ScorpioEL

I know this may be considered maybe bad manners but since I have no shame... If I know I am crazy full as I am getting served the second to last course, which is usually before when they serve you the last rice course I will actually tell them I am full and to not give me the rice. I'd rather they not waste their rice on me since I won't be able to eat more than a few bites. I figure that maybe they'd appreciate it since they may think it wasteful if you get served the rice course and it looks like you didn't touch your bowl of rice. So I will tell either the wait staff or chef in my broken Japanese - "Gomen na-sai, ippai des. Gohan taberi-nai." (gesturing fullness). This basically translate - I am sorry but I am full. I cannot eat rice. I hope that helps.

Oh and I forgot to mention that if there is something you really do not like, so say natto for example, we would say... CornellRob: Sumimasen, natto nee-ga-te (gesturing dislike with the Japanese gesture for no by crossing your hands into an x). (Sorry, natto is not for me)

eternal - Usually when CornellRob and I are at a restaurant/izakaya when we first get seated the wait staff or chef will ask what would we like to drink (Nani o nomimasu ka?). After we get our drinks that is when the chef (we usually go to counter restaurants) will ask what we would like to eat. That is when we fumble with our broken Japanese and say the following phrases with LOTS of hand gestures. It's kind of like playing charades. Chef: Nani o taberu shitai to omoimasu? (What would you like to eat?) CornellRob: Sumimasen - tabe osusumewa (points to chef) go-cen yen (points to himself), go-cen yen (points to me). Nademo taberemas. Nama daijobu, sashimi daijobu, nademo daijobu. (Excuse me, your food recommendation ¥5000, ¥5000. We eat everything. Raw is okay, sashimi is okay, everything is okay.) In this example I just used ¥5000 as an example but you can insert whatever price. It is important to let them know you eat everything so you won't wind up with funky western-Japanese dishes because they think since you're a foreigner that you won't eat the good interesting stuff. Sometime the chef will ask if the price we set is to include drinks too or only food. Sorry I have no idea how that is said in Japanese. But CornellRob will clarify that it is for food only. CornellRob: Tabe only, tabe only (gesturing eating). Tabe go-cen yen (sticks his hand out to indicate the ¥5000 level) toe nomi (gesturing with his other hand going above the ¥5000 food price limit we set with the chef). (Eat/food only, eat/food only. Food ¥5000 and drink) Usually they understand when you do that. So I hope that helps. Also we usually carry this very helpful book around with us sometimes called, "Japan (The Original Point And Speak Book)" that you can buy on Amazon. Also by the same author is a point and speak book dedicated to Japanese food. Usually when chefs see that book they really open up and that's when the attempt to banter with the chef begins. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Japan-Original-Point-Speak-Book/dp/4795818436 http://www.whiterabbitpress.com/product.php?productid=16876

FYI - Meets Regional is a food magazine that I "think" is only available in the Kansai area. So sorry for the folks who live in the Tokyo/Yokohama area. However if you really want and live in Japan and can read Japanese, I know you can order back issues of Meets Regional (http://lmaga.jp/meets/). If you do live in the Kansai area you can pick up issues at the 1st of the month at your local konbini (i.e. Lawson, FamilyMart etc.)

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

Hello, Does anyone have any suggestions for restaurants that can accommodate a large group of about 30 people for dinner that is mid-priced, not too formal/stuffy and caters more to the local Philly crowd? Thanks, Liz

It's actually 2 courses at $38 - and you're right - chef's choice. ← Sorry to ask, but what is EMP?

Thanks Fat Guy, this information is very helpful and good to keep in mind for the future.

Didn't they not too long ago get a new executive chef?

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I expect that we will have to have a pre-fix menu lunch considering the size of the group. I didn't know if restaurants would be willing to allow a group of 25 to allow everyone to order a la carte. Also, I don't want to wind up at a white linen restaurant. Last year, I organized our holiday lunch at kittichai, but that was when we were 18. By the way, when I mentioned $35/person, I was not including tax, tip and drinks.

Well I guess my criterias would be that the private room/space would comfortably fit 25 people. It would have to be at a restaurant that has plenty of options for vegetarians, which is about half the staff but they still eat fish/seafood. And our budget is probably $35/person for lunch, which does not include drinks. Thanks!

Hello, I have been in charge over the past couple of years in coordinating my organization's holiday lunches. Over the past 5 years, our staff has grown from 5 to 25. This year's holiday lunch, I thought it would be more fun, and less annoying for fellow diners, to have our own private dining room. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for restaurants that have a private dining space open for lunch that can accommodate 25 people comfortably. Currently, I am thinking of looking into 5 Ninth, Alto and Craftbar. I welcome any suggestions or recommendations. Thank you in advance! Liz

I went to Momofuku last Tuesday for a fantastic meal with my boyfriend and man did we chow down! We've been to Momofuku before but only for the ramen. Since we thought it was too warm to have ramen, we thought we'd get the food. Here are photos of our meal, I apologize for the low picture quality, I took these with my camera phone. Kitchen Staff Baby Octopus Salad Spicy Smoked Chicken Wings with pickled chilli peppers and scallions Deep Fried Veal Sweatbreads Sweet Spicy Dipping Sauce Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Fresh Roasted Corn And...Momofuku's Famous Steamed Berkshire Pork Buns