On My Street

Once a year, for about 2 weeks, My street is transformed. The canal that runs the length of our street in front of my apartment building is lined with Cherry trees, and once a year it becomes famously gorgeous. Each year it seems, more people come to enjoy. This year it was quite cold for the first week so the crowds were thin, BUT this weekend the weather got nice and everyone was out. Streets were packed. We get lots of great street vendors, and hot wine. The street is still technically open for cars but the masses really keep the cars out which I LOVE.

Anyway, this little shot is just a glimpse of last night.

One of the down sides is if I want to go out to eat and not eat vendor food I have to leave my neighborhood as all my favorite joints are packed! This must be what it is like to live in a tourist area year- I definitely don't think I would want to do it year around. But for two weeks it is kind of exciting.

Huit; Wonderful Little Joint in My Neighborhood

One of my favorite neighborhood spots is a little french place called Huit. I love their 3 cheese plate, and the great pate' (above) it's a great homemade place- warm decor, fresh baked bread, and the staff knows us know so we get a good table and great service. YUM.

They have some great 1000 yen lunch sets too- with bread and tasty iced-tea.

This is a wonderful place to have a simple dinner, or to relax in the afternoon- with my e-mobile wi-fi device I can even hang out there and work on my laptop. It is quite cozy. The owners have also eshewed fancy interior design and done a real DIY deal on the place. Handmade wooden shelving, and mix and match tables and chairs add tons of charm. AND it is right along the river on a shady back corner, trees, and flowers... very lovely.

Hanami Picnic

A view of our cheese, crackers, salami and wine under the cherry trees. We had a little impromptu picnic. Quite nice. The streets around my place are still jam packed with cherry blossom viewers. We probably have about a week left- before the trees go all green and leafy and the blossoms are done for another year.

This year was extraordinary so far, weather wise. Fairly mild, very sunny, not too windy. Ideal for a long extended blossom season. I am off on Friday and hopeful that it will stay nice and I will get another good day to people and blossom watch.

(yes, those are my crocs- and no I don't care that they are not popular any more- they are still comfortable.)

celebratory drinks at Higashiya Sabo

So I am very proud of my wonderful husband this week, with much negotiating and hard work in numerous interviews he has gotten a new, very good job. He is an IT guy so getting good jobs and contracts is something he has done before, but this is a very good job at a perfect time. So we are both quite happy this week.

He found out yesterday, but with all the stuff going on this week, events at the restaurant, meetings and such... tonight was the first chance we had to have a nice quiet celebratory drink together...

Down the street from us is a gorgeous traditional yet modern Japanese sweets shop called Higashiya and at night above the shop there is a gorgeous little bar. We had a nice time trying to read the Japanese menu, and we got a chance to sample some of their creations. Definitely a nice place to go back to.

The building is old and new at the same time, and attention is paid to details of every aspect of service and atmosphere. Click around on their website and you will get an idea of their style. I really like this place. Would be a nice spot to go to with good friends. I want to try the food and tea during the day as well.