[Restaurant] Maneki

Maneki
304 6th Avenue South
Seattle WA

"Once you visit the place, you will come back for the second time, and third.. and forth.. and so on"

Ah... Maneki, I regret that I found this place pretty late compare to my other friends. The first time I went there like 2008 (which I already lived around Seattle since 2001... -_-)

Now on to the restaurant, the restaurant is only open for dinner (5:30-10:30 PM) and I really suggest that you MUST make a reservation way ahead of time if you want to dine there. Why? cause the place will usually fully booked till 9:30 PM, even on weekdays *wow*.

The restaurant it self is not look that big from the outside and its located not on the heart of the International District like other well known restaurants (Jade Garden, Kaukau, Honey Court, Purple Dot, Hing Loon, Ocean City, Hongkong Bistro).... anyway, not saying that the location is hard to find, but it just a little bit up on the hillside, where there's not too many restaurant around Maneki.

On the the menu, for a Japanese cuisine, the price looks very reasonable. Appetizer around $3-$7. Main menu around $7-14.5 (let say its still under $20 if you don't want to get too detail). After looking on the menu, I decided I want to have some feast tonight, so I ordered a little more that what I usually order. The list that I ordered were:
- Sakana Dinner $14.5 (with Makarel on salt *Recommended*)
- Takoyaki (7 pcs) around $4 or less (I forgot the exact price, cause I can't find it in the menu - I might missed it)
- Yakitori Chicken with Teriyaki sauce $4.5

The Taste
Lets start with the Takoyaki and Yakitori. The Takoyaki is delicious, its soft and the filling inside was generous, plus for the price, 7 Takoyaki is alot! (or at least the same price as the rail-sushi one) *but remember, this is a restaurant*
The Yakitori on the other hand, I don't think I will order it again. I don't say it is bad, but its just not stand out, the meat was pretty tender however the teriyaki sauce.. I think I should stick with salt. (plus probably I prefer Takoyaki), so this might be a personal preference.
Sakana Dinner
This one is super worthed, why? First its a dinner set with miso soup, slice of sashimi (total 6 slices if memory served me right), tempura and also fruit (watermelon) all for $15. The sashimi was really fresh even though I went there like 9 30 PM, tuna sashimi is my favorite. Move to the main entree (Makarel with salt). Good things I researched a bit about Japanese cuisine, so I know that I will love salt better than teriyaki in this case, so even though the food looks simple, but the taste was super delicious, I guarantee you will love it. (I haven't tried the salmon version yet, but my friend tried salmon with teriyaki and he not recommended.) The tempura, its fresh and crunchy, nothing special but its good though. and after my stomach full, there's a slice of watermelon that's conclude my dinner.
Maneki is such a nice place to go for a late dinner , and it is one of my favorite Japanese Restaurant around Seattle.

So overall Rating

Food Taste : A (perfect, if you know what you ordering)
Food Price : A (pretty cheap, and worth it)
Restaurant Atmosphere : A- (nice, simple and looks traditional, I love it)

Conclusion : if you like Japanese food, then I recommend you to try and decide it your self.

Picture will be post later, I need to go :D

10 Stuffed Animal Dolls from Crane Machine XD

So last weekend (I believed it was Sunday night/early Monday morning) I went to Denny's after a long session of gaming and couple dvd movies with my gf and close friends. We were pretty hungry and also sleepy (it was like 2 AM after all).
So we decided to stop by at Denny's Lynnwood since its open 24/7
Its not the food that I'm going to blog here, but its about the crane machine *you know, the doll crane*. I'm pretty sure it was my first time played it in US (and I had been here for like 7+ years now haha)

So, while waiting for the food, I saw a crane machine full of stuffed dolls, usually I don't care at all, but at that time I had a urge feeling to play it - It most likely because a day before I played Yakuza 2 on PS2 and collecting stuffed animals :D (for the mini games haha). So anyway, I'm just heading to the crane machine, see is there any stuffed dolls that I like to get. Then I was just like.. oh well, I should give it a try to a random doll, just one try, don't care that I got it or not.
So I went back to my car to get 4 quarters (it was $1 machine), then I tried my luck on my one and only try (or that's what I though at first).

