Meet the Chef

Last weekend we went to Gonpachi in Nishi-Azabu.  So far it's our favorite casual restaurant in Tokyo.  Yeah, yeah, Tokyo-ites will tell you it's where the tourists go.  And this may be true considering it's where they shot the crazy 88 scene from the movie Kill Bill.  But I prefer to think of of it as the Houstons of Tokyo.

http://www.gonpachi.jp/en/casual/home/index

The food is always great, every time we go we meet someone interesting, and the host is HOT.  Not that this is a prerequisite to fine dining but presentation does count for something.  Don't you agree?

So this time we're there, eating our favorite pre fix menu, which includes a variety of scrumptious morsels including fried shrimp dumpling with a savory/sweet chili sauce, a deep fried potato with cheese croquette which is covered with bonita flakes (I think that's what they are) so that it looks like it's still moving.   They have a great house salad and special tofu, not to mention lots and lots of Sake.   We were sitting at the bar.  But on the raised tables around us I noticed these two guys sitting at a table for four, across from each other, touting very large microphones.  Odd.  There weren't any cameramen so after a few minutes I concluded they were a) hearing impaired, b) crazy eccentric or c) doing a radio program from the restaurant.

I called over our waiter, who was extra smoking hot and ironically from L.A., (turns out he's part Japanese; part Dutch - a winning combination) and asked him if they were doing a radio show.  He said yes.  He pointed at the Asian man and informed us he is Sam Choy, chef and restauranteur.    Cool.

http://www.samchoy.com 

The other guy is a well known broadcaster I've never heard of and, of course, can't remember his name. Damn.

Russell insisted I go meet them so my Japanese/Dutch friend took me over to the table and introduced me.  They were both VERY nice.  It may have been the cleavage.  Sam was really humble and friendly and kept telling me how famous the broadcaster guy was.  The broadcaster guy asked me what I was doing in Tokyo.  When I told him I write a blog about my experiences in Tokyo he asked if I would come on his radio program and do an interview.  Um, let me check my schedule - dramatic pause - sure!

I seriously doubt it will amount to anything but it was flattering at the time.

Sam Choy and me.

Hottie and me.