O Ya | Boston, Massachusetts USA

O Ya

O Ya

 

Now that's a blowtorch!

Now that’s a blowtorch!

 

Kin Medai - ume, japanese plum vinaigrette, shiso

Kin Medai – ume, japanese plum vinaigrette, shiso

 

Fried Kumamoto Oyster - yuzu kosho aioli, squid ink bubbles

Fried Kumamoto Oyster – yuzu kosho aioli, squid ink bubbles

 

 

Wagyu Tataki - warm yuzu hollandaise, tarragon, nori

Wagyu Tataki – warm yuzu hollandaise, tarragon, nori

 

Tasmanian Ocean Trout - smoked ikura, wasabi, vinaigrette

Tasmanian Ocean Trout – smoked ikura, wasabi, vinaigrette

 

Tairagai Japanese Pen Shell Clam - smoked salt, white soy yuzu, extra virgin olive oil

Tairagai Japanese Pen Shell Clam – smoked salt, white soy yuzu, extra virgin olive oil

 

Tennen Madai - white soy ginger, myoga, lemon oil

Tennen Madai – white soy ginger, myoga, lemon oil

 

Diver Sea Scallop - australian perigord truffle, sake sea urchin jus, chervil

Diver Sea Scallop – Australian perigord truffle, sake sea urchin jus, chervil

 

Sorachi Ace

Sorachi Ace

 

Foie Gras - miso, preserved california yuzu

Foie Gras – miso, preserved california yuzu

 

Blue Fin Otoro - wasabi oil, lots of green onion

Blue Fin Otoro – wasabi oil, lots of green onion

 

Marinade / Prep of the Next Dish

Marinade / Prep of the Next Dish

 

Kanpachi - jalapeno sauce, sesame, apple, myoga

Kanpachi – jalapeno sauce, sesame, apple, myoga

 

Artic Char - yuzu cured, smoked sesame brittle, cumin aioli, cilantro

Artic Char – yuzu cured, smoked sesame brittle, cumin aioli, cilantro

 

Plating the Tennen Madai

Plating the Tennen Madai

 

Warm Lobster - ponzu beurre fondue, australian perigord truffles, bonito

Warm Lobster – ponzu beurre fondue, australian perigord truffles, bonito

 

Plating the Onsen Egg

Plating the Onsen Egg

 

"Faberge" Onsen Egg - white sturgeon caviar, gold leaf, dashi sauce, green onion

“Faberge” Onsen Egg – white sturgeon caviar, gold leaf, dashi sauce, green onion

 

Grilled Chanterelle & Shiitake Mushrooms - rosemary garlic oil, sesame froth, soy

Grilled Chanterelle & Shiitake Mushrooms – rosemary garlic oil, sesame froth, soy

 

Seared Petit Strip Loin of Wagyu

Seared Petit Strip Loin of Wagyu

 

Miso Marinated Delice De Bourgogne - Hanahato Junmai Kijoshu, Aged 8 years, Hiroshima

Miso Marinated Delice De Bourgogne – Hanahato Junmai Kijoshu, Aged 8 years, Hiroshima

 

Foie Gras Nigiri - balsamic chocolate kabayaki, claudio corallo raisin cocoa pulp

Foie Gras Nigiri – balsamic chocolate kabayaki, claudio corallo raisin cocoa pulp

 

Chocolate thank you

Chocolate thank you

 

Housed in a re-purposed old fire station in Boston, Massachusetts, O Ya is a one of a kind restaurant. The food is truly superb and the experience is one I wish I could relive over and over; reference: Groundhogs day. If you happen to be in Boston and have a free evening, you should surely try and call, but honestly this is the type of establishment one would want to reserve a few weeks in advance; this will assure you a spot in their humble / intimate 37 seated eatery. I did not follow such a plan, but luck was on my side as somehow, during my way from Western Massachusetts (a 2 hr drive), my call with the folks at O Ya proved successful and was able to snag a spot at the chef’s counter!

I ate SO well that evening. Dish after dish, I dared not pair alcohol with my food as I wanted to savor and remember every bite, at least to the best of my ability. My favorite was a tie between the Onsen Egg and the Diver Sea Scallop. Those two dishes just had so much flavor, multi-textural contrasts, and had both land & sea elements that worked well. Definitely want to go back and eat those again.

