Appetito, Okayama City, Japan, Neapolitan Pizza

Pizza in Japan is becoming a mega industry.  New places are cropping up everywhere, and somehow they are really nailing it (Japan being nowhere near Italy).  

Cool ambience, bitchen ovens, creative take on what they offer, crafting something that is based in authentic neapolitan traditions yet infusing something that is uniquely Japanese.

My two friends Shunsuke and Ai took me to this place, I believe their favorite pizza place, the other day and I cannot wait to go back.  Super fricken cool, and delicious.

Here's both the place and my pals

Proudly displayed official seal of the Napoletana Pizza Authority, etc.. or something like that.  Means that they are doing the real deal, officially approved by Italy, or something...

The oven

Work space

Standard

Salumi and bread with olive oil, and mozzarella 

yeah, yummmmmm

Beautiful

Some antipasti containing octopus, salmon, squid, carrot, olives, spinach. 

Interesting, delicious, a Japanese twist on an Italian classic

The one to the left is a nut bread thing (no idea what it really contained or the name)

On the right was a fried fish with a relish or salsa or ????

Both were delicious

Margherita pizza

Fantastic crust, a little heavy on the cheese and sauce, but a very good pizza

Cheese, sausage, broccoli

Yummmmmm  (but the margherita was better, just sayin)

And we shared a pasta as well  Very good, everything here was VERY good

Yeah, pizza w chopsticks, it happens.....

This was some sort of seafood boulliabasse.  Whole fish underneath clams and a large langostino and whole small squid, all in a wonderful broth and tomato thing.  I want to eat the keyboard off my laptop just thinking about how good this was!

BOOM!

Duck and potato puree

On to the desert

Shunsuke had gelato

I had tiramisu

Ai had pana cotta

Espresso

Bellisimo

 Cool guys

WAY cooler guy

Eat more pie, especially Japanese pie

DVA

Japan Air, Business Class

I wish I knew how to say "Free Upgrade"  in Japan, cause that's what this was and it was nice.

But let's back up a little so I can give a bit more of the story...

I was headed back to Japan, and going via JAL again, the San Diego to Tokyo direct flight.  This time, unlike the last flight a few weeks ago, the Dreamliner was back in service, bigger, better plane than the previous one.  And, it was JAL, so everything is awesome and the attentants are nice and  helpful and everything is just, well, Japanesey.  I like.  And so, I got upgraded, for free, at the check-in counter.  Not sure why or how, but I did.  It looked like coach was oversold and they needed to move me up to make room for other paying passengers, and business class was only about half full.  Man, I hope this happens on the way back, cause this shit was awesome!

Let's start with the comfort

Fully adjustable seat, folding all the way down to a bed

Nice suede slippers

Cardigan and Bose headset to use for the flight

Loaner cardigans???  Was kinda weird, but hey, comfort is comfort

Warm towel for my face

No window shades.  You simply touch a button and the windows darken

???? I was like, how does that work ????

Yes, please bring me the drink cart

Amuse-Bouche

Carrot puree with sea urchin and bread sticks

and

Potato salad with chicken teriyaki

Both were really delicious

Specialty cocktail for this route (SD to Tokyo)

"Michizane"

Plum wine and gin mixed with lime juice

Was really good 

For dinner I selected the Japanese dinner.

Rather than explain what was what, small bites of many things, here's the program so you know the players:

Before

And after

It also came with braised beef, rice, miso soup

a little tea to wash it down

Coconut pudding

Mid-flight I enjoyed a cheese plate and some wine

I also had a truffle a bit later

JAL is great

Business class (free upgrade) is great

Traveling is great

See the world, eat food

DVA

Sukiyaki, Akihabara, Tokyo

Beef Sukiyaki

Beef and vegetables cooked in a Japanese hot pot with a very thick and flavorful broth, then dipped in a beaten raw egg and slurped up.  Delish!

The name of the place? No idea

The location of the place?  No idea

Well, that's not altogether true.  We are near, about a 15 minute walk, from Akihabara, Tokyo.  Which direction?  I'm clueless.  I do know that the restaurant is about 140 years old, from what I was told.  It was a beautiful place built of stone and old wood with wandering pathways shaded by wispy trees and spotted with koi ponds.  A magical setting.

The meal was presented in stages, typically Japanese, and before we knew it we were eating and drinking and laughing our asses off. 

Here are a few photos

The first course was some sort of gently cook beef that was super tender and finely chopped

Taco salad

Hahaha!  (Octopus in Japanese is Taco.... for those of you that didn't get that...)

Standard sashimi

But really fresh and great

Yes, Sake please!

This stuff was SOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!!!!!!!

I think we had 6 bottles between the 4 of us.  Really great high-end sake.  Dry, smooth, fresh.

 Next was some kind of fish and ginger root. Also very delicious

 Now on to the sukiyaki

Here's the veg

Here's the meat

Yeah, pretty amazing

No comment from me on the next photo....

It all goes into the pot and cooks slowly in front of us.  

Ever turning and browning, carmelizing, reducing, 

My egg

Mix it up

Hot pot is done

Load a mouthful into the egg and slurp away

Everything is better when you're having fun.  We were clearly having fun

The first tray of beef is caput!

Out comes more.  So soft and tender and amazing.  Really an unbelievable meal

Washed down with more of this......mmmmmmmmm

Here's the last batch

And my favorite part of any meal in Japan, the rice course at the end.  Same as the previous night, rice and broth

Notice the small dab of wasabi placed on the underside of the lid.   I thought that was pretty cool.

The intent is to mix it into to the rice/soup if you so desire

A perfect slice of ripe mellon to finish off the night.

Sukiyaki?  Suki-yummy!

Eat good food.  Try something new.  Just get it in your mouth and go!

DVA