We got an e-mail from the light fellowship informing us that Dean Farley of JE would be visiting us in Tokyo. They asked us to recommend a place for dinner so I gave it some thought hoping someone else would come up with a good idea before me... about 5 days or so before his arrival I realized I should probably come up with something bc no one else was responding to the emails (I blame homework). So I recommend Gonpachi.Gonpachi is the restaurant that part of Kill Bill was filmed in. They of course used a separate destructible set for some of the cuts. The food is amazing and I had already been there twice (a yr and a half ago). I also love Kill Bill so I can't help but love this restaurant.
I sent out the email and waited. The ensuing responses from the light fellowship eventually had me making the reservation and arranging meeting times and places. To be completely honest, it ended up being a bit of pain in this regard and of course there were emails constantly going back and forth and having to keep track of about 20 guests. However, the frequent restaurant calls to alter the reservation were probably one of the most practical and beneficial language practice for me. Not to mention, I learned a few good words. The most useful set was probably 数人の変更|すうにんのへんこう which means "a change in the # of people."
The professors, students, guests etc. who hadn't met the dean were all shocked when he walked in. He looks young and "dashing" to quote one of the sensei. Another could not resist but make constant joke's about how attractive she thought he was (though she, as well as the Dean, is already married)... : )
It was nice to have a day to speak English comfortably without any scolding or threat of reprimand. We all also got a chance to sit down with Seto and Stever sensei whom we all had missed more than we realized. It also reminded me that the Yale professors are special in their own way that I don't think other professor's can emulate. They teach in a way that if you devote yourself to the work will ensure that you enjoy the experience of learning Japanese. Its hard enough as is... That being said I still love the SANC professors; they are great at making you feel almost as if you are learning from friends rather than professors.
The dinner ended up being 19 guests including Light Alumni, Dean Farely & his wife, Stever & Seto sensei, and all the SANC students. We were seated on the 3rd floor where George W. Bush, Clinton, and the previous Japanese prime minister all dined. [As a side note; if you plan on sitting on this floor, you have to request it as if it were a separate restaurant. Even if the 1st and 2nd floor our booked they will not mention the 3rd floor unless you as]. The best part of this floor is that it is placed on the roof, has an open terrace, and a sushi bar, so its the only part of the restaurant where you can order sushi. Constantly ordering appetizer size dishes, passing around at least 20 different types of cuisine, and keeping the sake flowing, the 19 of us kept the restaurant busy. That being said, I'm sure we "killed" the bill [couldn't resist a kill bill pun].
Stever sensei kept me well informed on what I was eating/drinking. Now I can sound like a Nihonshu / sake connoisseur when I speak of "八海山”|hakkaisan, or 沖縄のあわもり|awamori. On that note, if you get the chance to try Awamori go for it! Gonpachi served a 25% (50 proof = twice that of a strong wine) and a 40% (80 proof = liquor). Me and Stever sensei both hesitantly tried the 40% and it was shockingly good. What you expect to go down hard and taste like gasoline, tasted more like a well prepared cocktail.
Yeah that's real gold foil... and its edible... and its delicious.
The dinner, the food, the experience, the company, and the conversations were all amazing. To top the night off we all headed out to Roppongi, but I'll leave that for another blog.
