The night before Christmas at Kata Robata
Last night I was reading this manga, Oishii Kankei (“Delicious Relationship”), and two things there reminded me of my family: a family of three who love to eat out and explore new restaurants, and the girl who can’t cook (but she has a better sense of taste than me, it’s a story after all ;-)). I also got reminded of a ton of Japanese food, although the main plot revolves around French cuisine and a fictional restaurant in Tokyo called Petit Lapin (“Little Rabbit”). I’ve been in the mood for something comforting, and Little Mom wants to have some Japanese food that isn’t sushi, so we decided on Kata Robata for our Christmas Eve. Actually Oanh recommended this place to me just before my flight to Houston, and I trust her when it comes to the Land of the Rising Sun. My dad’s opinion today? He had to come whether he wanted to or not. That’s Beauty #27 of a family of three: odd number makes decisions come easy. 😉
Thank goodness, he liked it here. Or should I say, he *loved* the kakuni don.
The rice, wet with the runny yolk of a 60-degree soft-boiled, was aptly seasoned by the rich sauce of the sweetly soy-braised slow-cooked pork belly (kakuni). The kakuni was a tad too fatty, but the seasoning strikes home just right. Little Mom fancied the juicy shiitake, and Mai the crunchy pickled radish. A little something for everyone makes the don truly comfort food.
The cold plate. At first they hesitated (Vietnamese don’t like things raw), but the American Kobe beef carpaccio charmed The Parents at first bite. They said it’s the thinness of the slices, whose texture reminded me of salmon sashimi, but I think it’s the olive oil dressing and the yuzu juice.
The yakitori, too, was surprisingly fish-like in texture. But yakitori is yakitori, nothing you can’t make at home.
Brought forth at the same time with the yakitori was the fois gras and unagi. At first I was debating between this and the miso-crusted bone marrow, but Little Mom, an eel fan, cast her vote on the former, which also has bone marrow, in powder form. The accompanying pickled apple and the huckleberry sauce were more high school cheerleaders than Broadway stars. That big fat slab of foie gras needed some searing and slicing to pair with the delicate unagi. But the bone marrow powder was rather perfect: it had the salty richness of katsuobushi, the creamy innocence of feta cheese, and the fluffy, melting texture of snow.
The starter didn’t arrive until almost the end (it would have been the end if we didn’t also order a shoyu ramen). But it was well worth the wait. Little Mom placed this uni chawanmushi top of tonight’s dinner mainly for its yuzu egg custard and ginkgo nuts. The chicken and shrimp bits were not too necessary, but the uni was fresh.
And a bowl of noodle soup to wash everything down. The broth erred on the salty side but the charsiu pork was perfect. No menma (bamboo shoot), and the noodles were more straight than curly. It’s a hearty bowl and just fatty enough to make Dad happy. 😉
For dessert, our host tried to lure us into either a fancy chocolate roll (with coffee cream, red bean puree and lemon gel) or a liquid-nitrogened white chocolate namelaka (with green tea streusel and huckleberry curd), but I insisted on the December 24 special: black sesame panna cotta, topped with mango sorbet, candied sesame, sesame soil, and ginger foam. I’ve never had any bad sesame treats, and this springy, fragrant, sweet but mild one is another triumph. The mango sorbet is bit tart like a puffy porcupine: it’s from a real fresh mango (yes, as opposed to a fake one).
I think we’ve done pretty well covering all bases: rice, noodle, seafood, chicken, pork, beef, from street to posh, from East to West. What does this dinner have to do with Oishii Kankei? Nothing. I just wanted to mention a manga worth reading for food fans.
How many stars for this restaurant? Like Imamura-san said about Petit Lapin: One. The food is good. 🙂
Address: Kata Robata
3600 Kirby Dr. Suite H
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-8858
The damage: dinner for 3 – $84.44
Thank you for some other informative site. The place else may just I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now running on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
1of course like your website however you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the reality then again I’ll certainly come again again.
2I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.
3I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
4I have recently started a blog, the info you offer on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work. “If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.” by Hal Borland.
5I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
6I think this site contains some very great information for everyone :D.
7Thank you for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such magnificent information being shared freely out there.
8There are some fascinating cut-off dates on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Added to FeedBurner as properly
9Whats Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & help other users like its helped me. Good job.
10There are actually a lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a great level to deliver up. I provide the ideas above as normal inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important factor might be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged round things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Both boys and girls really feel the affect of just a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
11Thanks for helping out, good information.
12Very interesting points you have noted, thanks for putting up.
13After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
14I have recently started a site, the information you provide on this web site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work. “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” by Vince Lombardi.
15Of course, what a splendid blog and informative posts, I will bookmark your site.All the Best!
16excellent post.Never knew this, thanks for letting me know.
17Thanks for any other informative site. Where else may just I am getting that type of information written in such a perfect way? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such info.
18Great post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the closing section 🙂 I handle such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thanks and best of luck.
19I have read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you put to make such a magnificent informative web site.
20Perfectly composed articles, Really enjoyed reading.
21Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Thank you!
22Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to protect against hackers?
23Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
24Appreciate it for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting info .
25Thanks – Enjoyed this article, can you make it so I receive an alert email when you publish a fresh article?
26I am impressed with this web site, rattling I am a big fan .
27I’ve recently started a site, the information you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
28My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
29Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
30Hey There. I found your weblog the usage of msn. That is an extremely smartly written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra of your helpful info. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
31I consider something really interesting about your web site so I bookmarked.
32Rattling clean site, appreciate it for this post.
33I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a good example of it.
34Wonderful website. Plenty of useful information here. I’m sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your effort!
35Its wonderful as your other posts : D, thanks for posting.
36naturally like your website however you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to tell the reality on the other hand I will definitely come back again.
37Its such as you learn my mind! You seem to grasp so much about this, such as you wrote the guide in it or something. I believe that you simply could do with a few percent to force the message home a little bit, however instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.
38very nice submit, i certainly love this web site, keep on it
39I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks
40Some genuinely excellent articles on this site, thank you for contribution. “I finally know what distinguishes man from other beasts financial worries. – Journals” by Jules Renard.
41My spouse and I stumbled over here different web page and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to going over your web page for a second time.
42I have recently started a site, the info you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
43Hi my friend! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all significant infos. I would like to look extra posts like this.
44I’d constantly want to be update on new articles on this internet site, saved to fav! .
45I am not very excellent with English but I line up this really easy to read .
46The following time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, however I really thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you would repair if you werent too busy in search of attention.
47Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
48I’ve been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Studying this info So i’m glad to show that I have a very excellent uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I such a lot without a doubt will make sure to do not fail to remember this website and provides it a glance on a continuing basis.
49Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
50