Kaneyama and mixed feelings
Curry rice with tonkatsu – $10.95 – a bit more peppery than the curry rice at Musashi in Berkeley, but still mild enough to my taste, pretty good.
On the western edge of Yosemite National Park is a little town called Sonora. In Sonora there is Koto, the only Japanese restaurant in a 38-mile radius. In Koto, I had saba shio for the first time. It’s a grilled mackerel seasoned with salt, squeeze on some lemon juice if you like. I love homey things like that, especially when it’s so good I wanted it again the next day, but Koto was closed on Sundays. We left on Monday, with a hole in my heart.
Now before I go to any Japanese restaurant, I check if it has saba shio.
Not many do, but Kaneyama does. Only as an appetizer (which means half a mackerel instead of the whole fish) but better than nothing. A delicious crunching sound broke the air as Little Mom broke the skin with her chopsticks. We knew at that instant that the saba shio was the best dish of the day.
Saba shio – $6.25 – Grilled mackerel with salt. So simple and the best of the bunch.
Gindala – $10.95 – Black cod marinated in sweet miso glaze, and they weren’t kidding, it was really sweet. Nice and plump.
The gindala appeared fancier, took longer time to prepare, and I liked the moist, dense, almost doughy flesh of the black cod, but the miso glaze was too sweet. The spinach goma ae, another common Japanese sidedish that I was only recently introduced to and was eager to show Little Mom, didn’t impress her too much because the sesame sauce could also use more salt and less sugar.
Spinach goma ae – $5.50 – a bit expensive for some boiled spinach with black sesame sauce, and not as good as expected. The sesame sauce could use less sugar and more salt.
I was surprised to see okonomiyaki on the menu, however described as a seafood pancake. Feeling demanding for no good reason, I asked the waitress if they could add pork belly, but no luck. 🙁 I was even more surprised when the okonomiyaki was brought to me: instead of the usual round shape I’m used to, this one is two quarters of dough on an oval hot plate, the kind you see with dak bokkeum at Korean restaurants, with copious amount of mayonnaise and katsuobushi (at least this part is familiar). I don’t know where the seafood in “seafood pancake” was. Even the cabbage was scarce. Final verdict: I make better okonomiyaki. 😉
Luckily, Little Mom’s udon with shrimp tempura and Dad’s curry rice with tonkatsu, looking unassuming as they were, actually tasted good. I’m glad, you know, cuz I actually wanted to like this restaurant. Sure, its food needed some fixing to live up to its posh setting, and the saba shio was not as good as the one I had at Koto in that little town Sonora. But I did order things off the beaten path (should have gotten sushi maybe?), and the waitress was cute.
For dessert, I tried my luck again and asked for black sesame ice cream, although it’s not listed on the menu. But Kaneyama is no In ‘n Out with a hidden menu, the manager said no, adding “That was the first time I got this question. Not many people know about it.” Guys, next time you’re at a Japanese restaurant, ask for sesame ice cream.
Okonomiyaki – $8.95 – strange looking and too doughy. I make better.
Udon with shrimp tempura – $10.50 – The noodle soup looks pretty barren (seriously, just kamaboko and spinach?), but the broth is good. The tempura is also good, “not oily” always scores in my book.
Red bean, plum and green tea ice cream – $2.50 each scoop – Too expensive, not good enough, casual pho restaurants have better green tea ice cream than this, but the plum ice cream is good.
Speaking of ice cream, today I realized that I have become a sea urchin of a customer. I asked questions, and returned the wrong scoop of ice cream to the kitchen, although Little Mom said it was fine. (The right scoop turned out to be her favorite and the best flavor. I did something right, Mom 😉 ) In another year will I be sending back a medium well steak when I had asked for medium? (On a few occasions, I thought of sending back pork sausages that weren’t properly defrosted and still a bit pink inside. But I just didn’t eat the sausage.) What will I be then… a durian?
Address: Kaneyama
9527 Westheimer Suite D
Houston, TX 77063
(713) 784-5168
www.kaneyama-houston.us
Lunch for three: $67.76
Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for newbie blog writers? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
1Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Excellent. I’m also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.
2Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for!
3Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you
4Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your website in internet explorer, might test this… IE nonetheless is the market chief and a huge section of folks will pass over your magnificent writing because of this problem.
5Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply great and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.
6It’s best to take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this web site!
7I have recently started a website, the information you offer on this website has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
8I have read a few good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to make such a great informative site.
9We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with useful info to paintings on. You’ve done an impressive job and our entire community can be thankful to you.
10Outstanding post, I believe blog owners should learn a lot from this web site its very user friendly.
11I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is needed to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100 positive. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks
12Great blog! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also.
13You are my inspiration , I own few blogs and rarely run out from to post .
14Just wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is just great and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the gratifying work.
15I always was interested in this topic and stock still am, appreciate it for putting up.
16My spouse and i ended up being relieved that John could finish off his survey via the ideas he received through your weblog. It’s not at all simplistic to just find yourself giving for free information which usually many others may have been selling. And we do understand we have got the website owner to thank for this. Most of the explanations you’ve made, the straightforward site navigation, the relationships your site help to promote – it’s all amazing, and it is helping our son in addition to the family imagine that this situation is brilliant, and that is wonderfully fundamental. Thank you for the whole lot!
17Regards for helping out, fantastic info .
18Absolutely indited written content, regards for selective information.
19Valuable info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I’m shocked why this accident did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
20I just could not go away your web site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard info a person supply for your visitors? Is gonna be again continuously in order to check up on new posts.
21You got a very superb website, Glad I found it through yahoo.
22You have observed very interesting details ! ps nice site.
23I got what you mean , thankyou for putting up.Woh I am pleased to find this website through google. “I was walking down the street wearing glasses when the prescription ran out.” by Steven Wright.
24Normally I don’t read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.
25Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too magnificent. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise. I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful site.
26Sweet web site, super layout, really clean and utilize genial.
27I’ve recently started a blog, the information you offer on this website has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
28Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
29I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this site. Reading this information So i am satisfied to show that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I such a lot unquestionably will make sure to don’t fail to remember this web site and give it a look regularly.
30I’m so happy to read this. This is the type of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
31I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this website. Thanks, I’ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your website?
32Just wanna remark that you have a very nice internet site, I like the layout it actually stands out.
33The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
34I conceive this website has got very fantastic pent articles content.
35Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you actually realize what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my website =). We could have a link alternate contract between us!
36Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
37What i don’t realize is actually how you are not really much more well-preferred than you may be now. You’re so intelligent. You understand thus considerably with regards to this topic, made me in my opinion imagine it from so many numerous angles. Its like women and men aren’t interested until it is one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs nice. Always take care of it up!
38Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
39I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again
40Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest factor to take into accout of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while other folks think about issues that they just do not realize about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as outlined out the entire thing without having side effect , other people could take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thanks
41This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
42You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I to find this matter to be actually something which I believe I’d by no means understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am having a look forward to your next publish, I’ll attempt to get the hold of it!
43You could certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
44It’s hard to seek out knowledgeable individuals on this matter, but you sound like you already know what you’re talking about! Thanks
45Good site! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
46I was just searching for this information for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your web site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative websites in top of the list. Normally the top websites are full of garbage.
47Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve really loved browsing your weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing in your feed and I am hoping you write once more soon!
48Appreciate it for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
49Perfect piece of work you have done, this website is really cool with good information.
50