This year, my Mother’s Day happened in June. With two older children on the other side of the globe, the baby of the family took me out on the town.
Some Like it Hot at The Shubert Theater was absolutely glorious! Music, choreography, costumes, dancing — everything!
And the company! I thought of my mom. She loved the original movie so much! When we saw it together in a movie theater she slid off her chair down on the floor crying laughing and barely made it to the bathroom. Little me was so embarrassed. Keeping that in mind, I now tried to behave.
We had great seats. Although high, not an inch of the stage was obstructed. It also was interesting to actually notice the beauful details of the building. When is there time on Broadway to raise your head and look around? At the beginning, you’re always late because traffic. At the end, there’s always rush because bathroom.
After the show, we stopped at the place my son took me to years ago, a Japanese Sake Bar Hagi. Since that first visit, the restaurant moved from a basement on the corner of 49th & 7th to the stylish spacious brick-wall space on 51st & 8th. The quality of the food has not been affected by the time.
Considering it was Midtown Manhattan Theater District, the service was business. To be honest, with this food and atmosphere, I can see a large company getting stuck here for a long time:
— You have two hours, — greeted the hostess showing us to our table.
We were business, too. In no time we decided on our selection of small plates and cleaned them up in under an hour.
Takowasa, Wasabi Flavored Sliced Raw Octopus, our favorite. This gray goopy slimy pile — salty, sesamy with a serious wasabi heat — was plain addictive. Challenging with chopsticks. But we managed.
Yellowtail Sashimi was melting in the mouth as it should.
For a side of greens, there were Fried Shishito Peppers with Ponzu and Bonito Flakes. Maybe because Lizzie was not with us — she always gets that hot one — every piece in our bowl was mellow. The bonito shavings, though — so umami!
Ika Yaki, our obligatory Grilled Squid with Teriyaki Sauce. How could we miss that other family favorite on the menu. Perfection!
Kushiyaki Set with Pork Belly, Beef, Shrimp, Chicken Thighs, and Chicken Breast Grilled Skewers. That little platter started slowing us down.
A skillet with Bara Ninniku, Pork Belly with Garlic Shoots and Bean Sprouts, at first seemed like a lot. But it was so tasty that no leftovers were taken home.
These days, small plates seem like the best way to go — so many things to try, so much interesting food, but the space is limited.