Kyoto Confections to Try

To say that the Japanese adore their sweets is a huge understatement, and Kyoto seems to be the champion of crafting anything with sugar. You can close your eyes and bump into a wagashi boutique, bakery, tea room, candy shop or French patisserie along any major road within this gorgeous ancient city. 

Credit: Kisshokaryo

The following brands are just a tiny sampling of what Kyoto has to offer:

A sister brand of the popular Sizuya bakery chain, Sizuya Pan only sells anpan, a small sweet bun with bean paste filling. Wrapped in hip and modern packaging, there are several unique flavors to swoon over. Oddly enough, the Cinnamon is my favorite as it contains a bite-sized dollop of mochi inside, which is then surrounded by a delicate layer of cinnamon-scented azuki paste. The thin outer bun layer is also lightly flavored, delivering a gorgeous mix of complementary textures, scent and flavor. Goma black sesame is another hit. There are two small outlets inside Kyoto Station and each anpan goes for about $1.80. Also, the regular Sizuya bakeries have a ton of amazing pastries at lower price points, but one can only eat so much! sizuya.co.jp

Marukyu Koyamaen has been producing award-winning matcha from the Uji region for over 300 years. The comprehensive tea selection is absolutely amazing (great for souvenirs), but don't miss the serene tearoom and garden inside the modest Nishinotoin retail shop. Try the iced matcha tea and matcha sponge cake roll set — you won't regret it. marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp

Honke Owariya, a 550-year-old soba noodle house, had its humble roots as a soba confectioner. You can get their crunchy soba wafers in a few flavors (matcha and black sesame are our favorites) as well as their rustic soba cakes with azuki paste. honke-owariya.co.jp

Credit: Honke Owariya

Located in the heart of the famed Gion district, Grand Marble resembles an exclusive jewelry store. Their speciality is a rich danish bread, which sorta tastes like a cross between a croissant and brioche bread. They offer over a dozen flavors at any given time and there are a few seasonal options. We tried the Love Combo (strawberry swirl and matcha). The packaging is beyond exquisite, reminding you of a certain French luxury brand. grandmarble.com

Credit: Grand Marble

Kisshokaryo offers housemade matcha milk jams, financiers, castella cakes, and much more. Take advantage of the upstairs tea room and order the Shiratama mochi. It's soooo good and refreshing on a hot day! The shop is tucked along a side street off the busy Higashi Oji Dori (walking distance from Yasaka Shrine) and the ladies working there are absolutely adorable. kisshokaryo.jp

Kisshokaryo.jp

Food Gifts to Get in Japan

Omiyage, or Japanese food gift-giving, is something that takes considerable thought and energy. I already knew it's a mega-serious business but I didn't realize just how insane it could be. You could be spending $75 USD on the most perfect-looking cantaloupe!

It literally makes you dizzy when you try to decide what to buy for your friends and family. I could spend hours admiring the beautiful packaging and elaborate presentation. Be sure to check the expiration dates as some confections last for only 6-10 days. Rice crackers will last about 6 weeks to 2 months.

Gouymet Japanese crackers from Akebono and Bankaku.

Given the pedigree of each company listed below, the following gift suggestions are relatively inexpensive and are small and light enough to pack into your luggage or carry-on:

Senbei (Rice Crackers): I won't even get into the hundreds, if not thousands, of varieties available in Japan. You can go with mass-retailer brands or splurge on the artisanal brands. I will say the ingredient list is much shorter and higher quality than the stuff you usually get at the Asian markets within the U.S. 

Credit: Akebono

Ginza-based Akebono offers a vast array of fresh mochi (hello, ichigo daifuku!) and baked confections, but I really adore their senbei selection. You get to choose from the quintessential baked crackers glazed in soy sauce to fried senbei flavored with shrimp or sea urchin. Yes, sea urchin. The limited edition seasonal flavors are definitely worth a taste. Available at most major department stores (depachika) and Narita Terminal 1. www.ginza-akebono.co.jp

Akebono summer edition rice crackers. If you're passing through Tokyo Station be sure to drop by Fujimido. Located inside Gransta Mall, they offer several basic flavors as well as a lovely shichimi togarashi (seven spice) option. Their packaging is very elegant and modern. www.fujimidou.com

Limited edition Fujimido crackers. (Credit: Fujimido)

Matsuzaki, also from Ginza, has been making a unique kawara senbei for over 200 years. Made with wheat, sugar and eggs, these simple decorated tile-shaped cookies are quite addictive and aren't too sweet. They're sold individually and in packages of five (around $1 each), as well as in assorted boxed gift sets. They even have Hello Kitty tile cookies! matsuzaki-senbei.com

Matsuzaki Tile Senbei. (Credit: Matsuzaki)

Shrimp Crackers: Bankaku has been making premium baked shrimp crackers for 125 years. They're a fun indulgence for all shellfish lovers and they even offer a scallop flavor. And, they're not as caloric as potato chips, making it a wise snack option. Available at most department stores (Takashimaya, Isetan, Tokyu Toyoko) and Narita Terminal 1. www.bankaku.co.jp

Credit: Bankaku

Wagashi: Toraya, a venerable wagashi house that has served the imperial family, offers traditional Japanese confections that are packaged to impress anyone. I've never seen anyone wrap omiyage boxes with such precision and speed as the salesladies inside the Isetan Shinjuku outlet. We love the yokan (azuki bean jelly) and Zangetsu, a half moon-shaped ginger pancake filled with azuki paste. Also, their tea rooms serve an excellent iced matcha. www.toraya-group.co.jp

Credit: Toraya GroupDo you have a favorite food gift that you love from Japan? Do share!

