For my Japanese Fixes

I love Japanese food.

So when Red Kimono opened sometime late last year, my family had Sunday lunch there. And said to ourselves that we were never coming back. (Yes, it was that bad.)

But, with many restaurants that open at the Ayala Terraces, they usually need at least a month or two to get a hold of their footing and become the place that they are meant to be.

I had been hearing that the food in Red Kimono was actually quite good, in fact, some friends of mine claimed that it was their favorite Japanese restaurant (and these were people who really loved good food!) So one afternoon, I decided to have my usual early dinner and give Red Kimono another shot. (I like to have dinner early, around 5 or 6 PM preferably.)

I ordered their crunchy tuna maki roll which was supposed to be their best seller as well as my staple teriyaki chicken.

Here's a photo of the interior.

Here's a photo of the tuna roll.

I don't have a photo of the teriyaki chicken.

Why? Because I was too busy eating and enjoying what I know consider to be the best teriyaki chicken in Cebu! It was the perfect combination of sweet and crunchy skin on the outside and juicy chicken on the inside, drizzled with teriyaki sauce and served with shoe stringed potatoes.

It was so good that I took my friend Connie for dinner there a few nights later and we devoured the chicken within 5 minutes of it arriving at our table. Yes. I like it THAT much.

Not to snob the tuna maki roll which was actually very good itself. It was one of their " signature makis rolled in crispy tempura flakes and topped with tuna." The roll itself was meaty, not skinny like some maki rolls I've seen and the crispy tempura flakes added a satisfying crunch to the whole experience.

I took photos of the menu to convince Gerard that we should eat there while he's here.

That settles it. Red Kimono is now my second favorite Japanese restaurant in Cebu City (especially if you just want regular Japanese fair.) Kanyoen of course holds first place in my list (not because that's where Gerard took me the night he proposed but because I actually do love the food.) I believe Red Kimono will now be my go to place for the Japanese fix as Kanyoen is a special occasion kind of place. (Like my birthday this year!)

Can't wait to convince my family to give Red Kimono another shot. *Dreaming of chicken teriyaki.* Until the next time!

De-Stressing Strawberry Cake

It's been ages since I've written. Mainly because almost everything going on in my life now is wedding related and I don't want to spoil any surprises.

But one day, I felt like doing something non-wedding related so I got the itch to bake a cake. Not just any cake, but a strawberry cake with jam and cream cheese frosting, Gerard style. Like the birthday cake he made for me last year!

So one night, after having a yummy Japanese dinner with Connie at Red Kimono, we dropped by the supermarket to get all the ingredients.

Ok. I admit. This was the first time in a dozen years or so that I decided to bake a cake all by myself. (Usually Gerard does most of the hard work and I just taste test haha.) My specialty in the kitchen is baking chocolate chip cookies.

Here are photos of my de-stressing strawberry cake.

A middle layer of strawberry jam

A middle layer of cream cheese frosting

Attacked cake

It felt very relaxing to just whip the batter, bake, and ice the cake without a care in the world, just to enjoy the smell of it. Just the simple pleasure of creating something with your own hands. (That you can eat after!)

I served it to my family after lunch and it was a hit! (Mostly because I think for once, it was not something chocolate-flavored for once.)

I really should try to slow down and enjoy doing things more. And go back to writing! (Hahaha ambitious with the wedding in two weeks and all.)