Restaurant: Maihama 舞浜

In no way do I consider myself to be a foodie. But I do appreciate a good meal from time to time. And living in Tokyo provides one with ample opportunity to try something new. So today as I trudge through the first of many Rainy afternoons( Japanese rainy season=> end of May through July) I am writing this entry about a decent Japanese fish restaurant in Shinbashi Tokyo. Maihama is the name of this back alley restaurant. I only stopped when I saw the long line figuring it must be decent.
I came last week for the Japanese harvest fish目鯛めだい for one thousand yen or about 10 bucks American. It was pretty good. Good enough for a second try anyway. Today is Saba no Miso-ni (サバの味噌煮. (chub) mackerel in miso sauce. Looks good huh?  Clockwise from the top left: Mackerel in Miso sauce, @#$#, Miso soup, pickled vegetables, white rice, steamed egg with mushroom and pork, and in the center is a selection of various sashimi (raw fish). 10 bucks? are you kidding me!

 Map to find this back alley restaurant. Shimbashi, KarasuMori Exit, The blue dot is the restaurant. I recommend using the KFC a block from the station as a landmark. Good luck!

*Maihama is also the name of a famous area/station in Tokyo, and often confuses Japanese when talking about this restaurant. fyi.

A random MAY DAY

Time for a brief update and brain dump.
Just bought and registered a new motorcycle, a classic looking 250cc Yamaha, heavy enough to have some substance to it, but still narrow enough for lane-splitting. Just gotta find a GPS, a tank bag, and a new helmet and I will be set for some long distance riding. I think my first stop will be to the northern tip of Aomori to visit Obikawa, the crazy Tofu-maker.

Also got a new place in Ikebukuro, a comparatively cheaper area of Tokyo. With this move, I was just looking to stretch out a bit, learn something new about Tokyo. I have been living in a bunk for the last year, but the bunk was located 3 minutes from Tokyo station which is a really clean, ritzy area. So on paper it looks like I am downgrading (so said the loud-mouthed, porky pig look-a-look behind the counter of the insurance company last week)  but in reality I am upgrading to my own room with a balcony, parking for the new motorcycle and a new neighborhood to explore. I am excited. Albeit extremely busy.

Last week I celebrated my 27th birthday with friends at Yoyogi Park. Played football with Eric and some Japanese friends which is all I wanted for my birthday. Everything else was a bonus.

Continuing the count down to the JLPT, Japanese Language Proficiency Exam. I have been studying in between fulfilling social obligations ;) (aka going out), my own birthday party, and moving. July 7th I take the plunge. I hope first for motivation to keep studying and secondly to pass the damn thing. Top level might have been too ambitious.(yikes!)

Oh and just ate a box of Macaroni and cheese which Gram sent over from Wisconsin. It has been in the cupboard which I am slowly clearing out and eating up before completing the move. I didn't have any butter or milk to make it according to directions so I improvised with the only thing I had left in the fridge, a 1L bottle of Sesame Salad Dressing... anyway, that's life in a nutshell.

Til next time.