Izakaya Bars - Japan's Version Of Tapas

Yesterday I wrote about izakaya bars . This idea of Japanese tapas intrigued me. Japanese food t me involves a soup and a light but filling dinner. The idea of having quick but well cooked or fried cuisine sounds like a delicious alternative . This is not typical bar food but more along the line of the Spanish tapas which features bites from all different food groups.

Izakaya bars have been in my area, the New York metr,o for the past forty years. I'm sure I've passed them on my trips to Manhattan and thought they were just small Japaneses restaurants. there are a few throughout the US. These bars offer not only sake, the Japanese rice wine and chuhai , a carbonated cocktail but also American whiskies and wines. The foods range from simple edamame , salted soybeans and karaage , a kind of deep fried chicken nugget. There are also soy dishes such as hiyayakko, cold tofu with different savory toppings. This is a popular summer dish perfect with cold beer on a warm humid night . Izakayas also serve yakitori, grilled chicken kabobs that have been marinated in some kind of ginger sauce and then charcoal roasted.

New York has some good izakaya bars. There is Sakagura , in midtown which offered sake lovers some two hundred varieties of sake. Another well loved place is Soba Totta where you can watch yakitori being grilled . Other big US cities like Boston, LA and Chicago have them as well. You can do a search of your area for them .

Izakaya bars are neat way to enjoy good Japanese food and drink if you're pressed for time. They also make great date spots and fun pre and after theater or movie hangouts. You get to experience the best of Japanese food if you're on the run.

Romantic Dinners

Yesterday's New York Times Dining section had an interesting article about romantic dinners. It mentioned all the places couples ate at during the various stage s of their courtship. After all what works for a first date may not for one several months later. Then again it depends upon the people eating.

The article, cleverly written by Melena Ryzik is also most like an anthropologist's guide of modern dating and eating habits. Usually Internet dates as well as first dates meet over drinks and tapas or any bar that serves fresh from the oven nibble.s As a couple progresses with their relationship both the attitude and the restaurant get more intimate and cozy. They may head over to a pizzeria or just go restaurant hopping or as it's known eat along date. A couple may wind up in one place for ramen noodles and then for some edame and sake at an izakaya , This last is now springing up allover Manhattan andy it's which is kind of like a Japanese tapas bar. Of course, there are the burgers and fries joint as well where you can be relaxed and yourself.

Unfortunately the article doesn't mention what to do about more expensive dates. New York is full of intimate cozy restaurants that cater to couple.s. The West Village has plenty of them . however these come with a celebrity cachet that can disturb a candlelit evening alone. Although for a really romantic meal nothing beats a bateau dinner ride around the island. here you can enjoy not only good food but a lovely view of New York City.

Romantic meals for two can be anything and anywhere. You don't have to live in New York to experience one. You could use a beach for a fall picnic or a country inn. Even a meal cooked at home with candlelight and just each other is fine too.