I've noticed some things about certain Japanese restaurants in NY. They discriminate. Some discriminate against Japanese customers while others discriminate against non-Japanese customers.
It is customary in the States to leave a tip at a restaurant for good service (and lets leave aside the discussion on whether one should or should not leave a tip for bad or no service for another day). However, in many countries, tipping is not something that is part of their daily routine, including Japan. So tipping at restaurants in New York is not easy for many Japanese patrons. And it may be that some Japanese patrons do not leave tips when they go out to eat in New York - whether because they are not used to doing it, or they feel awkward about it, or that they are simply too cheap. What I have heard from my friends is that some Japanese restaurants will "add" the tip on the check if the patrons are Japanese while they do not if the patrons are non-Japanese. There are many restaurants that ill add 18% grantuity for parties of X or more. And they are indicated on the menu upfront. What I'm referring to here is that if the wait person hears Japanese spoken at a table, they will "add" the tip. I have never experienced this personally (as I typically speak English), I have friends who have and they were not very happy about this.
Another discrimination is something that I experienced personally. I had my in-laws visiting from Japan and was trying to make a lunch reservation at a particular Japanese restaurant in Midtown. They responded that they do not take lunch reservation unless we pre-order a set lunch menu at price of more than $35 per person. So I declined. A colleague of mine tried to make a lunch reservation there as well - with the same response. However, another colleague of mine had no problem making a lunch reservation without committing to the $35 lunch. So why the different treatment? My suspicion is that the restaurant will take reservation fron Japanese patrons but not from non-Japanese patrons. When I make the reservation I asked in English, as did the first colleague. The second colleague asked in Japanese.
Completely different kinds of discrimination - one against Japanese and the other against non-Japanese. But it shames me to think that Japanese restaurants owned and managed by Japanese would engage in such discriminatory practices.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
2005 David Bruce Pinot Noir Central Coast
David Bruce Winery - named for its founder, a retired dermatologist, which started making wine in the 1960's in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The winery is know for its pinot noirs, not only from Santa Cruz Mountains but also from Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
I was on my way home from work and stopped by the local wine shop and found the 2005 Central Coast Pinot Noir. I had heard about this winery so I decided to give it a try.
Aroma of cherry and a hint of liqurish welcome me when opened the wine. The taste did not dissapoint either. Its fruity flavor is well balanced with tannin at the end. It has a hint of chocolate and apple.
I was on my way home from work and stopped by the local wine shop and found the 2005 Central Coast Pinot Noir. I had heard about this winery so I decided to give it a try.
Aroma of cherry and a hint of liqurish welcome me when opened the wine. The taste did not dissapoint either. Its fruity flavor is well balanced with tannin at the end. It has a hint of chocolate and apple.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Rosa Mexicano
We felt like Mexican. So we went to Rosa Mexicano on First Avenue based on a friend's recommendation. When we got there around 6:00pm, the place was already packed and a long line waiting. The hostess said the wait was approximately an hour and a half. Luckily we had made a reservation so we were immediately seated.
This is an upscale Mexican restaurant - not your local Taco Bell for sure. We were greeted by friendly staff and they were all attentive and fast. I started off with the pomegranate margarita. It was like any other pomegranate drinks out there these days. Not bad, but it was hard to taste the pomegranate.
As an appetizer, we had the Guacamole en Molcajete. Freshly made by the table side. One of the staff came by with a cart with the ingredients on one side and a pile of avocados on the other. He mixed and grounded chopped onions, hot peppers, and cilantro. Then mixed in chopped tomatoes and a whole avocados. Little bit of salt and we had a bowl of fresh guacamole. It was wonderfully delicious. Chunks of avocados were tasty. It was quite good with flour tortillas made fresh in the restaurants. In fact you can see couple of staff persons making them in the corner of the restaurant.
The main dish did not dissapoint. I had the Enchiladas de Jaiba - or crab meat enchiladas. Two corn tortilla wrapped jumbo lump crab meats topped with creamy tomallio sauce. The best way to describe it is - Mexican crab cake. And a very taste crab cake. The meat was quite big and tasty. Went well with the corn tortillas. The sauce was not over powering.
It was certainly an upscale Mexican. The tab was on a higher side - when comparing to what you typically pay for Mexican food. But it was well worth it and certainly will go back again for good Mexican food.
It is a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation - especially on weekends. Rosa Mexicano is also listed in Open Table.
