Nightfall

We concluded our first day with an experience that no photo can capture (plus, we didn't take any :). We were having a little trouble finding a restaurant that was open, but stumbled across a little hole that had beef and an English menu displayed - score! It was absolutely amazing. This area is known for its Hida beef and Houba miso sauce, as we learned, and this is what we had for dinner. The proprieter's wife first brought out a little grill and lit it, then brought out small cast-iron griddles which she covered and placed over the fire. As we waited for our meal to cook, we ate tofu seasoned with something we couldn't quite place - tea, or licorice, or something - sitting in soy sauce and topped with sesame seeds. Yum! The main course was what was amazing, though. It consisted of small strips of Hida beef (just under 1/4" thick and about 2" long) cooked in this Houba miso paste - sweeter and milder than regular miso - with enoki mushrooms and, of course, a side of steamed rice. It was absolutely amazing; beef that just melted in your mouth and had a fantastic taste. I don't normally particularly care for miso, but this was amazing. A great date night! A good time for me to stop for the evening now, too! My week is looking a little busy, but I'll try to get the rest of these pictures up shortly nonetheless. Stay tuned - the best is yet to come!