Last Hurrah

 

Today and tomorrow, I’m in Troy, Michigan, for client meetings. Normally for these types of fly-by trips when I barely step outside the walls of a conference room, I won’t bother writing a post. But, this trip is significant because it will be my last biz trip with D&E.  My last day is next week. I start at Rosetta later this month to help build a social media department, and I couldn’t be more excited! 

I know what you might be thinking: new baby and a new job = crazy. Maybe I am, but I feel ready for the challenge, and Rosetta could not have been more accommodating so far for me and my bun. I know pretty well the people I’ll be working with on my core team, and that makes this new venture (at Ad Age's 2011 Top Agency to Watch, no less) much less daunting. Plus, I have an incredible partner in my hubs, who has been relentlessly supportive.

But, back to Troy.  I’ve been lucky enough to travel with one of my favorite co-workers, and after a long day of driving and meetings, we hit the nail salon and Morton’s for fab nails and a big, beefy meal. Our meetings were in a glass-windowed conference room across the street from the restaurant, and I kept staring at the sign ALL DAY. A girl can’t go wrong with filet and sautéed spinach. Mmmm!

San Fran is soon, so stay tuned for recaps of our first family vacay.

Shabu shabu in Cleveland! Finally!

It’s been nearly three years since my trip to Japan, and I finally found and sampled shabu shabu in Cleveland! In case you’re not familiar, shabu shabu is a Japanese version of hot pot and translates to “swish swish” from the sound of the razor-thin meat and veggies you stir briefly in the pot. 

In late December, my Japan trip companion, Gina, and I went to Ginko in Tremont, one of Dante Boccuzzi’s newest restaurants. It’s actually housed below Dante (love that place). In addition to my excitement for a shabu shabu reunion, from what I had heard from friends’ reviews, I couldn’t wait to try the restaurant. I’ve loved every encounter with Dante’s restaurants, and I really like the chef. (During the Taste of Tremont this summer, I happily chatted with him about Ginko’s upcoming opening.) 

Ginko’s space is cozy with a fun circular sushi bar, very similar to the restaurant Gina and I visited in Tokyo where we first tried shabu shabu. There are two tables for shabu-shabu cooking – the top center of the table lifts up to reveal an electric burner to heat the broth, meat and veggies. Shabu shabu is so fun because it’s interactive. You dunk your meat and veggies in the broth for 10 seconds to two minutes and then dip them in two types of sauces. While we were eating, I could almost hear the "arigatou gozaimasu" from all the servers we encountered in Japan. :)

While our meal was delish, unfortunately, I think we visited on an off-night for service. The two shabu-shabu tables are the only seating for which Ginko accepts reservations, so I made sure to request a table more than a month before our visit. However, when we arrived, the hostess had no record of our reservation and was rather combative about it. Instead of apologizing, she said we could have a table, but she needed it back by 8. We also had a snafu with our server, but she did apologize and take a sushi roll off of our bill. 

Based on advice from Chef’s Widow about how to handle a less thanstellar restaurant experience, I emailed the chef that night to let him know about our experience, but I never heard back from him. 

Regarding the sushi and shabu shabu, they were great! There are two beef options for shabu shabu: Angus for $25 or Kobe for $50. We both went with Angus and weren’t disappointed. Since I’m pregs (SURPRISE!), we stuck to veggie sushi rolls: avocado/cucumber. Mmmm!

The shabu shabu is definitely worth trying, but make sure to make a reservation before you go because of the longer dining experience. When you call, specifically request a shabu-shabu table.

Have sippy cup, will travel

Just booked our first fam vacay to visit friends in San Francisco in January! The Pickle is United's newest frequent flying tot...can't wait to get his official card in the mail.

Just saw this post yesterday from Travel Savvy Mom about visiting San Francisco with kids --
lots I did during my 2008 trip and definitely some new things to try.

Parents with kiddos who have flown across the coast with a tot: please send travel tips. :)