Thanks all, until next time.
-Matt

O Ya (information gathered 2/2013)
9 East St
Boston, MA 02111
617.654.9900
Hours
Sun, Mon Closed
Tues – Thu 5:00 – 9:30pm
Fri, Sat 5:00 – 10:00pm

Parking:
Just take a taxi. Parking is pretty crazy in the leather district of Boston, Mass.

Please be advised, all images and content are copyrighted and may not be used without permission. Got questions? Email me: mweats <dot> info <at> gmail <dot> com

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O Ya website

 

Honey Bubble | Atlanta, Georgia USA

Honey Bubble

Honey Bubble

 

Inside Honey Bubble

Inside Honey Bubble

 

Alon's Macaroon

Alon’s Macaron

 

Knows which ones to try :)

Knows which ones to try 🙂

 

 

Macaroons

Macarons

 

Loves Lemon Macarons! :)

Loves Lemon Macarons! 🙂

Continuing our search for places with macarons brings us to Honey Bubble. They’re actually known for their drinks but had to make the choice between eating a few macarons or try their drinks; after our dinner at Rosebud we just didn’t have the space for both. Bought a few try and the lemon was definitely the favorite.

Having looked at their menu, I really want to try is their taro with tapioca pearls, seems to be their best seller.

Honey Bubble (information gathered 3/2013)
798 Ponce de Leon Ave NE
Atlanta, Georgia
404.835.2009

Hours
Mon – Thu 11:00am – 10:00am
Fri – Sat 11:00am – 12:00am
Sun 11:00am – 10:00am

Parking:
Parking in front of the shop, additional spots around back.

Please be advised, all images and content are copyrighted and may not be used without permission. Got questions? Email me: mweats <dot> info <at> gmail <dot> com

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Honey Bubble website | facebook

 

Rosebud | Atlanta, Georgia USA

Rosebud

Rosebud

 

Christine w/ menu

Christine w/ menu

 

Kobe Burger

Kobe Burger

 

Crab cake on sweet potato hash

Crab cake on sweet potato hash

 

Eggplant tempura fried chips

Eggplant tempura fried chips

 

Fried chicken, green beans, mash potatoes, coleslaw

Fried chicken, green beans, mash potatoes, coleslaw

 

Decided it would be best to explore Virginia Highlands a bit before I start my travels again. It’s frankly a part of town I rarely seem to be drawn to despite having a solid array of restaurants and bars; a charming part of Atlanta that I do hope to check out more. Chose two places that evening: Honey Bubble for their macaroon selection and Rosebud for some dinner. The better dishes in my mind were the Kobe burger and the crab cake on sweet potato hash. Really enjoyed the Gourmet Magazine art work on the wall (posted a photo on my instagram if you’re interested).

Thanks for coming by! 🙂

 

Rosebud (information gathered 2/2013)
1397 N Highland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA
404.347.9747

Hours
Mon – Fri 11:30AM – 2:30PM
Sat 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Sun 10:00AM – 4:00PM

Parking:
Side street parking near and around the neighborhood.

Please be advised, all images and content are copyrighted and may not be used without permission. Got questions? Email me: mweats <dot> info <at> gmail <dot> com

References: 

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Rosebud website | twitter | facebook

 

Delta Check-In – Sweetwater 12 Pack | Atlanta, GA USA

 

 

So had been looking at some of old posts and realized these few shots that never got posted. The top one was shot with my 5DM3, but the one on the bottom was not. I think you can tell the quality. But! The point is I need to make sure this story is told.

Last year while traveling to visit a friend (the trip was from Atlanta, Georgia to Los Angeles, California) and my friend Alan G really wanted some Sweetwater beer. It’s a locally brewed beer from Atlanta at the time of this post, is not distributed that far west. Per my Delta status and ability to check-in bags for free, I figured let’s try and check-in the box.

Toting this around at the airport definitely turned some heads but ultimately, spoke with the baggage agent at Delta and was told that sending a case of beer is considered a valid form of packaging and will be covered if damages occurs. She slapped on some Fragile / Priority stickers and like a parent sending their child to school for the first time, watched the little 12 pack that could journey into the unknown. Crossed my fingers and went on my way. Fast forward 6 hours later, the box awaited my arrival in the special baggage section and viola! Safe and sound for Alan and I to enjoy. Cold Sweetwater 420 and amazing California weather what a freaking amazing pairing!

