663851 Sun Nov 01 06:30:34 -0800 2009 8 45 Japan 0 5146479 Anyone been to Yamada Chikara? Sun Nov 01 06:30:34 -0800 2009 1120794 sg_foodie 1 5147537 Not yet. I have reservations for the evening of December 8th. Sun Nov 01 15:11:26 -0800 2009 5146479 234190 BaronDestructo 2 5154271 I have reservations for November 18th! One of my friends thought it was great, so we're going back (it's Terry, actually - I bet you've seen his blog). Look us up if you have time when you're here. Wed Nov 04 03:15:58 -0800 2009 5147537 248799 jem589 3 5157204 Is it this one: http://gaishoku.blogspot.com/2008/09/star-is-born-yamada-chikara.html? That's what originally got me interested in checking it out (I'll be in Tokyo in Feb). Let us know how your meal there goes! Wed Nov 04 21:34:35 -0800 2009 5154271 1120794 sg_foodie 3 5169069 I'm getting into town the last week of November. Would love to grab lunch or dinner if you and Terry are free. Mon Nov 09 20:25:50 -0800 2009 5154271 234190 BaronDestructo 4 5187204 SG, that's it. I'm pretty sure we're canceling this week, unfortunately, but Terry's very keen to go, so we may still get it done. Re: the comment below, I think it's not at all similar to Molecular Bar - YC seems more like a few molecular techniques imported into kaiseki, while TMB is focused on showmanship . BD, that week might be a little busy but I also would love to get together. Just email or post something on my blog. Mon Nov 16 18:30:24 -0800 2009 5169069 248799 jem589 5 5190388 Are there any other similar restaurants doing kaiseki with molecular techniques other than YC and Ryugin? I was extremely impressed with Aronia de Takazawa earlier this year, but I'd say Takazawa-san's cuisine is closer to the French part of the spectrum. Tue Nov 17 20:21:55 -0800 2009 5187204 1120794 sg_foodie 1 5167507 Their website says it's expensive, but does anyone know how much it is? Do they have a tasting menu? I have been eyeing at El Bulli for a while, so if this chef worked for Chef Adria, I'd be really excited to try this! We are stopping thru Tokyo for 1 night in December (Christmas night). Worth making a reservation at this place? We are currently considering the Molecular Tapas bar the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Mon Nov 09 11:22:07 -0800 2009 5146479 61490 pgwiz1 2 5182739 When we ate there in the spring, the menu was (IIRC) ¥16,000. By the time everything was added on (couple of tokkuri of sake; ceremonial matcha at the end) the total was ¥52,000 for two. It was very good and visually stunning, but it's a small place with just a single counter and it really depends who how discreet (or boisterous, as in our case) your neighbors are. Sun Nov 15 05:42:42 -0800 2009 5167507 1124665 zaijin