Tuna Festival at Mitsuwa

Under food:

Mitsuwa Marketplace
www.mitsuwa.com
595 River Rd
Edgewater, NJ 07020
(201) 941-9113

This weekend, we headed for the Giant Tuna Festival at Mitsuwa. I belive they have this event once a year, during fall, where they have a live demonstration of how a giant tuna (400+ lb) in its whole fish form gets to the sushi- and sashimi-size that most people recognize. The process is quite an undertaking.

We arrived early for the noontime exhibition and perused the kiosk that was set up for this occasion. On hand was the already-decapitated giant tuna head, which filled a goodly sized bucket. This would make great sour fish soup, but it won't fit in our fridge.

Giant tuna head on ice. I think this was on sale for $200. This particular fish was 400lb.

To kill some time, we wandered around the supermarket area and snagged some lunch at the food court before the action started. Once a crowd started building, we hurried along to get a prime spot.

This is the body of the tuna. Some prepwork was apparently done behind the scenes (gutting and removing the head), which was probably messy. Doesn't it look like an alien pod fromthis angle?

Alas, we were a bit slow as the fish butchers (fishmongers?) had already filleted one side. One team started cutting slabs for sashimi-grade tuna already.

Sushi-grade tuna in foreground. See that nice hunk of ruby red meat he's trimming? Three grades of sushi tuna were available, from toro ($60+/llb) to lesser cuts. Even novice that I am, I could see that the marbling on the better cuts was finer and more even. I guess that's why toro is like butter in your mouth.

It was a pretty involved process trying to cut the meat as close to the bone as possible. The fish butchers had to take frequent breaks too.




The sushi that they were making fresh on the spot was limited to only three per person. The cut is not from the fatty toro part, but neverhteless, it had a very silky and unctuous feel. That's the difference that real fresh fish has!

Take me to Takahachi!!!

Under food:

Takahachi

85 Avenue A

New York, NY 10009

(212) 505-6524

http://www.takahachi.net/

This place has staying power. I remember coming here back when we when this area was rough around the edges. We were always broke back then but we wanted to still hang out "in the city"... As with all sushi joints, the size of the sushi has gotten smaller over the years, but Takahachi continues to deliver fresh, fresh fish.

I usually get the bento box. It comes with a nice array of tempura, a piece of fried salmon fillet, your choice of sushi or sashimi, a little salad, and dessert--- all very prettily arranged. The chirachi is not bad, either. DJKung prefers the beef skewers and the nabeyaki udon.

On this particular visit, we were in the mood for something different. We ordered some items from the seasonal menu.

Fried flounder. This dish is simply divine. The fillets are crispy golden on the outside, juicy on the inside. The bones are fried separately and are crunchy. Served with a citrus-soy sauce.



Fried vegetable tempura. (I think we were craving fried food that night). Their tempura is one of the best I have tried around, very light batter, very crispy, and cooked just right.


Fried shrimp. This is shrimp dipped in batter and fried, but without the panko crumbs. Nevertheless, it is light and crispy. It is served with a thin mayo-based sauce. (Yeah, I think we were really craving fried food.)

Onigiri special. Their daily special is served between 5pm and 7pm, and is a very good deal. That night, I had squid tentacles and greens (broccoli rabe?) and tuna over rice.

Sashimi platter ordered by DJKung.

If you have some spare cash and are jonesing for something new, give their tasting menu a shot. This is a five-course gustatory adventure and the dishes are impressive. We tried it some time ago, and I can no longer remember the specific things we had. There was a sorbet in the middle. And a dish of cute napoleon-like constructs of sushi in the end. Everything was very pretty and quite delish. On the other hand, if you are hungry, the dishes are tiny and not at all filling.

On a final note, the music here is quite notable for a restaurant. Not that the music is throbbing or in-your-face, but rather, it seems to match the mood. We learnt of a great band, Hauschka, from one of our visits here.

Viva Floridita!!!

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Floridita

3219 Broadway New York, NY 10027
(212) 662-0090‎
(800) 201-0090‎ - Toll Free

We ran into Floridita while trying to look for parking in the area. Floridita is in a squat industrial-looking building in a rather desolate area close to the West Side Highway. The beaten-up exterior, neon signage "Cuban diner" (intriguing!) and the double-parked row of cabs looked promising.

As promised, Floridita is a bona fide Cuban diner, of the old style kind. It felt like a true Miami joint, with a lot of regulars from the neighborhood. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by a display case of Cubanos ready to go.

The menu seems geared for breakfast, although there was a lot of dinner traffic. The daily specials looked really good. For apps, we ordered sopa de garbanzos, papas fritas, and chorizo a la plancha.

Papas fritas.



Chorizos a la plancha. DJKung found the flavor to be reminescent of the sausages he had in Spain.

Sopa de garbanzos. I'm not sure how they make the sauce bright yellow (achiote?), but it is mightily flavored with smoked pork hocks. Along with some bread and butter, this was a meal in itself.

For our main dishes, I ordered arroz con calamares and DJKung ordered oxtail with rice and beans.

