Happy New Year of the Rat, everyone!!!
Celebrated the Eve of Year of the Rat at Mitsui Cuisine, in Taipei. The Mitsui Taiwan group runs a few other respected restaurants in town, as well as the impressive Aquatic Centre seafood complex. Also being a Japanese group, they do seafood right.
Excellent red from Provenance suggested by the sommelier, Chateau Les Mesclances Romane. A medium bodied vibrant choice that paired well with the seafood and the beef.
We ordered two different prix fixe menus and shared family style.
Abalone Salad. 2 x Sashimi assortments. The standout Chutoro was out of this world. Marbled like the finest beef, mouth feel and flavor that can only be compared to the choicest Kobe. Three slices each was rich enough, though we both lusted for more.
Firefly Squid. Not one of my favorites, three little squid-lies were fine for me.
Platter of Canapés type bites. Wife enjoyed the Cured Roe bites. We shared the remainder.
Hairy Crab. No mystery how this crustacean got it’s name. Messy, but the delicious Crab Butter was worth the extra effort.
Broiled fish. Very juicy and tender. The grill man knows his craft.
Grilled King Crab. The hint of char overwhelms the pure crabby sweetness, to me.
King Crab in Miso Soup. Better, but I may just be crabbed out, a month into our own Dungeness season.
A5 Wagyu, perfect medium rare.
Sweet Rice with Shitake and Chestnut.
Nigiri sampler to end the mains. Somewhat unusual sequencing.
Dessert of Wax Apple, Grapes and Cheesecake.
Parting gift of good luck Red Envelope (no crisp nt$100 notes within). 
A delicious delightful meal with attentive gracious service, pretty presentations and well prepared/sourced ingredients. Although not a fan of higher end dining, I would gladly return for a special occasion or with good friends.
Ok. Now back to our usual program of street food and local hole in the walls. 
