Mai Cuisine

...is a new Japanese cafe in NYC's Midtown at 30 E. 41st Street.

I tried the Daily special - Japanese fried chicken rice bowl (also had a layer of shredded cabbage and "special" sauce) for $5.95. The chicken was good, but not crispy. The prepacked sushi was a big hit with the midtown lunch crowd.

Japan Korea Block Fair

...the 1st Annual Fair was held last weekend on Broadway in NYC's Upper West Side.

I tried the Japanese fried chicken ($3) for little nuggets with wasabi mayonaise. Moist, but not crisp on the outside.

"E" tried a vegetarian patty made with cabbage and topped with a sweetish sauce.

The Ninja demonstration was a little weak and hokey.

Cafe Zaiya

I frequent this cafe located on the 2nd floor of a Japanese book store on Sixth Avenue and 41st Street across from NYC's Bryant Park.

One of today's lunch specials was the salmon bento box served with white rice, pickled vegetables and tofu. A very good deal for $4.99 (includes tax) with a bottle of water, hot tea or coffee.

Japonais

is located near NYC's Union Square area at 111 East 18th Street.

"T" and I went for the final week of the extended NYC Winter 2010 Restuarant Week for the 3-course $35 prix fix dinner.

"T" started with the Crab Cake with soy mustard sauce and then the Japanese Ribs - hickory smoked in red miso bbq sauce, served with truffle soy bean salad.

I started with Crispy Shrimp and Salmon roll - panko shrimp roll topped with soy marinated salmon and wasabi tobiko sauce, and then the Salmon Japonais - nori skin encrusted Atlantic salmon with botan ebi and horseradish, oyster & leek stew and curry oil.

There was only one dessert offered - Kabocha Cheesecake - Japanese pumpkin cheesecake with five spiced pineapple mousse and an almond crust cookie.

All of the food was very good, but looked like half portions (this was, afterall, Restuarant Week prixe fix), but the dessert was a full and generous portion (which is the best part of the meal anyway). We were quite full and satisfied when we left.

Foodie Films

Tampopo

I like this quirky film, but the drunken shrimp scene is kind of disturbing.

Chewables

Another one of my favorite things is a Japanese candy called Hi-Chew. This is similar to Starburst. My preferred flavor is green apple. This candy is sold in Asian markets. This package was purchased at Pearl River Mart on Broadway and Grand Street in NYC's SoHo for $1.25.