MICHELIN guide Discovery

The MICHELIN guide | Mika Takeuchi

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Guest Explorers

We recruited 10 Guest Explorers—people who aren’t food or wine professionals, but make dining choices all the time for different types of occasions. We gave them a 2009 MICHELIN Guide, and sent them out to discover, asking them to report back after using their 2009 MICHELIN guide for two days. Every week until the end of the year, we will feature the discoveries of a different Guest Explorer— from the single gal in New York City to entrepreneurial executives in the Bay Area!

Disclaimer: Guest Explorer do not represent the opinions or views of the MICHELIN guide editorial staff or Michelin North America, Inc. All testimonials are the opinion of the author. The above testimonial is displayed without compensation to the author.

	Julia Vitullo-Martin Julia Vitullo-Martin is a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and Director of the Center for Rethinking Development, where her work focuses on urban planning issues. Prior to joining the Manhattan Institute, Vitullo-Martin held several positions working for the city of New York and has taught on the graduate level at both the New School University and Hunter College. Vitullo-Martin has been published in notable publication including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and Fortune, as well as academic journals. She has authored and edited three books, including Breaking Away: The Future of Cities (Century Foundation Press, 1996). She also created and wrote an eating guide to Lower Manhattan for New York State jurors, The Jury is Out to Lunch. Vitullo-Martin holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago. She lives on the West Side of Manhattan with her husband.
	Adrianna Giuliani Adrianna began her Techromance blog for a digital strategies class in her graduate school program at Columbia University. She never thought an assignment would turn into such a strong passion and never ever thought it would wind up getting her in trouble. In addition to sharing her stories on “how technology creates, crumbles and confuses meaning in romantic relationships” she uses material from her friends, often to their sha-grin. From blush-worthy topics like sex messaging to thinking about how “Great Texpectations” can lead to disappointment in dating today, the blog juxtaposes digital availability with emotional unavailability. By day Adrianna is a Creativity Planner in Ketchum PR’s Creative & Strategic Planning Group. In her role, Adrianna collaborates with brands to develop programs that challenge conventional thinking and capitalize on current trends and consumer insights. Additionally she writes for their bi-weekly trend report, the Culturalist™.
	Marie Saeki After years working as a fashion publicist in Paris, Marie Saeki moved to New York following her love for the city. Prior to opening her own public relations agency in 1998, working with young independent designers and established brands, she worked as an editor in a fashion magazine. In 1997 she secretly married Takamichi Saeki in New York and a year later in Tokyo. They currently live in Manhattan, on the Lower East Side.
	Takamichi Saeki When Tokyo native Takamichi Saeki gave up his job as a contemporary art dealer in New York, he was at a loss for what to do. So he took up a pair of scissors at a friend’s salon and learned to cut hair. “I’ve always been interested in form and shape,” says Saeki. After 5 years as a stylist in a Nolita hair salon, he opened Takamichi Hair in 2000 now located on Great Jones Street. As a New Yorker of 20 years and a social life lover, he enjoys discovering new places and has never lost his curiosity for the ever-changing city of New York.
	Jason Klein Jason Klein is President and co-CEO of Special Ops Media, a full-service interactive agency he co-founded in 2002. He is an expert in online marketing, strategy, media planning, creative services and publicity. His passion for the entertainment industry initially spurred Special Ops to lend its expertise to both mainstream and independent cinema – with industry clients including Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Lionsgate Entertainment, First Look Studios, and 20th Century Fox. As Special Ops continued to evolve, Jason began lending his branding expertise to the spirits industry – starting with highly successful campaigns for Reyka Vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, and Glenfiddich. Jason regularly speaks on interactive and digital marketing at international festivals and conferences. Jason was named in Variety’s Indie 50 list as one of the “top movers and shakers” in independent film. Recently, he was named one of OMMA Magazine’s Rising Stars of Digital Media. Jason graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brown University in 2000.
