Mid-week sticks

It had been a while since I was last at Hidden (秀殿), as I didn't bother trying to book for a few months. The phone lines were open again on the morning of October 1 to take bookings for the months of November and December, so I dutifully tried calling. Repeatedly. The last time I tried to make bookings - which was last year - it took me 88 tries before I got through. This time around it took me even more attempts - over 100 calls - to finally get Ogata-san on the line.

We had just gone through a big dinner last night, and it's the middle of the week and all, so the two of us decided to take it easy.

Fried chicken wing (手羽唐揚げ) - gotta kick off the meal with one of these! Missed the acidity in the sauce so much. Come to think of it, I probably should have had a second one.

Pacific saury (秋刀魚) - a seasonal special that was so, soo good. Rolled with perilla leaves inside, and seasoned with some ponzu (ポン酢). We wanted another portion, but unfortunately they ran out of stock...

Shrimp taro (海老芋) - texture was so, soooo soft and fluffy. Might as well have been a pile of deep-fried mashed potato.

Kogane pork wiener (黄金豚ウィンナー) - fatty and tasty.

Fried mixed fish cake (じゃこ天) - flavors were more intense than the usual vegetable fish cake we normally order.

Squid (イカ) - very tender, as this has been scored before being battered and fried.

Crab leg (かに足) - this is always tasty, and never disappoints. Very strong flavors of the sea.

Pork chuck (豚肩ロース) - served up in cubes. Pretty tender.

Kelp with herring roe (子持ち昆布) - I won't get tired of how the fish eggs resist the pressure from my teeth and try to bounce back into shape. I really love that sensation.

Spring onion pork flank roll (豚バラねぎ巻) - what's not to like about fatty pork belly? And the diced spring onions are so tasty.

Scallop salmon roe (ほたてタルタルいくら) - the signature. The best dish. The one I must order every time I am here. I'm patiently waiting for the day when they make the T-shirt in my size.

Shrimp taro (海老芋) - OK... I had to encore something... so this was it.

A very, very happy evening. Too bad they didn't have my favorite pudding tonight...