2015 Christmas tree in W Guangzhou, Living room
2015 Christmas tree in W Guangzhou, Living room
Dec 13, 2015
Yamagata Premium Sake Dinner 山形県銘酒特別酒ディナー懐石 11.28 2015
In November 28, 2015, "Yamagata Premium Sake Dinner" in I by Inagiku, W Guangzhou!
5 different types of Premium Sake from Yamagata prefecture, pairing with 8 courses Seasonal Kaiseki Set, including Yamagata's specialty dish "Imo-Ni" -simmered baby taro with wagyu beef-.
I have started preparing this event back in July. Working together with a sake supplier introduced by a Japanese chef, Chef Yamada, from Inagiku in Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre.
Started from trying out several different types of Sake and select the ones which are unique, different to each others and yet go perfectly well with my food.
And, at the end, I have decided to go with the Award Wining Sake from Yamagata prefecture and create a Yamagata themed kaiseki set menu.
After picked those 5 different types of Award Wining Sake, made by two different sake brewer, one is "Ginrei Gassan" and other is "Toko", I drafted the Kaiseki set menu for the Sake dinner and send it out to those two sake brewer. I am a professional cook but those people from the brewer know which sake go with what kind of food, better than me. So, I need to show them the menu and make sure the food and their sake goes well (After listening to their opinions, I actually made a miner change on the menu).
Before the Sake dinner, we also have scheduled a training session for the service staff. The training conducted by the sake supplier and also a president of the sake brewer "Toko" from Yamagata prefecture. He even brouhgt his company's signature "Toko Sake Facial Mask" as a give away gift for the sake dinner guests!
Thanks to all the support I got from the supplier, Sake brewers, a friend/Japanese chef and the hard work from my team, both service and kitchen, the Sake dinner event was very successful and, most importantly, all the guests who came for this event have enjoyed the night and been happy!!
Fresh seasonal ingredients and Collection of Sake cups and bottle/carafe made in Japan
Sake tasting in July.
Selected sake list for the sake dinner
Ginrei Gassan "Sechu Jukusei" Junmai Ginjo & Junmai Dai Ginjo (1st and 2nd from the left)
Toko "Karakuchi" Junmai Dai Ginjo, Daiginjo and Ginjo "Umeshu" (3rd, 4th and 5th from the left)
After picked those 5 different types of Award Wining Sake, made by two different sake brewer, one is "Ginrei Gassan" and other is "Toko", I drafted the Kaiseki set menu for the Sake dinner and send it out to those two sake brewer. I am a professional cook but those people from the brewer know which sake go with what kind of food, better than me. So, I need to show them the menu and make sure the food and their sake goes well (After listening to their opinions, I actually made a miner change on the menu).
Sake knowledge training in private dining room "Ume"
Before the Sake dinner, we also have scheduled a training session for the service staff. The training conducted by the sake supplier and also a president of the sake brewer "Toko" from Yamagata prefecture. He even brouhgt his company's signature "Toko Sake Facial Mask" as a give away gift for the sake dinner guests!
Thanks to all the support I got from the supplier, Sake brewers, a friend/Japanese chef and the hard work from my team, both service and kitchen, the Sake dinner event was very successful and, most importantly, all the guests who came for this event have enjoyed the night and been happy!!
"Happi" jacket from the sake brewers (left), Award Wining Sake for the Sake dinner (right)
Beautiful fresh "Toro" tuna belly for the Sake dinner
Trimmed "Toro" tuna belly for the Sake dinner, ready for Sashimi
"Junmai Dai Ginjo" Sake Facial Mask by Yamagata's Sake Brewer "Toko"
Dec 2, 2015
Spice Market Doha ｢スパイスマーケット｣ ドーハ
A restaurant in W Doha, "Spice Market", inspired by the street food found in South-East Asia, Jean-Georges Vongerichten inspires us with a fusion of authentic cuisine served in a casual sexy atmosphere.
The last day of my task force assignment, W Doha's culinary team has invited me to their award wining restaurant Spice Market for their famous Friday Brunch.
It started from welcome drink -sparkling wine- and the food was just astonishing! In turms of both the quality and the variety of food. Selection of Indian curries, Thai's freshly made spring rolls, Chinise wok fried rice and noodles, Japanese sushi and tempura... and more!!
Great food with the live band music make the Friday just perfect.
