Jean Georges

Much has been said and written about Jean George Vongerichten. His name is globally known as a purveyor of fine food. His flagship restaurant in NYC, Jean-Georges Restaurant earned him a 3-star rating by the Michelin Guide.


Moodily lit dining room (aka dark) reeks of colonial elegance. The windows oversee the HuangPu river and the skyscrapers across in Pudong.

Simple table arrangement.

Jean Georges, Shanghai is his only namesake restaurant outside of NYC. This was actually my 2nd time there, and this time it was for lunch. They were running a lunch time promotion where they serve a bento box lunch, featuring four small (miniscule was more like it) dishes. One can choose his/her choice of 4 dishes (ranging from appetizers, salads, main to desserts) from a list of selection from a special menu.

I fell in love with their bread basket, or to be more specific, their fruit and nuts bread.

Smear it lightly with butter, it was hard to stop munching on it before I became full. On 2nd thought, one can hardly get full with the tiny servings of the bento box, so my advise is to have your fill of the complimentary bread basket by all means.

Here is my selection of 4 dishes.

"Bento Box" style lunch
To be frank, I could no longer remember the exact detailed descriptions of each selection. Basically, (from bottom left, anti-clockwise):- Caramelized Foie Gras, Slow-baked Salmon (done medium rare), Beef Tenderloin (done medium rare) and for dessert, some kind of Chocolate and Coffee Granita (I know, I can't possibly be anymore vague with the descriptions than this...).


All I remember is that the Foie Gras was expectedly sublime. Rich, velvety and wonderfully creamy, I could not do anything but just sighed in contendment.


It took me a while to finally decide in ordering the salmon dish. Usually, I only like my salmon done sashimi-style. But I recalled that I was intrigued by the accompanying condiments and sauces (of which I had promptly forgotten by now), that I went ahead and ordered it. I should have listened to my instincts. Not to say that the dish was flawed, but it just rather 'boring' and easily 'forgettable'.


I have to show you the other 'fish' option that was available on the menu. The steamed sea bass which my lunch companion ordered. In my opinion, it was certainly much more remarkable than the salmon.


My 3rd selection fared much better. The beef tenderloin was simply outstanding. I asked for medium-rare, and it came just that. I am no big fan of steaks, but this was close enough to convert me into one.


Oh, and it came with a side of mashed potatoes too.


Last but not least, was the dessert. The Chocolate Coffee Granita thingy. I love chocolates. I love coffee. I love desserts. Need I say more? (FYI, I highly recommend their dessert platter, especially the Chocolate-themed one if you have the opportunity to dine at Jean Georges).

This is another dessert option. Some 'Poached Pear with Ice-cream" type dessert. Since serving was so miniscule (by my standards), I didn't manage to steal a bite from my friend. (Darn it!)


Luckily, my sweet-tooth was pacified by the petit fours served at the end of the meal; a selection of lip-smacking truffles. I couldn't be happier...

Jean Georges
4th Floor, Three on the Bund
17 Guangdong Rd (junction of the Bund or East Zhongshan No.1 Rd)Shanghai
Tel: +86 (0)21 6321 7733

Tokyo Eats

Reporting the culinary part of my recent trip to Tokyo.

Breakfast
Where: Shinjuku Prince Hotel
Was delighted to discover quite a variety of breakfast offerings. However, delight quickly turned into boredom when the exact same dishes were repeated everyday throughout my stay there.

Salad with Pineapple & Grapefruit slices topped with Fresh Yogurt.

Plain Congee topped with Preserved Vege. In the background are Miso Soup and Soft-boiled Eggs Japanese-style.

A variety of Japanese pickled vegetables.

More offerings...

Snacks and Pastries

Yogurt
Yogurt in Japan really does seems to taste better, even those low-fat ones. Creamy and thick. Highly recommended!


Candied Sweet Potato Sticks coated with sesame seeds
Very nice to munch when feeling hungry from walking too much.


Belgian Waffles from Manneken (I hope I got the spelling right)
I discovered this during my visit to Japan last year so I made it a point to stop-by again this time. This shop is in Ginza. They have special flavours introduced for a limited time only. This time, the special flavour was Green Tea (much to my delight!). Seriously good!

Advertisement introducing the special flavour.

An-pans with various fillings from Kimuraya Bakery
I was informed that Kimuraya is famed for its mini an-pans in various feelings. True enough, the original shop in Ginza was very crowded when I was there. I had the chance to sample a few and bought a few. My favourites are:

With Yuzu Orange filling,
as well as chestnut filling, pear filling, green bean filling and the classic azuki beans (red beans) filling.

