Contact Mr.Foodie

4 Responses to Contact Mr.Foodie

1. Keiko says:

   January 10, 2011 at 2:52 pm

   Hi Mr Foodie,
   It’s always very interesting how you see and feel for Japanese food. Almost obsession.
   I do not deny that UMU is one of the most successful Japanese restrant in London, but as I am Japanese, I hesitate to call their food ‘Kaiseki’. But please do not be offended by that. It’s not good or bad.
   I went to UMU one year after they opend. I met a wonderful chef (he was not the head chef) at the counter who came from real Kaiseki background in Kyoto. He told me that after one year experience in London, he found that true Kaiseki will never be successful in London. He had to change the way a lot and then business got better. We had simillar view of many points on this matter. He diceded to leave the restaurant. No suprise that Funakashi san had known him and he adviced to the chef to move on. Since then I haven’t go there, still I felt like to go there sometime to see what’s going on. Funakoshi san told me that he’d never interested to go to UMU before but since the headchef’s been changed, he wants to try. And I think will try again soon.

   I understand a restaurant is a business to earn profits. There will be no good to stick with tradition if it don’t make money. I only wish you to know some differences because I belive you understand them from your love of Japanese food.
   Kaiseki ‘A (small) stone of the bosom’ a direct translation of kaiseki shows that it was a humble, very small potion of meal with 2 or 3 dishes with a soup and a bowl of rice that was served between a tea celemony. It is ashamed that even most of Japanese people don’t know what it was, and think it got to be flourish and expensive.
   Kaiseki never mean extravagance. It’ s a beauty of lessness.
   Only Funakoshi san hasn’t lost his soul of origin which means that you’ve already known true kaiseki tastes.

   Keiko

   Reply
   • mrfoodie says:

     January 11, 2011 at 9:45 pm

     Hi Keiko… thank you for visiting my blog! I think you are right… it is a love of mind, an obsession.. and that obsession was brought out by Funakoshi-san. I remember you saying before that it is the beauty of lessness… and it is so true… less is so much more… its not about adding and adding, but drawing out…. as much I enjoyed UMU.. I have not been back since I had the class with Ichiro Kubota.. which was a fantastic learning experience… I’m not sure if I will… though I too have heard good things about the new chef… but saying that, like you say I have had equally if not better dishes created by Funakoshi-san. I have a lot to learn and explore about Japanese food.. so its great when I get very messages from people like yourself about the food… see you soon

     Reply
2. Keiko says:

   January 14, 2011 at 11:15 am

   Hi, I’ve just read your experience at ‘Barrafina’. Oh, I have to go there! I’ve been lookng for a good Tapas restaurant for so long. It looks extremely good. And I think you are a quite good food photographer. Look so tempting!!! Thank you very much.

   Reply
   • mrfoodie says:

     January 15, 2011 at 3:44 pm

     Hi Keiko, I think you of all people will love this place. They have also fresh seafood there which they cook up in front of you, which you’ll love! enjoy!

     Reply