Arroz con calamares. The rice is delicately flavored with squid ink and onions. It comes out in this nice metal pot, like the kind you steam rice with. The little bits of chopped squid were tender and flavorful. Overall, a slammin' dish.



Oxtail with rice and black beans (in bowl). DjKung loved the oxtail, which is fried. The beans, which I tried, was full of smoky goodness.

We were too full for dessert. They had some lovely cakes sitting at the counter (on cakestands like in old diners, instead of in a display case). I'm sure one of them was tres leches. DJKung had cafe con leche ("now that's f---in' coffee!" he remarked). It was nutty, balanced and delicious.

This was a great find, and we'll certainly be back to try the other daily specials. And the cake, too.

Fine sushi at Fuki

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Fuki Japanese Restaurant

828 Kinderkamack Road

River Edge, NJ 07661

(201) 225-0162

(201) 261-6400 (fax)


I think Fuki has been our de facto sushi joint since moving to Bergen County this year. We were really attracted to the very homey setting that this joint has---it looks like a lovely jewel in an otherwise busy suburban road. It kinda reminded us a lot of little mom-and-pop joints that we've visited when we went to Japan. Plus, this place always seemed busy, with both eat-in and take-away customers. Always a good sign.


We've only tried a few things on the menu. Most of the dishes that we've tried were simply... average.











Tempura appetizer. Two pieces of shrimp, eggplant, sweet potato and zucchini. I thought it was a bit greasy, although it's probably because I'm very partial to panko crumbs.







Nevertheless, our reason for coming back to Fuki is the sushi and sashimi for two. It comes with a roll of tekka maki (tuna) and a california roll (palate cleansers). The other sushi pieces (14) are quite fresh, and the kitchen does not skimp on the size of the pieces. The sashimi (also 14) is generous. Speaking from experience, the chirachi was not even close.









The sushi and sashimi for two comes with salad (watery iceberg with a sweet ginger sauce) and miso soup.
























Sushi and sashimi for two. The scale is really off in this picture; it is much more generous than it looks. It includes salmon sashimi, salmon sushi, yellowtail sushi, tuna sushi, eel sushi, tekka maki rolls. california rolls, yellowtail sashimi, tuna sashimi. Very filling!









We've tried other items in the menu, inlcuding the hamachi collar (yellowtail collar) and the nabeyaki udon. Like the chirachi, both left us underwhelmed. The sushi/sashimi is the best pick that we've tried so far.


Fuki is BYOB, so you can have the kitchen hold on to your favorite mega bottle of sake. They also have a loyalty program, where frequent customers get discounts.

Four paws for Palisades Interstate Park!

Under furs:

Last weekend was simply gorgeous for a field meeting for the Ultimate Fun Club. We've read that the Palisades Interstate Park is great for hiking with your furry friends, so we went to check out the hype.

Palisades Interstate Park has a lot to offer. For geology buffs, there's plenty of interesting rock formations and gorgeous cliffs. For history buffs, the park has markers where the British forces tried to pursue George Washington's troops they tried to flee Fort Lee. And for us, well, there's lot of rocks and trails to investigate.

We parked at the Alpine Boat Basin. Entrance is free, and they have picnic areas overlooking the Hudson River. Furs are allowed on the trails as long as they are leashed. It alsoo looked like camping was allowed, but we need to look into it more. Since it was already late in the season, there were not a lot of boats moored. Some kayakers, were out, though.

Of course everybody was so excited. Babams just jumped out of the car and leaped on the storm wall (trying to be like Chibby, no doubt). Unfortunately, Babams did not know that it was just water on the other side, and from his sheer momentum, promptly fell in.

Babams on the wrong side of the fence. He's the shiny-looking rock on the water. Chibby is of course is showing how to properly balance, and not fall in. DJKung was panicking, and I had to perform a daring rescue.

After the rescue. Babams was not too fazed, I think.

We were prepared with poopie bags and of course, our handy-dandy "Hudson Palisades Trails" published by the Trail Conference. We decided to take the white trail, which runs along the water, and headed south. The fall foliage was very pretty.

Babams and DJKung enjoying the hike.

Who da top dawg in Palisades?

Oddly enough, we did not run into too many hikers on the white trail. We relaxed a little bit on a nice stretch of beach and played a few rounds of fetch.

"By the powers vested in me by The Ultimate Fun Club, I claim this beach for the use of all furry animals now and in all perpetuity."

Admiring the river view.

Back on the trail.

From the Alpine Boat Basin to the end of the white trail, I'd say it took us about 45 minutes, including the rest break at the beach. The white trail was pretty flat, at the river level. Some parts were rocky, and other areas had stone steps.

We then made a right to the red trail, which zigzagged uphill, till we got to the Alpine Lookout. The official altimeter reading at the top was 560 feet.

Small lookout close to the Alpine Lookout.

The Alpine Lookout is accessible from a rest stop/parking area off of the Palisades Parkway. We encountered a lot of daytrippers and tourists from that area. The view is of the upper reaches of Manhattan, maybe Yonkers.