	Hemant Baijal Mr. Baijal is a Founding Member, Portfolio Manager and General Partner of Aravali Partners LLC, which specializes in fixed income relative value strategies. Mr. Baijal was a Founder, Member and Portfolio Manager at Havell Capital Management, LLC, from 1996 to 2006, where he was the principal investment advisor of the UBF. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Baijal was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Neuberger & Berman (“N&B”) where he managed $700 million in international and $550 million in multi-sector accounts. Prior to joining N&B, Mr. Baijal worked for Banca Di Roma, The First Boston Corporation and Merrill Lynch & Co. Mr. Baijal holds a B.A. (Honors) in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi, India and an M.B.A. in International Business and Finance from the Columbia Business School. He currently lives in Battery Park City with his wife and toddler.
	Anna Billstrom Anna Billstrom is a CRM consultant, email expert, and blogger. She blogs- at banane.com, SF Metblogs (sf.metblogs.com), a professional blog at Adventures in Email Marketing (banane.com/workblog and MarketingProfs, (marketingprofs.com), as well as online murder mystery series, the most recent: hom.i.c.id.e (banane.com/homicide). She resides in North Beach, in San Francisco, and can be found swimming in Aquatic Park, sipping cortados at Caffe Sapore, or shopping with her sisters on Grant St.
	Kelly Wanser Kelly Wanser is the Chairman and CEO of eCert Inc., established to protect financial, government and other critical email from fraud. Kelly also serves on the Board of ColdSpark, an email software company she founded in 1991, and is the author of several patents in electronic messaging. She is avid traveler, writer and advocate for research on climate management. Kelly has lived in London, Belize City, Rio de Janeiro, Boston, Dallas and Boulder, and currently resides in San Francisco
	Mika Takeuchi Born in Tokyo, by age three Mika Takeuchi was already dining at the world’s finest sushi bars in her favorite designer outfits. Now based in California, she has forged a career out of her passion for food and dining and her love of style and fashion. Mika is founder and editor in chief of FoodFashionista.com (www.foodfashionista.com), a food blog dedicated to sharing all things fabulous and food related. She is also the owner and creator of online boutique, Fashionbliss.com (www.fashionbliss.com). In her Hollywood Hills kitchen you will find Sub-Zero and Viking and in her closet you will find Manolos and Choos. Mika is the ambassador/spokesperson for Luce della Vite wines from Tuscany-a collaboration of the Frescobaldi and Mondavi families. In addition to being a fashion buyer and personal style shopper for high profile clients in the U.S, Asia, and Europe, Mika has worked in restaurants with top chefs, and has dined in many of the world’s top restaurants. Mika and her companies have been recognized and featured in a number of publications such as, The Washington Post, San Francisco Magazine, AOL Stylelist, Daily Candy, Lucky, Florida Today, 7x7 and many more.
	Andrew Kaplan Andrew Kaplan works for a national west coast-based real estate developer. Currently working on a mixed-use project in the old downtown section of Las Vegas, Andrew travel regularly to the area. A foodie and former travel writer, with a penchant for dives serving immigrant comfort food, Andrew enjoys exploring the Las Vegas food scene – on and off “the strip”. Andrew is a fan of Michael Pollan’s book The Omnivore’s Dilemma but wonders if it’s humanly possible to be a locavore in the state of Nevada. Andrew lives in Los Angeles with his wife who is a film director.
	ROBERT VERDI Robert Verdi. He’s a self-made machine. He’s got his hands in everything. He’s a whirlwind of opinion and pop culture. He’s a Jersey boy-cum jewelry designer-cum television host-cum lifestyle expert-cum rising superstar. Design denizens adore his keen eye for color, homemakers hail his quick fixes for fixer-uppers, and fashion experts cling to the edge of their front row seat during fashion shows anticipating his kiss of couture death or delight. Robert Verdi’s name is synonymous with style. Currently, Robert can be seen as a judge on TVLand’s original series, She’s Got The Look, but his infamous television career started in 2000 when Robert changed the way America sees fashion when he co-created and co-hosted the groundbreaking show Full Frontal Fashion on Metro TV. It was the first show to bring non-stop coverage of Fashion Week into America’s living rooms. In 2002, Robert began co-hosting Surprise by Design, which would become the Discovery Channel’s highest rated daytime show. Then Robert joined E! Entertainment Television as their voice of fashion and was charged with covering the red carpet. He also began hosting Fashion Police, a weekly insider’s look at the world of fashion and style. Robert is one of the most highly recognizable faces in the world of fashion today and has been invited to guest star as himself on UPN’s Eve, ABC’s Hope & Faith, and had a cameo in the motion picture The Devil Wears Prada, where Verdi played himself opposite Meryl Streep. Verdi has also appeared as the in-the-know interior design and fashion expert on network heavy hitters such as The View, Regis & Kelly, The Today Show as well as cable’s CNN Headline News and VH1’s The Fabulous Life. Robert’s talents aren’t limited to television or the big screen, he’s also written columns for the magazines InsideTV and The Daily. Verdi has also used his design virtuosity to help update the digs and the duds of A-listers like Eva Longoria, Hugh Jackman, Terrence Howard, Sandra Bernhard and Mariska Hargitay as well as Bobby Flay and Jolie Fisher.

