KIKUYAMA-- Fresh and Fiery

Posted by Audrey Gallen in

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DEDHAM, MA-- If you are a fan of food and entertainment, this is the place for you. Kikuyama is a Japanese restaurant based in the downtown area of Dedham. Massachusetts. As soon as you enter Kikuyama, it is like stepping into a whole new Asian dimension. The first thing you will notice is their humongous fish aquarium that is as big as the whole wall. Very impressive, I thought. Then, the friendly hostess showed us to our seats and gave us the menu.

I was expecting that this place would be a fine intimate dining with tables for two, but I was wrong! There were 4 large squared tables with a flat grill right in the middle. As we were being seated, you can already smell the aroma of the spices. The bar was located on the other side of the dining area, they have a huge selection of different kinds of liquor and wines (I didn't try it because I am not really into drinking!).

We started with a miso soup and a regular garden salad with no dressing, followed by a platter of delicious eel and crawfish sushi. Don't get me wrong, Kikuyama does not only serve sushi, tea and salad. They have an extensive menu for meat, seafood and vegetables. One of my favorite specialty dinners are their very own Kobe Surf and Turf (Sirloin Steak and Lobster), and Teppan Grill Calamari (Grilled Squid).


After a few minutes of waiting for our order. Their waiter who is wearing a bent fork as a scarf clip rolled down his ingredients near our table. "How is everybody doing?!" He said enthusiastically as he juggled two grill spatulas. Everybody around my table was amazed, some were taking pictures with their mouths open in awe. After a few seconds of continuously juggling, he threw an egg up in the air and caught it with his spatula. He threw it up again, turned his spatula sideways and broke the egg into two halves.


"Amazing" I thought. But even before I can finish the whole sentence in my head he sprayed cooking oil on the grill and lit it on fire. "Fire!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. My eyes widened, I didn't think we had something like this in Boston.People who are arsonphobia (fear of fire) will definitely run out the restaurant-- but for me, this is definitely exciting!

The food is fresh and it is cooked carefully cooked in the way that you want it. The other upside is it is cooked right infront of you, consumers tend to enjoy their food even more when they know what exactly is in their food.

The only downside to this is I don't really recommend it for a two-people party, because you will end up brushing elbows with strangers (unless you don't mind that!). I think it is great for big groups and family night-outs.

Overall, I give Kikuyama a 4 out of 5 stars! Ambience is great, food is delicious and the hospitality of the people is fantastic!

If you want to check out their restaurant and experience the fiery goodness of Kikuyama,
please reserve your seats now and visit them today!

350 Washington Street, Dedham, MA 02026-1837
or call them at  (781) 251-2288

Here is also the link to their website: ‎

kikuyamasteakhouse.com

OAK HILL PIZZA- Super Fast Delivery, Great Customer Service

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Sitting at work for more than eight hours, I only resort to one thing when I am hungry, I pick up the phone and call Oak Hill Pizza. I have never gone to their actual store, so I cannot describe what it looks like but all I know is their pizza is like a gourmet pizza in a flash.

Usually, delivery places will make you wait 30-40 minutes, but Oak Hill will only take 15 minutes to get to where you are. I guess you can say that it depends on the proximity but I have ordered from places that are literally five blocks down from my workplace (sorry I'm lazy to walk sometimes) and still take about an hour to get my food delivered to me.

I recommend Oak Hill Pizza because of their tasty meals and great customer service. Their delivery people are always outgoing and friendly, that's a plus point if a business wants customers to return. Also, try the eggplant parmesan, maybe I'm just an eggplant fanatic but it tastes really fantastic!

Cheers!

Here's their address:

665 Saw Mill Brook Parkway
Newton Center, MA 02459

(617) 964-7009

Filipino Cuisine--- Right at My Home!