Viola! I picked up a blue teddy bear :D. Yeah sure it's not the best stuffed bear, but hey! I picked up on my first try! woohoo!

Anyway,before I went back to my booth and have my meal, I looked at the crane machine again, I saw a red lobster that looked at me. It was like "please pick me" kinda feeling :D
After I'm done with my food, I went to the toilet, and checked my wallet. There were 1 $5 bills left... hm... so I decided to just use it on the crane machine, just to think that after I get the lobster, I'm done with the game.

2 first try was a failure, and third try was a charm!, I picked the lobster with another doll that I don't remembered what . At that point it makes me addicted to pick more and more XD, plus somehow I found a glitch in the machine (like I'm allowed to play more than 5 times, even though I lost my count how many extra tries I've got, cause I don't really care).

And with that $5, I picked another 9 stuffed dolls! muahahaha, one of my tries actually picked up 3 dolls, I was like (damn, am I good or I'm freaking lucky!) :D

So here are all of the dolls that I collected :D and probably it will become my new hobby :P (probably..)























PS: Woohoo! my first post after more than 1/2 years!. And from now on, I probably blog more about other stuffs other than Animes, cause I barely have time to watch it right now (even tho I got tons of it). Things that I probably going to blog is about my self, foods, music, or maybe Manga :D

See you on the next post :)

[Anime Extra] Clannad : Kyou Chapter

Clannad Another World : Kyou Chapter

It's basically a parallel world where Nagisa not exist. The story only revolved between Tomoyo, Kyou and Ryou. Apparently Ryou had a crush on Tomoyo since beginning, but unfortunately so do Kyou. An act of sisterhood makes Kyou become the one who help her younger sister to pursuit her love one even though it hurts.

This Another world story pretty nice but its pretty much predictable, because even you haven't watch the episode yet, you already know the ending. But nevertheless it was really enjoyable. As usuall, the animation was great and also the illustration.

It was a good stand alone episode in my opinion.

[Anime Review] Kenichi : The Mightiest Diciple

Kenichi

" Probably one of the best martial arts that I ever watched"-bezoe

Shirahama Kenichi is an average student who has earned the nickname "Weak Legs" from always getting bullied. One day he meets a cute girl named Furinji Miu who helps him build the courage to begin training at a mysterious dojo where she lives. Here Kenichi faces intense training from masters of many different martial arts styles as he attempts to become stronger.

I know this anime like about a year ago when one of my friend introduced me to it. But i realized it was too long to watch it in 1 go (well.. I finished the whole 50 eps within 2 days..). Finally I could find a time that I be able to finish it.

The story line was something that mostly we see from manga ( I haven't read the manga yet, but the anime its feel really comical). At first the fight feels a bit boring because probably there was no point in it, then it gets more interesting when the Eight Fist leaders participate in it. Beside the main story, I wish they show more on Kenichi training side, because most of it feels like just a wrap up.

Character in this anime, I like it, the whole Ryouzanpaku Master especially Appacai Hoppacai :D . Kenichi character feels like a character that we can relate it to for a daily life. I like Niiji character a lot, even he is an irritating creature but! he is an interesting Kenichi's friend as well. The other character that I wish they show her background was Shigure Kosaka, wow I like her a lot.

Animation wise was very good consider they illustrate the fighting scene pretty well without a lot of deformation. The whole drawing feel very consistent.

Illustration quality it feels like 80's anime in my opinion, but I didnt say I don't like it. The character and hair style it seems like something you might see in dragonball or something like it. But atleast it fits the purpose, if its draw like a shonen/shoujou style, I don't think it will be as this powerful.

OP and ED. I like the OP even it won't be my favorite list, and I also like the last ED, pretty calmy.

Bottom line : If you like martial arts, then this one is THE one.

Overall Rating : A

Favorite Characters
#1. Shigure Kosaka (Sexy ninja that I'm sure I will be save every night I go to sleep... lol)

















#2. Renka Ma ( Wish she got more role..)



