The MICHELIN guide | Mika Takeuchi

I am not a creature of habit. My tastes tend to vary all across the map. At lunch you will find me in a cotton tank, skinny jeans and suede boots in a hole-in-the-wall neighborhood ethnic restaurant. Later at dinner, I’ll be in an off the shoulder Halston gown with four inch stilettos at an eight-course, wine paired meal. So along with my lip gloss, sunglasses, and blackberry, you’ll often see me with my chic, red MICHELIN guide in hand as a reference for my next dining discovery whether it is here in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, or Paris.

Hide Sushi
Often when you think of eating very fresh sushi, you think of paying fairly high prices, so when I spotted Hide Sushi in the MICHELIN guide’s, “Where to eat for less than $25”, I thought, hmmm…I have to check this place out.

Hide Sushi is right in the center of a mini “Japantown” surrounded by Japanese grocery stores, ramen noodle shops, bookstores, and other Japanese businesses. Born in Japan, I felt like Hide Sushi and its neighborhood were a home away from home – its Japanese staff, and no frills décor, Hide Sushi was clean, simple and straight to the point.

Hide Sushi offers a well edited selection of nigiri sushi, rolls, and other non-sushi items including teriyaki, tempura, sunomonos, salads, and kai yaki (dynamite). One thing you won’t find at Hide are rolls covered in a mask of heavy dripping sauces or American-inspired rolls like the Boston or Philly roll. The fish is fresh, and Hide’s sushi chef’s goal is for you to experience the true delicious flavor of the fish. The sake (salmon) was perfectly sliced, and melted in my mouth. I enjoyed it so much I ordered two more pieces. I also loved the hamachi (yellowtail) and scallop special, which included a special sauce of smelt egg and mayonnaise.

In addition to dinner, Hide is a great spot for lunch. Hide offers a fantastic lunch combo for $8.50 which includes rice, tsukemono, shrimp and vegetable tempura, and your choice of either beef or chicken teriyaki. It does get crowded, and they don’t take reservations, so come on the earlier side. Hide only takes cash so make sure to stop at the ATM before heading over.

M Café de Chaya
Being a woman on the go, and a proponent of fresh and healthy cuisine, I knew that M Café de Chaya and I were going to become fast friends. It also didn’t hurt that in vast and spacious Los Angeles where everything is a bit of a drive, M Café de Chaya – according to the MICHELIN guide – sat in my neighborhood. How convenient.

When I first heard macrobiotic, I think you’ll have to sacrifice taste and variety, but when I read in the MICHELIN guide that M Café de Chaya serves not only salads and wraps, but a selection of both hot and cold sandwiches, and rice bowls, it definitely piqued my interest. How pleasantly surprised I was when I arrived and found an abundant variety of healthy goodies including M Café de Chaya’s version of sushi, soups, burgers, fresh squeezed juices, and a vast selection of dessert.

