an evening.

The View

The seating

(sunken floor under the table)

Opposite the window

Nishie-san taking a photo of me taking a photo

Just more

My spot

Bellissimo

Rather rare to have an english version of the menu, but Okayama City is not a small city, so maybe it makes sense? Who knows.

We are having the Autumn Night Sky Course (for those of you who can't read or see...)

Each line in english is a different option for that given course. I'll show you what I had, sofaking good

Of course, beer first

Mantis Shrimp Dressed with Tofu and Sesame Cupped in a Persimmon

Until this dish I significantly disliked persimmon (hated for those of you who aren't overly sensitive to that word....) This was so good that I ate it all, everything, including the persimmon and even the green part on top.

Now the Sake!

We had two kinds, and a different cup for each. No idea what type this is. I do recall, vaguely, that I had a hand in selecting these, and the subsequent ones, but I don't remember. There have been a lot of sake's between then and now.....

Two kinds at a time, cause that's how we roll

Foie Gras Chawan-Mushi

(a savory steamed egg custard with assorted ingredients in a teacup)

and FOIE GRAS on top

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And this is what's inside

Amazing and delicious

One of the best things I've ever eaten

Steamed Matsutake Mushroom and Sea Eel in a Teapot

You squeeze the lime in and then pour the broth into the saucer and drink, and then eat the stuff in the teapot, alternately. Yummmmmmmm.

FYI, Matsutake Mushrooms are one of the most expensive mushrooms, anywhere! Well, at least in Japan. And they are a flavor explosion up in your grill.

Two more, because we can

This was my least favorite. It was just kinda boring after the previous big flavors.

A Medley of Grilled, Citrus-Scented, Butter Fish.

Yeah, maybe one more

Three Pieces of Flame-Grilled Sushi

And the star of the show!

Aka (red) Miso

This is my favorite thing to eat on the planet. This and a side of white rice. Typically this is the last course of the meal, prior to any desert course that is. It really is big on flavor and just sort of tops off the tank, filling you with the most splendid, rich, deep miso flavor, almost burnt, nutty. I am salivating as I write this and day dreaming about the next chance that I might have to eat this again.