Well, previously, I have been posting about the city of Doha (* Task Force Doha, Qatar -1-,
Task Force Doha, Qatar -2--), W Doha and their restaurants (* W Doha Hotel & Residences) but just to remind you that I was there on a mission. Look after their Japanese section in Spice Market and also Market and teach those young boys how to do the things in real traditional Japanese way.
I also have worked together with their sushi chef and made some New Style, Innovative Sushi that might be suitable for the place. You would probably see those sushi in Japan, never and ever!
Entrance of the restaurant (left top), Friday Brunch's cold food selection (left bottom, right)
The last day of my task force assignment, W Doha's culinary team has invited me to their award wining restaurant Spice Market for their famous Friday Brunch.
It started from welcome drink -sparkling wine- and the food was just astonishing! In turms of both the quality and the variety of food. Selection of Indian curries, Thai's freshly made spring rolls, Chinise wok fried rice and noodles, Japanese sushi and tempura... and more!!
Great food with the live band music make the Friday just perfect.
Restaurant's main dining hall (left), bar area (right)
Restaurant's dining area
Dessert and fruit selections
Wok fry live cooking station (left), fresh seafood on ice station (right)
Indian curry selection (left), BBQ meat selection (right)
Live Paratha cooking station
Freshly made Paratha by the chef at the live cooking station
Well, previously, I have been posting about the city of Doha (* Task Force Doha, Qatar -1-,
Task Force Doha, Qatar -2--), W Doha and their restaurants (* W Doha Hotel & Residences) but just to remind you that I was there on a mission. Look after their Japanese section in Spice Market and also Market and teach those young boys how to do the things in real traditional Japanese way.
I also have worked together with their sushi chef and made some New Style, Innovative Sushi that might be suitable for the place. You would probably see those sushi in Japan, never and ever!
Crispy salmon sushi roll with almond chips (left),
Tomato croquette -stuffed seafood sushi rice-(right top),
Spicy seafood sushi spring roll (right bottom)
Their original maki rolls in Spice Market and Market,
Spicy Salmon (left), Yuzu Infused Shrimp Tempura (right)
Dec 1, 2015
W Doha Hotel & Residences W ドーハ ホテル＆ レジデンス
W Doha Exterior of the Hotel Entrance (left) and the W logo at outside the Residence (right)
W Doha was open in 2009 with 291 hotel guest rooms, including 31 suites and 154 residences.
At the moment, W Doha is the only W property in the Meddle East and North Africa, though there are several properties currently in development for the UAE.
W Doha, Living Room
W Doha is located in the West Bay of Doha on the Qatar peninsula. Standing right across from the popular City Center mall and it is only a 15-minutes drive from the airport.
Doha's beautiful Corniche, as well as beach and water sports facilities are just 5 minutes away by car, while the challenging greens of the Doha Gold Club are a quick 10 minutes drive.
- See more at: http://www.whoteldoha.com & http://www.sleepermagazine.com
W Doha, Living Room
W Doha has 3 restaurants. One of them is "Market by Jean-Georges".
[Sleek and sophisticated. Savor fresh, local ingredients with international flare in a chic setting at our second restaurant by Chef Vongerichten. Candle lights flicker, and spice jars line the walls of this contemporary take on a traditional souq]
Market by Jean-Georges | Signature Restaurant by Jean-Georges in Doha
Seafood display for Brunch (left, -the time I was there, they had Brunch on every Fridays-)
Market by Jean-Georges | Signature Restaurant by Jean-Georges in Doha Other than the restaurants, W Doha also has 2 lounges, Wahm lounge & Crystal lounge, and a cafe in the hotel.
In Doha, you can not get any alcohol either from stores or restaurants in the city, except those 5 star hotels with the special permit. So, those 3 restaurants and 2 lounges are packed with people, especially over the weekends. Not only for the tourist and business travelers from other countries, but also for the Arabs. W Doha is truly the Oasis for the people in the desert Qatar.
W Café
Light bites. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and maybe a pastry or two at the warm, welcoming W Café. Whatever you’re craving, we have a selection of delicious baked goods, cupcakes and
treats to satisfy your appetite.
Task Force Doha, Qatar ドーハ出張 -2-
While I was in Doha, I could take a day off to discover a tiny part of the city.
I am not sure about the other cities in the Middle East, but I can say, it was very different from any other countries I have visited before...