At Café M de Chaya, you order at the counter, and with so many choices, I was honestly at first a bit overwhelmed. I quickly pulled it together and decided on a very interesting combo of a Korean style Bi-Bim Bop for an entrée, a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, and fresh squeezed lemonade to quench my thirst. The Bi-Bim Bop included a base of brown rice, an assortment of veggies, grilled tofu, and the chili pepper paste to mix it all together. Familiar with the traditional preparation of the dish, I must say, the macrobiotic version was a satisfying hit. The pumpkin cheesecake’s texture was less a cheesecake and more of a pumpkin pie. It was dense, filling and quite delicious. I didn’t feel as if I was missing out on taste and satisfaction by eating something that was prepared with all natural ingredients and no egg, dairy or sugar.

Given my busy schedule, it’s deliciously satisfying to have discovered a neighborhood spot where even on my most hectic days – I can grab a healthy meal made with top quality ingredients.

LaBotte

When it comes to dining, I love creatures of the sea. So when I read “stuffed calamari with roasted red pepper sauce, and arugula”, while browsing through the MICHELIN guide, within five minutes I was on OpenTable.com making an 8:30 p.m. reservation at one-star MICHELIN restaurant, La Botte in Santa Monica.

While driving to La Botte from my home in West Hollywood, I do admit I had the slight fear of the stuffed calamari not being on the menu, or having been 86’d since it was a later reservation. To my food-obsessed relief, I arrived and the stuffed calamari was on the menu, available, and ready for me to order.

Being a huge fan of burrata cheese, I was excited, yet curious to see that La Botte served a “risotto mantecato, with burrata, and Santa Barbara spot prawns” as an entrée. I’ve eaten many risottos before both in the U.S. and in Italy, but I’ve had yet to try one prepared with buratta. When the risotto arrived, it was absolutely divine.

Since there were no champagnes by the glass, I ordered a glass of the Jeio Prosecco Bisol. My friend Carrie was craving a nice red wine for the evening, so our server Cristian brought three different reds with three glasses to the table for her to sample and choose her favorite. This was a notable courtesy, and from there on out, it was those well thought out details that made our dinner at La Botte memorable and truly welcoming. From the hostess to chef Luigi, the service was friendly, precise, and professional. The staff definitely makes you feel like their special guest in this dimly lit Italian hideaway. La Botte’s dining space resembles a wine cellar and the vibe is private, intimate and romantic.

La Botte is located right on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard at Sixth Street. I’ve driven by it many times, but never noticed it before. This is definitely a hidden gem that I discovered from my MICHELIN guide and I will be sure to make a trip back soon.

Mika Takeuchi

Born in Tokyo, by age three Mika Takeuchi was already dining at the world’s finest sushi bars in her favorite designer outfits. Now based in California, she has forged a career out of her passion for food and dining and her love of style and fashion.

Mika is founder and editor in chief of FoodFashionista.com (www.foodfashionista.com), a food blog dedicated to sharing all things fabulous and food related. She is also the owner and creator of online boutique, Fashionbliss.com (www.fashionbliss.com). In her Hollywood Hills kitchen you will find Sub-Zero and Viking and in her closet you will find Manolos and Choos.

Mika is the ambassador/spokesperson for Luce della Vite wines from Tuscany-a collaboration of the Frescobaldi and Mondavi families. In addition to being a fashion buyer and personal style shopper for high profile clients in the U.S, Asia, and Europe, Mika has worked in restaurants with top chefs, and has dined in many of the world’s top restaurants. Mika and her companies have been recognized and featured in a number of publications such as, The Washington Post, San Francisco Magazine, AOL Stylelist, Daily Candy, Lucky, Florida Today, 7x7 and many more.

Purchase the MICHELIN guide


The premiere edition of the MICHELIN Guide New York City debuted in late 2005. Buy the 2009 edition from: Amazon Barnes & Noble Borders	The MICHELIN Guide San Francisco & Bay Area covers hotels and restaurants in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Berkeley, as well as the Wine Country. Buy the 2009 edition from: Amazon Barnes & Noble Borders	The MICHELIN Guide Los Angeles covers hotels and restaurants in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Westwood, Downtown, Santa Monica, Ventura Boulevard and Pasadena. Buy the 2009 edition from: Amazon Barnes & Noble Borders	The MICHELIN Guide Las Vegas includes Las Vegas Boulevard, downtown and areas east and west of the Strip. Buy the 2009 edition from: Amazon Barnes & Noble Borders
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