{"id":2817,"date":"2017-08-20T22:09:14","date_gmt":"2017-08-20T13:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2017-08-20\/2817"},"modified":"2017-08-20T22:09:14","modified_gmt":"2017-08-20T13:09:14","slug":"an-unforgettable-dinner-at-aic-akitsushima-kyoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/2017-08-20\/2817","title":{"rendered":"An Unforgettable Dinner at AIC Akitsushima Kyoto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSetting Out the Hors d'Oeuvres<\/i><\/span>\nChef Koji Ueshima<\/a> at AIC Akitsushima Kyoto<\/I>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

Earlier this summer I got the chance to visit — and eat a fabulous<\/span> dinner at — AIC Akitsushima Kyoto\n(AIC\u79cb\u6d25\u6d32\u4eac\u90fd<\/span><\/a>), and though I didn't<\/span>\nget a chance<\/span> to take any proper pictures, I did snap<\/span> some as I went.<\/span> It's a shame<\/span>, because the entire small property was absolutely stunning,\nboth in design and in execution.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>30 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nEntrance Lobby<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

To be frank, I'm not entirely clear about what this place is, but I do<\/span> know that part of it is a restaurant<\/span> open to the public\n(restaurant web site<\/a>). It's related<\/span> to a college<\/span> in Auckland, so in addition to\nthe 8% tax that's added to your bill, an additional 10% is added as a “<\/span>scholarship fee”<\/span> that presumably goes directly to the college.<\/p>\n\n

Other than the small area that's open to the public, I got the<\/span> impression that the rest of it was\nused as a club,<\/span> for members. I joined<\/span> the evening as a\nguest<\/span> of my masseur friend Kentaro Kataoka<\/a>. The president<\/span> of the\norganization that owns this place is also a massage<\/span> client, so he hosted us for the evening.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 22mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>50 sec, f<\/span>\/4.5, ISO 220 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nUnassuming Entrance<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/6.3, ISO 4500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLobby-side Bar<\/span>\nwith an original Chagall hanging nearby\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 15mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>50 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPre-Dinner Mingling<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 17mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>30 sec, f<\/span>\/4.5, ISO 200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The site is quite small, but the place is designed very well, so it feels much bigger. I got a<\/span> quick tour.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 1100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLittle Patio<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/3.2, ISO 4500 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nRelaxation Room<\/span>\nwith both a nice fireplace, and a garden<\/span> view\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 2200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMini Teppanyaki<\/a> Counter<\/span>\nfor intimate dinners\n( but wow, the art on the wall gives me the creeps )\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 125 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nEntrance<\/span>\nto the restaurant\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 900 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSmall Restaurant<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 450 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nKitchen<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 3200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPassageway<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 2000 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nUp to the Second Level<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 2200 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLovely Bedroom<\/span>\nI'm not exactly sure why\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 450 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBath<\/span>\noverlooking the garden\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/7.1, ISO 6400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nDining Room<\/span>\nwhere our group would eat\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 19mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 320 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nLots of Cutlery<\/span>\nI'm not sure what to do with four forks, four knives, a spoon,<\/span> and a pair<\/span> of chopsticks\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/3.5, ISO 900 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCheers!<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

The dinner was fantastic<\/i>...<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/2.2, ISO 125 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nSashimi on Radish<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>125 sec, f<\/span>\/1.4, ISO 100 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nPasta with Caviar<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 15mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/5.6, ISO 3600 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nGroup Shot<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 23mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/2.8, ISO 450 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nFish with Peppers<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 50mm f\/1.4 — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nBeef<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 400 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nThe Most Amazing Cheese Plate Ever<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

I'm not the biggest fan of cheese, but this plate of small bits of cheese was by far the highlight\nof an evening of highlights. Each one was amazing<\/i>, and I took<\/span> the smallest possible little nibbles,\nto prolong the experience. Each little nibble came with an explosion of taste that I can<\/span> hardly\ndescribe.<\/p>\n\n

I dragged out the plate as long as I could,<\/span> then spent the next while suppressing the urge to steal from\nothers who had been slowed down by conversation.<\/p>\n\n

<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 14mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 560 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nDessert<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 800 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nMore Dessert<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 720 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nCoffee<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 23mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 450 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nYet More Dessert<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n
<\/a>\nNikon D4 + Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 @ 24mm — 1<\/sup>\/<\/big>100 sec, f<\/span>\/4, ISO 900 —\nmap & image data<\/a> — nearby photos<\/a><\/span>\nHot Tea<\/span>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

What a memorable evening. I definitely hope to get back sometime with my camera, for dinner, or for both.<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Earlier this summer I got the chance to visit -- and eat a fabulous dinner at -- AIC Akitsushima Kyoto (AIC\u79cb\u6d25\u6d32\u4eac\u90fd), 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.<\/p>

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% [...]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2817"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2817"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2817\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/regex.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}