January is almost over!

Ozoni (Japanese traditional New Year soup with kochi), made in Donabe

We had the busiest December, then another busy month of January...now this month is almost over, too.

During Christmas holidays, we spent a long week in Riviera Maya to relax and also to enjoy some adventures. I went back to Chichen Itza for the first time in 15 (or 16) years. Jason jumped in to a cenote!


We come to Riviera Maya every year past years...we always have a great time.


For the Near Year, back in LA, I cooked Osechi Ryori (traditional Japanese New Year dishes) and we had a nice celebration.

I hope it's not too late to say this here...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Trip to Tulum (January 2013)...Final day

(Day 8)
We couldn't believe it was already our last day and we were going back to LA in the afternoon. It felt like we just arrive yesterday.

　　　　　
Our pick-up was at 2.30 pm, so we enjoyed the beach as much as we wanted until then.

　　
Jason was silly enough to try "crazy ball". I couldn't stop laughing watching him rolling and falling inside of the ball!

　
Our final lunch was at our favorite Mexican patio restaurant in the resort. I had arrachera, which was grilled flank steak with chili sauce. I requested flour tortillas and the piping hot freshly made tortillas came. I made tacos with the steak, pumpkin flour puree, and grilled cactus. Super good.


Back in LA, my first meal was Mexican again! Guisados opened its Echo Park location. I've been a fan of their tacos since they opened the original location in Boyle Heights...I want to try everything on their menu.

Trip to Tulum (January 2013)...All Mexican

(Day 7)
Good morning, Tulum.


It turned out to become the hottest day in this trip.


All day long, we enjoyed beach and pool.


And, of course, lunch. I love local fresh cheese. I like it in my salad. My tacos were so good.


After the sunset, we were at our private lounge again. I made my original cocktail with campari, rose wine, orange juice, and sparkling water. I think I did a good job!


Since it was our final night in this trip, we decided to do Mexican. Oaxacan cheese with chili sauce was a real good appetizer...almost dangerously so, because I couldn't stop eating it with tortillas.


Mexican lime soup was followed by Mexican handmade noodles "fideo"...when I saw it, I thought it was Japanese "soba"! Indeed, even the serving style was like soba, as the thin noodles were served with dipping sauce. The noodles was seasoned with butter, lime, and chili, and served warm. The warm dipping sauce was cream-base with small cubes of local fresh cheese. Wow, I had never experienced Mexican "soba" and it was really good.


My main course was grilled salmon "al pastor". Really nice.

Trip to Tulum (January 2013)...Another relaxing day in Caribbean

(Day 6)
We've been waking up around 6.30 am and enjoy the morning air and sunrise.


Beautiful beach of Yucatan Peninsula never gets old.


We had another nice relaxing day in our resort today. For lunch, I had Peruvian ceviche and fish tacos, and Jason loved his fish burger so much.


We also did a couple massage in a "jungle suite" at the spa. Our glass-walled room was surrounded by jungle. I had a nice rejeuvenating time. After the massage, we relaxed again in a private lounge. I made a cocktail with Champagne and a splash of Mexican aperitif called Amargo-Vallet, which is 90-proof, and made from wood bark. It was very nice.


Dinner was Italian at a restaurant in our hotel. My roasted local snapper was quite good.


Golden Globe by the pool...ahaha.