Drink responsibly. 🙂

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Sweetwater website | twitter | facebook
Delta website | twitter | facebook

 

Dr.Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party | Atlanta, Georgia USA

Dr.Bombays

Dr.Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party

 

Inside Dr.Bombay

Inside Dr.Bombay

 

Inside Dr.Bombay

Inside Dr.Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party

 

Coffee

Coffee, black. Unnamed blend.

 

Yep. A very basic post. The thing I really wanted to point out was that the place was super comfortable to just come and hang out, enjoy some snacks/coffee and surf the web (yes, they have WiFi). Per it’s name, I should have gotten tea. Oh well, another excuse to go back.

Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party (information gathered 2/2013)
1645 McLendon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
404.474.1402
Hours
Sunday – Tuesday: 8am – 9pm
Wednesday – Saturday: 8am – 10pm

Parking:
Side street parking near and around the neighborhood.

Please be advised, all images and content are copyrighted and may not be used without permission. Got questions? Email me: mweats <dot> info <at> gmail <dot> com

References: 

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Dr.Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party website

Dr.Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party

Gato Arigato | Atlanta, Georgia USA

Gato Arigato

Gato Arigato

 

Nicholas Stinson and Allen Suh

Chef Nicholas Stinson and Chef Allen Suh

 

Cha-Mushi, athens duck egg, scallion, shisito, steam

Cha-Mushi, athens duck egg, scallion, shisito, steam

 

Miso Soup, chive, burdock, shiso, true dashi

Miso Soup, chive, burdock, shiso, true dashi

 

Green Salad, escarole, roast shiitake, spicy lotus root pickle, umeboshi plum dressing

Green Salad, escarole, roast shiitake, spicy lotus root pickle, umeboshi plum dressing

 

Okonomi Yaki, octopi, cabbage, kewpie, happy brown sauce

Okonomi Yaki, octopi, cabbage, kewpie, happy brown sauce

 

Vertical Radish Salad, myriad radish, purple kale, yuzu tofu dressing, matcha powder

Vertical Radish Salad, myriad radish, purple kale, yuzu tofu dressing, matcha powder

 

Pork Belly Mochi, japanese mustard, scallion oil

Pork Belly Mochi, japanese mustard, scallion oil

 

Sashimi, real wasabi, sudachi ponsu, shiso rice crispy paper

Sashimi, real wasabi, sudachi ponsu, shiso rice crispy paper

 

Oxtail Beef Goyza, dumpling, natto, chive, yuzu-kosho dipping vinegar

Oxtail Beef Goyza, dumpling, natto, chive, yuzu-kosho dipping vinegar

 

Peppers with bonito flakes

Peppers with bonito flakes

 

Ramen,Tonkotsu, pork bone broth, scallion, pork belly, bamboo, corn, egg

Ramen,Tonkotsu, pork bone broth, scallion, pork belly, bamboo, corn, egg

 

Ramen, shiitake, shiitake broth, scallion, nori, bamboo, edamame, spinach, corn

Ramen, shiitake, shiitake broth, scallion, nori, bamboo, edamame, spinach, corn

 

A little bit of everything? Sure, why not.. With all the dishes being $10 or less, was able to order one of everything and paid less than $100 (that includes tax/tip) for two fairly big eaters. Went on a Tuesday and had a great time; both Chef Stinson Chef Suh was able to talk on each dish’s preparation, how fun!! One thing we didn’t take advantage of was the BYOB, available but we were so hungry that even a short hop away from the Candler Park Market to buy some sake was taxing.

Favorite eat would have to be the Pork belly mochi. What a different take on what I’ve typically had sweet. Also, the Cha-Mushi was really delicate and delicious.

Gato Arigato (information gathered 2/2013)
1660 McLendon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
404.371.0889
Hours
Mon, Tues 7:00 – 11:00pm
Wed – Sun Closed

Parking:
Side street parking near and around the neighborhood.

Please be advised, all images and content are copyrighted and may not be used without permission. Got questions? Email me: mweats <dot> info <at> gmail <dot> com

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Gato Arigato