Mizutani (9F, Juno Ginza Seiwa Bldg, 8-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; tel. 03-3573-5258) is undoubtedly one of the greatest sushi chefs in history. Some call his rice “mushy” or not al dente enough, but the disciple of the legendary Jiro Ono has really mastered the perfect rice. Very different than the…

Chef Oshima Manabu is one of the most charming and nicest chefs I’ve met in Tokyo. He runs steakhouse Shima (9〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo, Nihonbashi, 3−5−12, 日本橋MMビルB1; tel. +81 3-3271-7889), located in an office building basement and difficult to spot even when you have a precise map. Different than other steak powerhouses…

Butagumi ( 2-24-9 Nishiazabu, Minato, Tokyo 106-0031, tel. +81 3-5466-6775 ), a tonkatsu paradise 5 minutes walk off the main Roppongi road, is where all the best pigs of Japan go when they die. Think of a double-sided menu, all dedicated for pork fillets and sirloins from various Japanese regions. Good pork…

Matsukawa is an introduction only kaiseki restaurant, considered by many, notably tabelog.com users, as the best in Tokyo. A friend of mine invited me there, but had last minute plan changes and I ended up going to Matsukawa alone. He warned me about two things before transferring his reservation on…

My interview with Die Welt ( in German) and freshly published The Hollywood Reporter documentary review. Meanwhile, my posts from Japan coming soon 😉 (Think Matsukawa, Sushi Saito, Mizutani, Ishikawa, etc, etc!)

To paraphrase the old saying, if the sea won’t come to a Japanese sushi chef, the sushi chef will go to the sea. This is certainly true in the case of 3 Michelin starred chef from Tokyo Toru Okuda, who just opened an intimate, “Edo-mae” style sushi- ya next to…

Speaking of über ingredients, these green peas were served at the Foodies documentary reception at Maria Cristina hotel, organized by Jon Warren from San Sebastian gourmet tours. When someone says “you must try those peas”(not Iberico ham or other gourmet food, served at the cocktail), you better do. Think of…

Ibai (Calle de Getaria, 15, 20005 San Sebastián, Spain; tel. +34 943 42 87 64 ) is one of those little known, “gem” restaurants, foodies dream to discover one day. With no Michelin stars and hard to book, Ibai is considered by some, as one the best, if not the…

So the official Foodies documentary screening took place two days ago at San Sebastian film festival. Despite meeting each other individually, it was the first time we met in person altogether. The movie premiere went really well – all the three screenings, which were part of Culinary Zinema section, were…

Just arrived to San Sebastian film festival to attend the official Foodies documentary screening this evening. I am trying to squeeze in some meals during the very short time I am here and yesterday’s visit to Kaia Kaipe was more than worth the thirty minutes drive from San Sebastian. It…