Fine cut!
The Japanese section of LA was almost deserted except for one restaurant highly recommended by the parking attendant.
Don’t laugh. He knew his stuff. Once we got there the joint was packed, no seats were available. So we stood there waiting for our turn. I stepped outside. A man walked up to me, a street poet. We talked for a while, but when I walked back in the restaurant Tatiana told me I had forgotten to give my name to reserve a table (I thought it was obvious we were right there) so we were set back another half hour!
Shabu-Shabu house is not a tourist trap, does not need more customers and is not service oriented, but when you finally sit at their counter you feel protected and cared for. A true paradox…
There is only one thing on the menu. Beef, cut as thinly as possible and raw vegetables. In front of you boiling water. You dip your meat in the water for a few seconds or more then two sauces are prepared and you go on and make your little meal at your rhythm. I ate like a king, the meat is actually cut frozen, so they can slice it that thin. It is so red it looks fake, but the taste is not!
I did not feel heavy and told the owner Maruyama on the way out that he gave us a Zen lesson of patience… for free! We will be back.