Ads for the famous an-pans.
I later discovered that I didn't have to travel all the way to Ginza for there's this cute little van that sells Kimuraya an-pans just in front of my hotel in Shinjuku.



Chocholate Truffles from Pierre Marcolini Chocolatier
Japanese, I noticed do know how to appreciate the finer things in life, including food. Just check out all the world-renown and exclusive brandnames and makers of sweets, chocolates, pastries among others in the food hall of major departmental stores.

However, this shop is located in exclusive Ginza. They have two adjoining shops, one selling ice-creams and the other, chocolate truffles. And these little precious are a real sight to behold. After some difficult contemplation, I finally decided on these 2 jewels:

The Lait (Earl Grey) and Coeur Framboise (Raspberry coated White Chocolate with Dark Chocolate Center).
Do I really need to go through the length to describe how fantastic these were? Despite costing quite a bomb, one bite and you will never regret buying them. I would have also tried the ice-cream next door if not for the near freezing temperature of a typical evening in the winter month of January in Tokyo. I was half-afraid that I will freeze my tongue upon contact with the ice-cream *LOL*.

Omochi and Sweet Potato Pie

These 2 are standard fares in Japanese desserts. The pie is rather sweet with a strong cinnamon scent that I wasn't too keen on. As for the Omochi, I chose one coated with endamame (sp?) or soybean powder with classic azuki beans filling. Quite a unique flavour, I would say.


Mini slices of Cakes from Q.E.D Patisserie
As mentioned earlier, Japanese are big on sweets and pastries. One will be spoilt for choice when entering into a food hall in a Japanese departmental store. I bought this from Q.E.D Patisserie.

Caramel Walnut Cake and Orange Cake

More Cakes

Chocolate Hazelnut Chiffon Cake
The above was from a little cafe in Ginza where I hopped in to find temporary shelter from the chilly weather. There was one last piece left on the counter and I quickly snapped it up. But it looked nicer than it tasted though. I found it rather dry and the flavour, unexciting.
However, the same cafe serves very good White Chocolate Latte that seems to be just the right answer to a chilly weather.


Strawberry Cheesecake from The Cheese Cake Cafe

Aside from the big and luscious strawberries, this cake was nothing to shout about. Although still nice, it will not blow your mind. In fact, I find the cheese rather mild-tasting.


Taro Balls
Truly delish!

Main Meals

Pumpkin Salad
I got this from a supermarket outlet. It looked so beautiful and I love pumpkins! True enough, the roasted pumpkin slices were so delicious. A light and refreshing meal.

Rice Burger & Dessert at MOS Burger

I know MOS burger is available in KL (unless they have closed down) but don't seem to recall the local outlets serving this. Instead of the usual sesame buns, seafood & vege tempura is sandwiched in between 2 layers of lightly pan-fried buns made entirely of rice. Ichiban!

And so is their dessert offering. Something known as Frozen Cake Bar, I chose the Green Tea and Red Beans flavour. Tasted more like an ice-cream bar but seriously good.

Their latest offering.

Japanese Curry Rice (near the east exit of Shinjuku JR Station, at the crossroad)

What you do is select your choice and buy a ticket for your choice at the vending machine outside the restaurant. Then you go in and hand over your token to the waiter and find a vacant stool for yourself at the counter. Within minutes, your meal will arrive with a complimentary miso soup on the side.

Sushi from Sakurasusi (outside Shinjuku Prince Hotel)

Tuna

Grilled Eel

Salmon Roe topped with Bonito flakes

More Tuna

Nato (sp?) or Japanese Fermented Beans with Raw Quail's Egg (Definitely not for the faint-hearted)

Yam Balls boiled in sweet soy sauce
And surprisingly, the total for the entire meal was less than RM24. Rather cheap, isn't it?

Best Seafood Dinner
I was treated to a very good Japanese Seafood dinner by a very good Japanese acquaintance of mine. Although there was just 2 of us. he was very generous when ordering.
(Sorry, pictures are slightly dimmed and blurred because I forgot to turn on the flash).

Japanese Clams cooked in broth
They tasted really different from Malaysian's la-la. Sweet, plump and juicy; and the broth was real tasty too! Not one drop was left in my bowl.

Japanese Raw Oysters
I think these are the biggest oysters I have ever seen. And they tasted so fresh and juicy too!

Grilled Giant Prawns
Oo-la-la!

A selection of fresh sashimi
Always my favourite!

Dipping sauce. Aside from the standard wasabi, another alternative is to mix these herbs (leaves & flowers) to the soy sauce - as taught by my Japanese friend.

Nabe (Japanese Steam boat with raw thin beef slices and a plate of fresh seasonal vegetables)

Raw Beef Slices (2 dipping sauces provided, soy sauce and sesame sauce)

The hot pot