Take invited me to his favorite place for dinner last night, Yakatori, or barbecued chicken. Many people gather at the yakatori place we visited, groups of young men, families, dating young couples, etc. There were people of all ages hanging out, chatting, eating and drinking. There were typical booths and traditional tatami-matted, rice-screened areas where folks could sit on the floors. It was a very casual and familial tavern atmosphere. It felt down to earth.
The way I'd describe the food is open flame grilled or fried chicken with a variety of flavors depending on what you order. There is fried chicken that is crusty, deep fried skin, grilled old rooster that's been marinaded in vinegar, grilled chicken meatballs on a stick, grilled chicken (you choose the part) on a stick with a teriyaki sauce, etc. The list of offerings goes on and on in this charbroiled, smoky tavern. We also had cabbage with soy sauce, rice, and a Caesar Salad with raw egg (that's the original recipe) and it was delicious!
I had some saki to drink, which was a hoot, because Take said to me as the waitress poured the saki into my glass, "Don't say stop." As she neared the rim of the now full glass, I laughingly said stop, stop, but she didn't! She continued to pour calmly while the saki overflowed the glass and into the little square coaster it was resting in. When that container was full, Take said stop and she did! It was so funny apparently, you aren't supposed to say stop until the square one is nearly full. It was a source of some amusement. :-)
Take and I discussed many things, observations I've had, exchange program ideas, and cultural topics. It was a very good evening with a very dear friend.
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