At the end of the red trail, we took the teal trail. This was the lengthiest part of our hike. It was a neverending single track trail that went alongside the highway. So it was unnerving to hear the cars whizzing close. What was interesting with this trail was that we passed by so many stone fences, some of which looked pretty old. DJKung pointed out that plateau farming was attempted in the area. We saw remnants of old stone retaining walls, dirt roads and waterways are visible

From the teal trail, we took the orange trail going down. It was a bit steep with a lot of loose rocks, and led right back down to the boat basin. We saw quite a few people fishing at the bottom.

Sheridan House, which is an old log house/museum, is another attraction. What's great about this cute small house is that it is completely open to visitors. You can go in, touch the furniture (but don't open anything), and gawk at how homes were like back then.

Sheridan House. I wish I took a better picture. This house has a six-foot tall ceiling, so this picture makes it look much bigger. It looks more like a dollhouse, actually. There is also an outhouse outside, and a bid hunk of rock inscripted with the date it fell from the cliff (circa 1600s).

The hike, about 8 miles, took us roughly three and a half hours. Great walk, great views... we're definitely going back!

No Yawns at Highlawn [Pavillion]

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Highlawn Pavillion

Eagle Rock Reservation

West Orage, NJ

(973) 731-3463

http://www.highlawn.com/

Yup, it was a really busy weekend for the Ultimate Fun Club. We capped it off with a lovely birthday dinner at Highlawn Pavillion. The place is fancy-fancy, but hey, you only turn 35 once.

Bread basket. It came with three types of bread.

We got the seafood sampler, sweetbreads and the oyster appetizer, a great start. DJKung ordered a bottle of merlot suggested by the waiter. Don't remember what it was, but we agreed it was rather forgettable. Later on, we ordered wine by the glass, and were happier with our selections. It should be mentioned that the wine list was extensive, although pricey.

Samples from the sea. From top left: jumbo shrimp and some white fleshed fish in cocktail glass; charred prawn in little glass; snow crab legs (shells; I was too slow with the camera), oyster, vinaigrette.

Martha's Vineyard oysters with tarragon mingonette. I was disappointed these babies looked rather sunken in their shells, but they were quite fresh, briny and minerally.

Sweetbreads. This was a special that day. Thyroid and other organ meats were either braised or broiled with a meaty sauce. DJKung never tried this before, and he was very pleased. It reminded him of head cheese and innards. JBean, our adventurous friend, had a bite and said it was surprisingly sweet!

For our main dishes, all of us tried different things. DJKung and his pops got the cote bu boeuf. I ordered the cod. Tikoy got the pork tenderloin and JBean ordered the striped bass. We finished every bite.

Striped bass. It looks like it was broiled and laid on top of some tender veggies (asparagus, mushrooms, potatoes).

Apricot-stuffed pork tenderloin with Armagnac sauce. Served with green beans.

Cote du boeuf. They were rather particular as to how it was cooked and brought out the steak for DJKung to check before cutting it up (a big piece that was for two). Although it was cooked divinely, it was kinda disappointing that the portion was kinda small. I guess every place makes this differently; other spots make it stew-style.

This was my dish, Chatham cod with french white beans, mushroom and chorizo with basil sauce.

For dessert, we got the chocolate bombe, apple tart and creme brulee.

Top: chocolate bombe with raspberry sorbet and dark chocolate sauce. Middle: apple tart with vanilla ice cream. Bottom: creme brulee three flavors (very light): vanilla with raspberry, vanilla, and dark chocolate.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FURRY FACE!

Woo-hoo for Wondee's!

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Wondee's

296 Main St

Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 883-1700

http://www.wondeenj.com/

Wondee's has been a mainstay of the SUPERROTATION for quite some time now. We are hardly ever disappointed when we come here. It was quite packed last Saturday night. If you've ever been in downtown Hackensack after dark, the area is pretty dead. This is one of the few vibrant spots in town.

DJ Kung was not too hungry, so he ordered the chicken wings (being mindful of Chibby) and pad ped (duck salad).

Fried chicken wings. I dunno, it looks rather generic to me. DJKung assured me that it is good. He IS rather picky of chicken, and we do have a 1-10 ratings scale. He rates this as a "6 1/2."

Pad ped (duck salad). DJKung really likes the duck salad here. Notice how generous the vegetables are---very healthy.

I ordered the papaya salad and the pad thai. I think the kitchen is pretty mindful of the local palate, because they've been easy on the spice. The best papaya salad I've had included A LOT of bird's eye peppers and was sweet, salty and mouth-puckeringly sour. Wondee's version is much milder, with most of the elements toned down. I love how crunchy the julienned papaya is, and how the papaya juices meld with the limes, sugar, peanuts and fish sauce. You bet I was slurping the bottom of the plate!

Papaya salad. It's a pretty healthy serving too; I was full after finishing this!

Everyone makes pad thai differently. I think Wondee's base uses soy sauce.

We were too full for dessert. I do remember at one time we ordered fried ice cream. This was such a novelty to us---an abberation within the laws of physics. It was actually a ball of hard packed ice cream in a thick, deep fried batter. So. Mystery solved.