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Morimoto to Bring Yakatori to the Traveling Masses

partysugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:50:26 -0700

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's got a new project in the works. Yesterday the hospitality company Delaware North Cos announced a partnership with the sushi master, with plans to launch Skewers, a new fast-casual airport restaurant chain.

Although no sushi will be on the menu, the concept will offer travelers easily portable meals like soups and salads, as well as a variety of skewered meats and vegetables.

Known as yakitori in Japan, skewers are an incredibly popular street food and Morimoto hopes to introduce the world to his interpretation of it. "Yakitori is the next big wave, I think," Morimoto said, adding confidently, "It will be very popular."

While the rollout dates and details concerning the locations have not been released, I think the idea sounds interesting. I've yet to experience yakitori and am curious to see how Morimoto translates it to the masses. How about you? Have you had yakitori? Will Morimoto's latest endeavor be a success?

You Waste, You Buy

YumSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:00:41 -0800

If your eyes are bigger than your stomach, one restaurant thinks you should pay the price for being too greedy. In an unprecedented move, Hayashi Ya, a Japanese buffet on Manhattan's Upper West Side, has begun adding a 30 percent surcharge for customers who don't finish food on their plate. In other words, the restaurant's $26.95 meal deal is all-you-can-eat - but not a bite more. According to Hayashi Ya's manager Ben Lin, the motivation behind adding a surcharge was twofold. First, it's an incentive for customers to only take what they can eat, thereby cutting down on waste. Second, it prevents the eatery from obtaining a surplus of ingredients, which hurts the restaurant's profitability.

There's been a lot of discussion over this charge, but I think it's legitimate. In this tight economy, restaurants are fighting to remain profitable. Although entire civilizations across the globe are in dire need of food, studies show that anywhere between 30 percent and 50 percent of edible food goes to waste. All factors considered, I think the surcharge is rather sensible. Do you think it's fair?

Source

Japanese Can Now Pay For Fast Food With Cell Phones

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:00:14 -0800

Visitors to fast food outlets in Japan will soon be able to pay for their burgers, fries and shakes with their cell phones, according to the BBC. Japanese mobile phone operator NTT DoCoMo and McDonald's have created a system where hungry fast food fans can make electronic payments for their grub. While I don't think fast food needs to be any easier for people to get their hands on, I'm impressed with the the geek factor.

For the rest of the story, read more

Here's more:

In the UK, YourRail is working with Chiltern Railways to offer commuters the chance to buy tickets with their mobile phones.
Users buy their ticket on the internet and it is delivered to their mobile phone in the form of a barcode. Gates are currently being installed at Marylebone station which will scan phones.
In Japan, DoCoMo set up a service which allows customers to use their handsets as a credit card. By April there were around 3m wallet phones in Japan using a pre-paid credit system where users topped up their account, often via a website, before using their phone to pay for something.
The joint venture between McDonalds and DoCoMo - worth 300 million yen - will see McDonalds Japan holding a 70% stake, with DoCoMo owning the rest. It is due to begin in July of this year.

Yummy Link: Easy Homemade Sushi

partysugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:21:31 -0700

Have you ever made sushi before? I've done it twice and both times were deliciously rewarding. If you want to experiment with sushi making, check out this recipe for lox and roasted asparagus sushi. Doesn't it look absolutely divine? - For the Love of Food

Ewwwwwww!

GiggleSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:00:00 -0800

I say that, but I bet I'd try this Japanese pizza with a mayonnaise and shrimp-filled crust. Then again, it's that time of the month.

Would You Eat Raw Meat Sushi?

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:54:31 -0700

My gal Giggle sent me this video the other day. We all know about fish sashimi, but have you heard of horse, deer, or chicken sushi?! Be sure to check out the video and then tell me, would you eat raw meat sushi?

There's Something About Bento

GiggleSugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:30:00 -0700

You're watering at the mouth, aren't you? Or maybe more sick to your stomach. I'm not sure these distasteful tactics are the best way to market a menu. I do know that if the lunch in front of me started gyrating--I'd lose it. Fast.

View 2 Photos ›

Source

Sushi Is Big Funny

GiggleSugar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 10:00:00 -0800

The Japanese are funny. We've already established this. Again. And again. And again. And again. So it doesn't surprise me that the joke's on us this time. I knew something smelled fishy all along...two little sticks do not an eating utensil make.

Food Section Sampler - Sept. 9, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:50:23 -0700

Why Japanese bento boxes have developed a cult following. - New York Times
Previewing Xoco, the new Mexican street food spot by Rick Bayless. - Chicago Tribune
Thirty things to do with tomatoes during harvest season. - Los Angeles Times
With sales plummeting, Champagne producers have slashed this year's harvest and bottling. - Wall Street Journal
In a tasting, which brand of lemon sorbet proved the sweetest? - Boston Globe
How one beet dish won over a beet-averse eater. - San Francisco Chronicle
Fast, healthy, and exotic, sabji stir-fry should be the home cook's new 30-minute meal. - Washington Post

Source: Flickr User luckysundae

Cool Idea: Get the Egg Out

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Interior stylist Paul Lowe makes beautiful vignettes with food, flowers, and home interiors and often creates unexpectedly charming arrangements from everyday objects.

I love this particular idea of Paul's: using egg cups instead of vases! Egg cups are a great way to cluster short-stemmed flowers or to display one big bloom, such as a dinner plate dahlia. Look for egg cups at flea markets or resale shops or online on eBay or Etsy. I'm kind of in love with this vintage Japanese egg cup. Have you tried decorating with egg cups?
Source: Photo by Frances Janish