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I have been to many great restaurants but there is still no place like home. My mother and my grandmother cook the most delicious and homely meals. I think that applies to everybody--the way of their cooking will remind you of your good childhood days--and therefore satisfy your appetite. Anyway, I want to share you a list of my favorite Filipino desserts:

Leche Flan, also known as egg custard, has gotten its name from Spanish words eggs and milk. Those two are the main ingredients for this food. The brown topping is heated caramel poured all over the custard. This is absolutely delicious!
Here's a youtube link I found on how to make leche flan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4mwJvhipL0

I haven't tried it myself, but I'm definitely going to try one day!

On your right side there is one of the well-known Filipino desserts called Halo-Halo ("Halo" pronounced as Hah-Lo in tagalog, means "mix"). This dessert is a combination of many fruits and sweets. There is no specific way of making Halo-halo, all you need are the main ingredients: boiled red mung beans, sugar palm. tapioca pearls, evaporated or condensed milk, crushed ice, purple yam, sugar, ice cream and anything you want to add. This is the easiest dessert ever, all you really need to do is to "mix-it-up" no wonder it's called halo-halo.

Finally, this one right here called Turon, it is absolutely easy to make, all you need are plantains, brown sugar and spring roll wrappers. This is such an appetizing snack. It is somewhat healthy too, because the sweetness comes from the sweet plantain and not all from the brown sugar (it only gives it the caramelized look). Some people put jack fruit with the plantain to give it a tropical twist.
You should try making this at home!


Here is the recipe for Turon:
http://www.discoversandiego.com/features/cheflarry/recipes/desserts/turon.htm

So, these are my three top favorite Filipino desserts that my grandmother and my mother make every time there is a gathering at our house.

If you want to taste some of these desserts, you should come by my meetings/lectures at UMB. Contact me at AppetizineMedia@gmail.com for more information.

VIVA MI AREPA-- a taste of Venezuela

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WEST ROXBURY,MA-- Located at the intersection Grove Street and Washington Street, Viva Mi Arepa can never be missed. The aroma of the food will linger in your nose, and its inviting smell will really make you check this place out.

This is not just your ordinary restaurant-- from the moment you walk in, to the moment you leave-- you will never regret any second eating at Viva Mi Arepa. The striking thing that you will notice about the place is they only have three tables, each with four chairs, and they are always packed with people. Some of their customers take their food out, but more than half the time customers decide to dine in at Viva Mi Arepa and enjoy the Venezuelan ambience.

I can testify for the kindness and hospitality of the employees who work here. Edner Trenteetum,the owner, the chef and the waiter at Viva Mi Arepa, sat down with me and talked about the success and challenges of his business. He was born in Haiti but lived almost half his life in Venezuela where he learned how to cook Venezuelan food.  He is a very humble person, and he really cares about his customers. I think that caring about your customers is the secret to a successful business. Edner told me that his inspiration for his business is the passion of serving food to the Venezuelan community here in Boston. He said that there are many Venezuelan people but only a very few Venezuelan restaurants.

I asked Edner what challenges his restaurant is facing in this downspiraling economy, and he smiled

and said that it is the reason why he chooses to do the managing and the cooking part of the business, because then he wouldn't need to hire someone to work for him. His business is holding up very well because of his relationship with his customers. He always makes sure that their food is cooked well and served in a timely manner.

Edner recommends Paella Marinera, Beef and Cheese Cachapa, Arepa, Venezuelan Empanadas and Delicias Del Mar.
 

I have researched what people say about Viva Mi Arepa and according to most Yelpers, VMA has "excellent customer service" and I can't agree more! VMA is truly an authentic Venezuelan experience. Come give it a try!

If you want to see what the yelpers are saying, please refer to this website: http://www.yelp.com/biz/viva-mi-arepa-west-roxbury

WANNA TRY SOME AUTHENTIC VENEZUELAN FOOD?
Visit Viva Mi Arepa today!

By T: Take the bus 34 or 34E and get off at Grove St.
By Car: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?cat=viva+mi+arepa