Stones Throw

On a recent visit to San Francisco, I dined at Stones Throw, the newest restaurant in the Russian Hill neighborhood. Already a major hit with the locals, I was looking forward to trying out their California-American driven menu.

Puffed Potato & Egg (Credit: Stones Throw).

Located in the former Luella space, the management had a fairly tough act to follow. However, with Chef Jason Halverson at the helm and a team of stellar talent from Michael Mina and SPQR, the entire evening was filled with imaginative dishes and gracious professionalism. 

The playful Puffed Potato & Egg and refreshing Crispy Tomato Cream Wafers were a fun way to start the meal. The Squid Ink Conchiglie was easily one of the best pasta dishes I've had here, and that's a major accomplishment in a city filled with amazing pasta. The spicy capers added a crucial punchiness, which fired up the palate to ecstatic heights. 

Squid Ink Conchiglie (Credit: Stones Throw).

The Octopus Okonomiyaki was just mind-blowing. Laced with bacon dashi and spicy turnips, the tender octopus was grilled to smoky perfection. The accompanying seafood pancake came with three different condiments, which only added more allure to the unique presentation.

Octopus Okonomiyaki (Stones Throw).

As for entrees, the Crispy 38 North Duck Breast & Crispy Taquito was excellent. For vegetarians, the Toad in the Hole Lasagna with mushroom duxelles, asparagus, green garlic and confit egg yolk was a sublime, richly layered option.

Toad in the Hole (Credit: Stones Throw).

The lovely folks at Stones Throw kindly shared some extra treats, including the highly creative Not Your Grandma's Apple Pie — a deconstructed version of the classic dessert. Spiced maple panna cotta melded perfectly with apple granita, diced apple and cigar wafer. The textures were modern and different, yet the flavors remained comfortingly familiar. 

Not Your Grandma's Apple Pie (Credit: Stones Throw).

Not surprisingly, the Peanut Butter & Jelly Donuts were a big hit. Fluffy pillows of fried dough nestled among tiny mounds of peanut butter cream and grape jelly. We were already full, but it was difficult to resist this sweet temptation. In the end, we succumbed and gave in wholeheartedly. 

Peanut Butter & Jelly Donuts (feteafete.com).To make a reservation, go to stonesthrowsf.com. 

Ciao Positano

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Casaebottega, a new cafe and home decor boutique in Positano, Italy. Today I'm sharing my other favorite places to eat and shop.

A room with a gorgeous view. (Credit Tami Yu/feteafete.com)

Food: Away from the main hub, right on Fornillo beach, Hotel Pupetto has a large outdoor ristorante that serves an awesome Mediterranean pizza. If you love seafood, get the scialatielli pasta dish, along with the salt and pepper shrimp. The lemon risotto was also a favorite. Try the airy lemon baba cake for dessert — it was unexpectedly marvelous. The servers were kind and the prices were lower than what you'd find on the main beach area. The beach view was super calm and serene. I imagine it's a zoo if you go at the height of summer.

To get away from the crowds, go to Fanny and Tanina's intimate Casaebottega for lunch or breakfast. For dinner, head on over to Next2 for lighter Italian fare (run by Carmela, Tanina's daughter). Reserve a table with Marco, our favorite server. He'll guide you through his menu favorites and will accommodate any needs. We liked them so much that we went back two nights in a row.

Amalfi lemon trees at Pupetto. (Credit Tami Yu/feteafete.com)

Walking tour: If you're staying there for more than two days, consider a 3-hour walking tour with Christine Ornelas of Discover Positano. An Australian living in Positano, she has lots of great insider stories of the town's history. If you're into Italian wine, her knowledgeable husband Vincenzo offers a separate wine tasting.

Shopping: There are lots of cute homeware at Casaebottega. If you want quality linen clothing, check out Pepito's, run by the Esposito family since the 1960s. Everything is designed and made in Positano. If you take Christine's walking tour, you'll get a discount with them. 

Casaebottega in Positano

Last month, when I visited the world famous Amalfi Coast, we stayed in Positano for a few nights. After two days of eating pizza, pasta and lots of cheese, we were only too happy to stumble across the darling Casaebottega, a charming little cafe and home decor boutique on the busy Via Pasitea. You can get organic fruit smoothies, a platter of freshly baked desserts or a healthy salad to-go. Open for only a few months, it's quickly becoming the place for tourists. 

