Add Kanda in Tokyo to your places-to-visit list, my experience there sounded a lot like your description of Koju.

It is my all-time favorite, tied only with Urasawa in LA.

I liked it a lot more than Kikunoi (the kyoto branch), by the way.

Have you been to the Inn at Little Washington in VA? Or Citronelle in Georgetowne in DC? They are both glorious experiences (I thought)…I’d be interested in your thoughts. A warning about Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix: great food, but not as innovative as it’s touted — and you’ll have to wait upwards of three and a half hours for a table. It’s very small, and they have a set up that forces diners to spend cash in their wine bar next door. Which is also great, but…I dunno…three and a half hours for pizza? I would suggest these restaurants for a Phoenix visit instead: Cowboy Ciao or The Estate House in Scottsdale (stay away from any of our sushi bars, as the profound sushi expert you are, you’ll find them all seriously lacking), and Sol y Sombra (also in Scottsdale, but further north) if you want a very hip and imaginative tapas experience. Also great is elements at The Sanctuary Resort on Camelback Mountain — gorgeous views of the city! Oh — Asia de Cuba is alot of (expensive) fun, in our over the top Mondrian hotel (the Warhollian Phillippe Starck designed it, you probably know that). I live in Phoenix, and used to live in DC — obviously…..(?) — but no, I’m just a resident, not with the Tourist Bureau. Those places have just been my favorite fine dining so far.

Chuck,

of course I can only endorse jpreister – come visit some German places. It is well worth it… I could provide you with a nice itinery…
Best
Ingo

If you’re in Tokyo, I would highly recommend checking out Aronia de Takazawa. Easily the best meal of my life, better than even Ryugin. Only downside is that he only has 2 tables per night, so book way in advance.

Also if you’re checking out Kyobashi for tempura, I’d suggest Kondo as an alternative – make sure to order the sweet potato tempura. Kondo-san is probably doing the best vegetable tempura on the planet right now…his produce is amazing.

Oh, I thought the flavor of the sweet potato was exceptional, unlike any other sweet potato I’d ever had before.

I’d say the food at Aronia leans more towards the French end of the spectrum compared to Ryugin. Some exceptionally creative dishes though nonetheless.

I was looking through some of your US reviews…ever been to Cyrus in Healdsburg near Sonoma? In addition to top notch food, the bartender (or mixologist I suppose would be more appropriate) makes some incredible cocktails. Food-wise, I’d say it has a slight edge on The French Laundry. I actually didn’t enjoy Manresa as much as Cyrus and TFL; I felt too many of the dishes were about presenting vegetables from the garden without regard for whether they worked with the other elements of the dish.

Consider stopping by Tsukiji Yamamoto on your next trip to Tokyo (that is, if your visit lies between the months of November and Match…)

I would say the decor and service are what Urasawa would be if he were 40 years older and running his grandfather’s old restaurant. The food is what Urasawa would be if all fish went extinct and the only thing left to eat was blowfish cooked ten different ways. It was very interesting and delicious, probably my all-time favorite.

Also, unfortunately, I can’t say i would recommend Daigo. I was really hoping for a Japanese-version of Arpege — which to me would be the best restaurant in the world. It wasn’t. The meal was very grain-heavy and lacked enough vegetables, surprisingly. beautiful setting, though.

I visited Fäviken Magasinet a couple of weeks ago and it was the most amazing experience. Check out my food gallery for some pics if your interested http://enfoodie.wordpress.com/galleri-gallery/

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