Rosa Mexicano
1063 First Avenue at 58th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 753-7407
This is an upscale Mexican restaurant - not your local Taco Bell for sure. We were greeted by friendly staff and they were all attentive and fast. I started off with the pomegranate margarita. It was like any other pomegranate drinks out there these days. Not bad, but it was hard to taste the pomegranate.
As an appetizer, we had the Guacamole en Molcajete. Freshly made by the table side. One of the staff came by with a cart with the ingredients on one side and a pile of avocados on the other. He mixed and grounded chopped onions, hot peppers, and cilantro. Then mixed in chopped tomatoes and a whole avocados. Little bit of salt and we had a bowl of fresh guacamole. It was wonderfully delicious. Chunks of avocados were tasty. It was quite good with flour tortillas made fresh in the restaurants. In fact you can see couple of staff persons making them in the corner of the restaurant.
The main dish did not dissapoint. I had the Enchiladas de Jaiba - or crab meat enchiladas. Two corn tortilla wrapped jumbo lump crab meats topped with creamy tomallio sauce. The best way to describe it is - Mexican crab cake. And a very taste crab cake. The meat was quite big and tasty. Went well with the corn tortillas. The sauce was not over powering.
It was certainly an upscale Mexican. The tab was on a higher side - when comparing to what you typically pay for Mexican food. But it was well worth it and certainly will go back again for good Mexican food.
It is a good idea to call ahead and make a reservation - especially on weekends. Rosa Mexicano is also listed in Open Table.
Rosa Mexicano
1063 First Avenue at 58th Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 753-7407
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Oh Mammamia Restaurant
It looks like a sportsbar from the outside. And I've always wanted to try out this small Italian place in the Upper East Side. The place always attract a good crowd, especially on the weekend. When the weather is nice, the patrons are overflowing out to the street side patio. So we finally decided to give this place a try. We went there early so the crowd had not yet began to fill the place.
The place is small but gives you a warm and cozy feel. The noise level was on loud, but it added to the family ambiance of the restaurant and was not a bother. The service was great. Attentive and the manager came by periodically to check to make sure that we were taken care of. It gave you the feel of true Italian family-style dining.
We order Insalata Alla Ricotta to start off. It was a very simply mixed green salad sprinkled with shaved ricotta salata covering the greens. Rasberry vinaigrette dressing was on a light side, but was actually the right amount as it complemented the saltiness of the ricotta cheese. It was simple but quite good.
I had the Spaghetti alle Vongole. It was clams (already out of the shell) in wine sauce with chopped anchovies and basil. The sauce was not over powering. It went well with the saltiness of the anchovies and clams. The portion was large, but I was able to finish it all. The pasta was cooked just right, not over cooked.
For dessert, we tried out the tiramisu. It was a large piece and one of the best. It was not too sweet. And the angle cake was not soggy, so really enjoyed the taste of the cake mixed with the taste of cappuccino.
Oh Mammamia is also has a good selection of brick-oven baked pizzas. We saw some of the pizzas that other patrons ordered and they looked really good. This place was a winner and will go back again. Next time to try the pizza. It is a good idea to either make a reservation or come early. By the time we were finished, the place was packed!
********
Oh Mammamia Restaurant
1471 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 288-4045
Note: Takes only American Express
The place is small but gives you a warm and cozy feel. The noise level was on loud, but it added to the family ambiance of the restaurant and was not a bother. The service was great. Attentive and the manager came by periodically to check to make sure that we were taken care of. It gave you the feel of true Italian family-style dining.
We order Insalata Alla Ricotta to start off. It was a very simply mixed green salad sprinkled with shaved ricotta salata covering the greens. Rasberry vinaigrette dressing was on a light side, but was actually the right amount as it complemented the saltiness of the ricotta cheese. It was simple but quite good.
I had the Spaghetti alle Vongole. It was clams (already out of the shell) in wine sauce with chopped anchovies and basil. The sauce was not over powering. It went well with the saltiness of the anchovies and clams. The portion was large, but I was able to finish it all. The pasta was cooked just right, not over cooked.
For dessert, we tried out the tiramisu. It was a large piece and one of the best. It was not too sweet. And the angle cake was not soggy, so really enjoyed the taste of the cake mixed with the taste of cappuccino.
Oh Mammamia is also has a good selection of brick-oven baked pizzas. We saw some of the pizzas that other patrons ordered and they looked really good. This place was a winner and will go back again. Next time to try the pizza. It is a good idea to either make a reservation or come early. By the time we were finished, the place was packed!
********
Oh Mammamia Restaurant
1471 2nd Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 288-4045
Note: Takes only American Express
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