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| It's International Sake Day Monday. Let's celebrate... |
Did you know Kanpai is the traditional Japanese toast? It literally means "Bottoms up." Check out this Wikipedia article on toasts from around the world. So interesting.
Here's What You Do does a new day plan every day. Like us on Facebook below to get updates on your Facebook page.
Here's what you do Monday
First: Tamagoyaki is a traditional Japanese breakfast. It's kind of like a rolled egg omelet. Here's a great recipe for it. Try it out at breakfast with some green tea.Note that the only thing you might not have in your kitchen is a bamboo mat for rolling the tamagoyaki. You can get one here from Amazon. ($5 for ingredients)
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| Make some tamagoyaki for breakfast - a traditional rolled egg omelet dish. |
Second: How about a Zen Garden to consider what you will do this week. Did you know the Hyatt in Buckhead has one? From the Hyatt:
"Take a little time just for you while contemplating our Japanese Zen Garden, one of the most unique hotel amenities in the Atlanta area. Designed by an award-winning Kyoto architect, this tranquil sanctuary offers a gently splashing waterfall, enchanting pond and calming garden. Feel free to discover its many hidden charms and its subtle invitation to leave the world behind–if only for a moment.
History of Our Japanese Zen Garden:
The story Japanese Garden is a piece of feng shui away from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. It’s a wonderful place to get away from your busy schedule and unwind, relax and find some inner peace.
The garden itself strives to maintain the authenticity of the garden principle founded in Japan. Mountainscape and riverscape are incorporated into the 32 foot elevation that the garden has. Local Georgia rocks and plants were chosen based on their compatibility with the traditional style of the Japanese Garden.
On the lower level of the garden, take in the view of the cascading waterfall from Onyx Lounge. Experience the garden in person as you take a walk through the upper level, taking full advantage of the visual and aural feast to the senses that the garden offers.
The water running through the garden from East to West symbolizes Luck and Prosperity. Features of the garden include the Main Gate, bridge, Azumaya (open tea house), bamboo fence in the traditional Japanese carpentry style, Kakeni (well type basin), Karesansui (dry landscape) and of course the rock arrangements."
Head down to the Hyatt and check out the garden from the Onyx Lounge. Then take a walk through. On the way out, don't forget to try a sake at the lounge to celebrate International Sake Day. $10 per person for drinks.
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| Walk through the Zen Garden at the Buckhead Grand Hyatt. |
Third: Lunch time. RA Sushi is having an International Sake Day special. $1 for hot sake all day. Give it a try. Have a little sushi too. Maybe a super crunch. Goes so well with sake. $15 per person.
Fourth: In Japan, the nap is used as much as a business tool as a way to pass the time in the afternoon. More and more businesses are encouraging 90 minute naps after lunch. Studies show the nap increases learning capability and retention. Check it out in this article.
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| The Japanese have found out what all toddlers have known for centuries. Naps make for a better afternoon. Follow suit, my friends. |
Finally: Dinner at Nakato. It's one of the best Japanese places in town. First, order some hot sake. Now Nakato has some great choices in the sake department. Here's the list:
Nigori and Flavored Sakes 300ml
SHIRAKAWAGO, White River Unfiltered NIGORI sake, $20
UME SAKE, Plum Sake Plum infused sake, $18
HOSHI USAGI, Star Rabbit Blueberry sparkling sake, $19
YUZU-SHU, YUZU Citron flavored sake Fukushima, $20
JUNMAI DAIGINJYO SAKE, 720 ml
YOI NO TSUKI, Midnight Moon Iwate, $130
A delightful combination of Daiginjo refinement and a bold finish
KUBOTA MANJYU,Millions of Celebrations Niigata, $185
winner of countless sake gold medals a crowning achievement from 500 years of sake making
MURASAKI NO MINE, Purple Mountain Ibaragi, $230
refined subtle sweet flavor, and smooth, clean finish
The Shirakawago is great. If you are REALLY into the sake experience, go with one of the Junmai daiginjyo sakes. They're the good stuff. Have a good conversation with your server to get to the bottom of celebrating sake day right.
Next, order dinner. A good bet is the Skokado, which is Five seasonal chef’s choice items served in a shokado box set. The menu consists of a sashimi platter, tempura assortment, chawan-mushi, sunomono (vinaigrette dish), and a slow cooked dish. The course menu is served with miso soup and steamed rice. $40. It's all you need.
40.00
In the mood for sushi? They have a great selection. Try some sashimi with the hot sake. Goes perfectly together.
The meal should be about $60 per person.
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| Have Dinner at Nakato. Enjoy the sushi with some high dollar sake. |
Book Keeping
For two people:Breakfast: $5
Zen Garden and Sake: $20
RA Sushi: $30
Nap: $Free
Nakato: $120
Total: $175
Day Map:
View international sake day in a larger map
Carbon Footprint:
Today's full day plan can take up to about 15 mi. of driving, if your home base is midtown Atlanta. That equates to about 12 pounds of carbon dioxide, or the carbon sequestered by about 2 sq feet of forest. Calculations are based on the U.S. EPA's green house gas equivalencies calculator.
15 miles of driving
12 pounds of carbon dioxide
2 square feet of forest would be required to sequester this carbon.
Wonder why a gallon of gas (about 6 pounds) generates 20 pounds of green house gas? Check out this article at Slate.com.
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