Fanar - Qatar Islamic Cultural Center
There are many new & fancy shopping malls in the city. You can buy everything and eat any kind of food over there (except pork and alcohol). Those places are, of course, with air-conditioning which is very nice but luck of character...
One of my friends who used to work in W Guangzhou, now works in the kitchen of W Doha, took me to a place called "Souq Waqif".
Souq Waqif
Souq Waqif
They also sell Falcons!
Also, because I was there at the best time of the year (in Jan) and best time of the day (6-8pm), I had no problem walking around the place.
There are many nice restaurants and cafe at the Souq, but I have tried their traditional food from the street vendors and the small tiny restaurant inside the Souq.
The BBQ grilled lamb & chicken with green leaf salad and some bread (?? something like Indian Naan bread but thinner). It was good. Much better than I have imagined, though the meat was bit too dry for my taste.
Street vendors come out and selling food at the evening
Souq Waqif
Traditional Middle Eastern food
Many nice luxury 5star hotels in the city of Doha. Didn't have enough time to visit those hotels but I know for sure, W Doha was extremely busy. Not only for the rooms, but also their restaurants and the bars were crazy everyday. They don't have a big banquet space but busy with outside catering. They told my they are the busiest B&F operation in all W hotels in the world!!
Kempinski (top left), Marriott Marquis City Center (top right),
W Doha (bottom)
View of Doha at night. Office buildings and shopping malls.
Jun 26, 2015
Task Force Doha, Qatar ドーハ出張 -1-
First time in Middle East.
I have been in W Doha, from January 21st to 31st on a Task Force assignment.
To oversee and train the staff in their sushi and sashimi section of their restaurants by Jean-Georges, all day dining restaurant "Market" and Asian restaurant "Spice Market".
In this time of the year, the weather in Doha is perfect.
Not hot at all. During the daytime, I could walk around outside with T-shirt, and after sunset, just with light jacket over the T-shirt.
Doha is an exciting city. A capital city of Qatar, with fast-paced economy growth, it has been hosting major international events and building many skyscrapers for residences, shopping malls, hotels and offices. Also a national museum of Qatar, located at south Doha, has been under construction.
Getting ready for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar!
Because W Doha was fully booked during the time I was there, I had to stay in the staff dormitory....
It was actually a great experience though. I could feel how the life in Doha is like!
Beautiful view of CBD Doha
I have been in W Doha, from January 21st to 31st on a Task Force assignment.
To oversee and train the staff in their sushi and sashimi section of their restaurants by Jean-Georges, all day dining restaurant "Market" and Asian restaurant "Spice Market".
In this time of the year, the weather in Doha is perfect.
Not hot at all. During the daytime, I could walk around outside with T-shirt, and after sunset, just with light jacket over the T-shirt.
Doha is an exciting city. A capital city of Qatar, with fast-paced economy growth, it has been hosting major international events and building many skyscrapers for residences, shopping malls, hotels and offices. Also a national museum of Qatar, located at south Doha, has been under construction.
Getting ready for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar!
The time I was there, they had "Handball World Championship" in the town
View from the car, on the way to work
It was actually a great experience though. I could feel how the life in Doha is like!
Outside of the apartment building I have stayed
(very dark during the night time and looks bit scary...)
My room
Special welcome amenity delivered by W Doha team (left), living room (right)
Bed room (left), kitchen (right)
Kitchen (left), Bathroom (right)
Mar 9, 2015
W Taipei, "The Kitchen Table" W台北 "キッチンテーブル"
"The Kitchen Table", W Taipei's all day dining restaurant, is located on the 10th floor of the hotel.
It serves various types of food from the breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea to the dinner.
Entrance of "The Kitchen Table" (top left), Inside of the restaurant (top right)
Outside terrace at night (bottom)
Dessert section (left), restaurant interior (right top) and table setting (right bottom)
Some may find the food variety of the buffet isn't good enough, compare to the other 5 star hotel's buffet restaurants in the town, but I found the quality of the food in "The Kitchen Table" was much better than others.
They also "pass around" their special dish of the day, several times during each meal period. I had grilled fish, deep fried prawn, individual portioned mini-gratin during my dinner time. Those pass around dishes were all nicely presented in the small portion and very tasty indeed.
Cold appetizers, sushi/sashimi (left bottom) and hand roll (right)
Dessert selection
Salad (left) and Asian hot food (right) selection
Cold cuts (left) and dessert (right) selection
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