Secret Asian Man- Food Porn

What was your favorite meal?  

I've got a list. Among the top was a meal at the Chop House in Naples, FL. We didn't have a reservation so we were squeezed in at a counter back by the kitchen. One of the cooks took a liking to us and was feeling creative, so he threw lots of things together for us. We were so glad we didn't call ahead.

There was also a souvlaki place in Athens that was just Amstel, fries and grilled pork on a stick at a folding table under a Mediterranean moon.

Then there was Uri Buri. Apologies to those who've seen Mrs. S.A.M.’S quick post on this. She's quick on the social media these days. The household tweeter in chief.

In Acre (pronounced Akko), an ancient Mediterranean port and former Crusader capital, is a spartan place right on the water. The sign is stenciled on plexi-'glass, hung from two links of rusty chain.  Inside is neat and tidy, nothing that gives away any of the sublime tastes you're about to eat.

Chef Uri has moved from demolition expert to fisherman to chef with no formal training. He just serves what he likes to eat. 

If you're picky, you can order off the menu, but the tasting menu is where the magic lies. Putting your trust in the fishermen and the cooks. Your waiter asks about any food dislikes or allergies and What comes in and what is freshest is what goes on your plate. It isn't all you can eat for one low price, but it is all you can eat. They'll keep bringing out courses until you say stop

We'd starved ourselves and scrimped so that we could afford and taste our way as far into the tasting menu as we could go. Here's what had….

Simple Oysters on the half shell with a lemon picked off the tree out back and a dash of green Tabasco

Persimmon slice topped with marscapone, sweet shrimp and caviar

Bruschetta with charred eggplant and ceviche

Grilled octopus and zucchini splashed with olive oil

Scallops with Jerusalem artichoke

Ceviche of jack fish

Seafood soup in coconut milk

Shrimp artichokeand lemon butter over pasta and spirulina

Cubes of tuna caught an hour earlier served with yogurt and olive oil

Scallops with cream, ginger and seaweed flakes

Sea bass with saffron rice, coconut milk and apples

Gorgonzola shrimp

And two desserts of kiwi soup/grapefruit sorbet and creme brûlée with cardamom.   

Throw  in a couple of palate cleansing sorbets, a bottle of wine and a bottle of water and that was lunch. It was 2 ½ hours of pure bliss.

Chef Uri made his rounds.  Both he and the staff were keen to make sure everyone was enjoying.  

Here's your travel tip.  If you're in Israel...if you're close to Israel… if you're near Israeli airspace, fake a medical emergency, get your flight diverted and make the 90 minute drive from Tel Aviv and have lunch. Really.  It's that good.

So, what was your favorite meal of all time?

Something Fishy

One advantage of jet lag is being able to to wake up easily for things like the Tsukiji fish market tuna auctions in Tokyo. They only allow 120 people per day to watch, so, I was up at 3 am and to the market by 4 am. It is on my list of things to see.

I am both stunned and reassured by the fact that I am not the only weirdo who would be drawn to such a thing, for alas,  I was 10 minutes too late. There are at least 120 earlier birds and countless other jet lagged and disappointed Caucasians wandering around the awakening streets wondering what to do with their mornings until the rest of the city arises.

Coffee Vending Machine

I sit for a moment with my vending machine coffee and then decide to wander the streets with the other fish zombies.

I came upon a 24 hour sushi place.  This place is the Waffle house of sushi, and I mean that in only the most positive way. Three old men running the place.  Greeting the guests as they enter and cranking out fresh sushi and hot green tea all night long. Seeing that the fish was bought off the boat 100 yards away, I figured it had to be fresh and, if caught off the shores of Fukushima, maybe radioactive.

Anyway, it tasted super fresh and the chef let me take his photo.  Though I've never asked for early morning sushi, it was the best Sushi breakfast you could ask for.

Chef and Breakfast

Revived, I decided to redouble my efforts to see the auction and infiltrate the market.  This wasn’t too hard to do.  I just disguised myself as an aging Asian guy and ducked into the crowd. Though they don’t really want outsiders there until 9 AM, there is no admission or gates.  It wasn’t too hard to get in.  

First was the Fruit and Veggie market.  Wholesale crates of perfect peaches and kiwis individually wrapped.  Boxes of carrots and cabbages stacked head high. Headed to markets everywhere.

Then the intermediate fish market.  Here is where the big fish are cut down to size for distribution.  Other fish and seafood is sold as well. Snapper, squirrel fish, eels, roe, scallops, shrimp  Aisle upon aisle of it.  One wanders and may come to two conclusions.  The sea is so abundant. Or, we are raping the seas.  Or both.  

Fish on Ice

Octopus

Tuna cut down

Further in, is the tuna auction. This market is mostly just an open garage with rows of frozen tunas arrayed on the floor, like rows of torpedos. Men in boots gather round another man standing on a stool.  With a  quick shout he starts a little dance, barking out prices.  It’s all very choreographed and probably the same little dance that's been danced for hundreds of years.

It would have been nice to watch for awhile, but I got too bold and started to take photos.  That’s when the Tuna Police came and politely escorted me off the grounds.  Who knew there were such a people? 

I did manage to get a few shots.  Here’s the best of them.

Blurry Tuna Auction

After sunrise, the crowds line up for a sushi Breakfast.This place only seats about 12 people at a time.  How do you say "Eat it and beat!" it in Japanese?

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