I think I'm turning Japanese

When: Wednesday 11 January 2012
Where: Auckland, New Zealand
Weather: Warm, but windy
Plans: Dinner with a friend
Listen to this while reading: The Vapors - Turning Japanese


We decide, as usual, to head to Tanuki's Cave, an underground Japanese restaurant we have been to so many times before we know most of the staff by name. We walk down the dark stairs (which is always a mission, after the late afternoon sunlight) and are greeted by a unanimous "Irasshaimase" as a welcome, and our favourite waitress, Eleanor, gives us a warm hug and wishes us a happy new year. This is why I love this place!

Usually there is a wait for a table (they generally say 20 minutes, but it is rarely ever anywhere near that long), but on this Wednesday night at around 7:45pm, we are shown straight to two seats around the central bar. It seems our lucky night continues when they inform us that the 1 litre cans of Asahi are on special. With our beer on it's way, we take a quick look at the monthly specials on offer, and decide we like the look of the Chicken Karakage, along with standard menu items of Chicken Mince Balls, Mushrooms stuffed with Chicken Mince, Kumara with Butter and Salt and the Raw Cabbage with Japanese Mayonnaise.

The wait is never long for the cabbage, and this arrives not long after our drinks. The crunchy, salty cabbage against the light, sweet japanese mayonnaise is the perfect starter. The other dishes come out fast and piping hot. The sweet and sour sauce which is layered over the Chicken Karakage, has both myself and my friend practically licking the plate, and as usual we try to mop up every drop of the soy which the mushrooms are soaking in. When the Kumara arrives in front of us, the knobs of butter are still melting on top of the chunky sliced and grilled sweet potato. We both attempt to soak as much of it into the kumara as possible.

It takes us a lot longer than usual to devour all the deliciousness that is in front of us, so we order another can of beer and enjoy the atmosphere, In around two hours, the Cave goes from heavingly busy, to relatively quiet. I appreciate that a restaurant this busy, moves people through so rapidly and yet you are made to feel welcome now matter how long it takes you to finish your meal.

Splitting the bill between the two of us, it comes to $35 each - which I find more than satisfactory, considering I almost can't make it back up the stairs due to the amount of food I have consumed.


Tanuki's Cave: 9/10 (We also ordered a "Mexican Chicken Karakage", however when it arrived "Mexican" meant "Avocado" - which is one food I can't stand! My own fault for ordering Mexican in a Japanese restaurant!)



http://www.sakebars.co.nz/cave/

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