Credit: Tami Yu 2013

Using mostly local and organic produce, each menu item is made to order. They don't have much storage or refrigeration so they work with what they can procure each day. I'm also impressed that they have updated traditional Italian dessert recipes to make it lighter and less sweet. 

After you nosh on your delicious snack or meal, you can browse their selection of homeware. Many of the ceramic dishes are produced locally. I was so tempted to get some serving plates, like this one below. 

Mini cannellonis with fresh ricotta and pistachio.

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Springtime Memories of Paris

I've been so very fortunate to visit Paris on several occasions, but it's the little things that make me cherish this gorgeous city more and more each time. 

Credit: feteafete.com/Tami Yu

Tiny, delicate, bell-shaped muguet de bois blossoms are one of the things I adore during May. Thin and graceful, its sweet fragrance is intoxicating. Buying a small bouquet on a residential street corner and giving them to a dear friend is something I look forward to doing each time I visit France. If I have more time, I'd also make a trip to Laduree for their limited edition muguet macarons. 

Everyone knows the elegant Place des Vosges, but it's the quieter side streets nearby that make me happy. 

And away we go! Allons-y!

On the way to meet a friend at Pont Marie for dinner, I saw this simple yet lovely message. 

If you've been to Paris, what are your favorite memories? Is it braving the crowds at the Louvre, sitting at a quaint cafe, or getting lost in the tiny side streets of a quieter arrondissement? 

All images copyright 2013 Tami Yu & feteafete.com.

AMI by Alexandre Mattiussi

I don't normally gush about men's fashion, but during our recent trip to Paris, I discovered Alexandre Mattiussi's AMI boutique in the upper Marais area. The store opened last December and has become all the rage amongst the fashion world. If only they carried women's wear! 

Credit: Yann Deret

I fell in love with everything - each piece was so wearable, understated, and effortlessly chic. The linen sports jackets and linen slub pullovers were my absolute favorites. Prices were very reasonable, and if you know of Matiussi's background at Givenchy and Dior, you'll soon recognize the exceptional fit in his casual wear collection. The friendly staff will also help you pick the best styles to fit your body frame.

AMI sports linen jacket, at Barneys New York.

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Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial at Four Seasons Seattle

A beauty essential for Hollywood celebrities, the Pure Oxygen Facial is quickly becoming a popular treatment at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. Developed by Intraceuticals, it's the latest addition to their skincare repertoire and it's the only spa in town to get it. 

I was recently invited to experience the signature treatment first hand. It started off with a thorough cleansing, followed by a gentle exfoliation and expert pore extractions. The fun part began when hyperbaric oxygen, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, peptides and vitamins were applied to the skin, inch by inch, via a facial wand.

The cooling sensation of the oxygen mists were extremely calming and the results were instantaneous. Christine, my esthetician, showed my completed right side of the face so I could compare it with the left. My cheek plumped up with much-needed hydration. I looked more awake and the fine lines around the forehead and undereye area were vastly diminished. Thanks to the hyaluronic acid stimulating the muscle tissue, my facial tone was noticeably lifted, like a mini face lift. I've never seen my skin so radiant and dewy before and I could see why this is such a popular treatment with beauty mavens. 

Depending on your skincare regimen, the results will last 4-7 days. A series of 6 facials ($1,500) is offered if you're serious about long-term maintenance. You'll also receive a complimentary home-care kit ($300+ value) if you purchase the package. To enhance the results between treatments you should use Intraceuticals' Rejuvenate Daily Serum, Rejuvenate Hydration Gel and Rejuvenate Moisture-Binding Lotion. They also launched the new Intraceuticals+ Boosters, a customizable serum collection that attacks fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. 

To book the Pure Oxygen Facial ($250), go to www.fourseasons.com.

The Intraceuticals line is available at The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle and online at www.intraceuticals.com.

For editorial consideration, review samples and a media visit were provided by the brand's PR representative.

Mindful Cuisine at Miraval Resort

For a luxury spa resort that practices balance and wellness in everything it offers, Miraval spares no expense to keep your belly filled with healthy, delicious food. You can order room service 24/7 and their juice bar is loaded with coffee and low-fat baked goods (essential for 6am hikes). Feeling naughty? You can opt for a burger while sunbathing by the pool - and don't forget to grab an alcoholic drink while you're at it. In other words, you can indulge in anything your heart desires without the guilt.

Miraval's Caramelized Three-Onion Polenta "Lasagne."

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A Visit to Miraval Resort

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to experience Miraval, a global destination spa resort in Tucson, Arizona. To celebrate their new partnership Clarins invited a group of lifestyle and beauty bloggers to check out the new Life in Balance Spa with Clarins. Their service menu was also revamped to feature plant-based skincare from the venerable French beauty company.

Photo Credit: Miraval 2012

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