Nikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 560 — map & image data — nearby photos
Setting Out the Hors d'Oeuvres
Chef Koji Ueshima at AIC Akitsushima Kyoto
Earlier this summer I got the chance to visit — and eat a fabulous dinner at — AIC Akitsushima Kyoto (AIC秋津洲京都), and though I didn't get a chance to take any proper pictures, I did snap some as I went. It's a shame, because the entire small property was absolutely stunning, both in design and in execution.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/30 sec, f/2.8, ISO 500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Entrance Lobby
To be frank, I'm not entirely clear about what this place is, but I do know that part of it is a restaurant open to the public (restaurant web site). It's related to a college in Auckland, so in addition to the 8% tax that's added to your bill, an additional 10% is added as a “scholarship fee” that presumably goes directly to the college.
Other than the small area that's open to the public, I got the impression that the rest of it was used as a club, for members. I joined the evening as a guest of my masseur friend Kentaro Kataoka. The president of the organization that owns this place is also a massage client, so he hosted us for the evening.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 22mm — 1/50 sec, f/4.5, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Unassuming Entrance
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Lobby-side Bar
with an original Chagall hanging nearby
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Pre-Dinner Mingling
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 17mm — 1/30 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
The site is quite small, but the place is designed very well, so it feels much bigger. I got a quick tour.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 1100 — map & image data — nearby photos
Little Patio
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/100 sec, f/3.2, ISO 4500 — map & image data — nearby photos
Relaxation Room
with both a nice fireplace, and a garden view
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Mini Teppanyaki Counter
for intimate dinners
( but wow, the art on the wall gives me the creeps )
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 125 — map & image data — nearby photos
Entrance
to the restaurant
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Small Restaurant
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Kitchen
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Passageway
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Up to the Second Level
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 2200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Lovely Bedroom
I'm not exactly sure why
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/100 sec, f/2.8, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
Bath
overlooking the garden
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Dining Room
where our group would eat
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Lots of Cutlery
I'm not sure what to do with four forks, four knives, a spoon, and a pair of chopsticks
Nikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1/100 sec, f/3.5, ISO 900 — map & image data — nearby photos
Cheers!
The dinner was fantastic...
Nikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1/100 sec, f/2.2, ISO 125 — map & image data — nearby photos
Sashimi on Radish
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Pasta with Caviar
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Group Shot
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Fish with Peppers
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The Most Amazing Cheese Plate Ever
I'm not the biggest fan of cheese, but this plate of small bits of cheese was by far the highlight of an evening of highlights. Each one was amazing, and I took the smallest possible little nibbles, to prolong the experience. Each little nibble came with an explosion of taste that I can hardly describe.
I dragged out the plate as long as I could, then spent the next while suppressing the urge to steal from others who had been slowed down by conversation.
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 14mm — 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 560 — map & image data — nearby photos
Dessert
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More Dessert
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Coffee
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Yet More Dessert
Nikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 @ 24mm — 1/100 sec, f/4, ISO 900 — map & image data — nearby photos
Hot Tea
What a memorable evening. I definitely hope to get back sometime with my camera, for dinner, or for both.
That sofa!
Any idea of exactly what kinds of cheese you had?
Yes, delicious. (I don’t know anything beyond that, unfortunately) —Jeffrey
I hate it when you post photos of food like this and I forget to put on a bib before looking at them.
Everything looked delicious, especially the beef, but having raised you. I wondered if the small portions shown were enough to satisfy you?
It was surprisingly filling, and just in case, there was unlimited wine to fill any gaps that might have been left in the tummy. —Jeffy
That could be a place to have a party when I leave the hospital!! 🙂
Great food shots too of course…
Oh yum!
I’m Swiss and I think I can identify one of the bits of cheese you ate. The cheese in the middle might have been “Tête de Moine” a Swiss cheese specialty:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%AAte_de_Moine
Personally, I like it very much (when it is freshly scraped).