#3. Nanjo Kisara ( Tough girl will indeed enter in my list)

[Anime Review] Zero No Tsukaima Princess No Rondo

Zero No Tsukaima Princess No Rondo
"A spectacular anime with unspectacular ending"-bezoe

Following Saito's heroic actions in the War with Albion in season two, Saito & Louise return to Tristain, only to have the runes which bind Saito & Louise disappear. Saito & Louise struggle with a relationship no longer defined as Master & Familiar, as they search for an Elf who has the power to restore the dead to life, and may hold the key to understanding Saito's loss of the Gandalfr's power.

This is a big disappointment for me, I mean, the anime actually have a pretty decent storyline and everything, but in the end.. its just freaking plain. I felt like some of the earlier episode they story is getting no where, and they cramped everything near the end.

Characters, I love the new additional Half-Elf Character to the list, she is superb, and also the Transformation of the Sylphid into a girl bring a new refreshment.

Animation part as usual nothing spectacular, its just like the last two season same as the OP and the ED.

Bottom line : I pretty much say the story line was pretty weak and a bit rush in the end. Still no big bos??

Overall Rating : A--

Favorite Characters
#1. Tabitha Orleans


















#2. Tiffania Westwood (Oppai....)























#3. Kirche Zerbst




















#4. Siesta

[Anime Review]Zero No Tsukaima Futatsuki No Kishi

zero no tsukaima futatsuki no kishi

"Better than the 1st season, more drama, more action and more..boobs"-bezoe

This sequel is a continuation of the previous season, not long after the war. Louise and Saito seemingly getting along now since she knows that he had given up his only chance to return to Tokyo for her. The story continues as Louise begins to use Void Magic from a mysterious secret book she had recieved from her majesty Henrietta, while a new villain has appeared in town causing trouble.

This will be a pretty short review since im goin to watch 3rd season after this

Story line was surprisingly better than the 1st one, more drama, more background story and we lost some important character in this anime.

Characters, new additional characters such as Louise Sisters and mother was pretty refreshing, plus that Julio guy. I like how they bring back Madamoiselle ( I like that guy.... er... girl... er.. guy?) At start of the season I almost fall in love with Princess but unfortunately her stubbornness really ticks me off. As usual, Tabitha still my favorite even her role's is not that big this season

OP and ED is better than 1st one but still won't be my favorite.

Favorite characters : Still the same as Season 1

Overall Rating : A-

[Anime Review] Zero No Tsukaima

Zero No Tsukaima

"Fun anime, good theme (its been a while since the last magical theme I watched)"-bezoe

Meet Louise, a budding magician. The students at the Tristein Academy call her "Zero Louise", due to her current record of zero successes with magic. In fact, her magic tends to go spectacularly wrong. Now, as an important test of her aptitude for magic, she must summon a familiar to be her servant. At this critical moment, she summons up all her magic and wishes for a familiar that is "devoted, beautiful and powerful", and gets... Hiraga Saito, an ordinary Japanese boy. It's difficult to say who is more surprised and dismayed, but the rules don't allow for second attempts. Louise is stuck with her strange familiar, and he with her.

Zero No Tsukaima, its a fun magical comedy themed anime. The story line it self actually pretty simple but its pretty enjoyable. Unfortunately the ending I feel it felt short, I hope the second season will be better in the story line (will watch second seasons after reviewing this)

Characters, Tabitha Orleans is my favorite character, the coolnest in this girl is beyond imagination (it reminds me of Yuki Nagato). Guiche Gramont I think also a pretty interesting guy, a 24/7 playboy. As for the main character (Louise) as usual... a irritated-loli girl (same like Toradora)

Animation wise is not awesome, I noticed some of the part they just draw it like they don't care about the quality (one thing that I really noticed is at the last episode where Saito riding a horse, the horse just look terrible)

Graphically, this anime was ok, its not the greatest and also its not the worst. a small things that I still wondering is probably about the water goddess... is it only me or its look like Kos-Mos from Xenosaga?

OP and ED both are so so, actually I prefer some of the bgm during the anime.

Bottomline : I enjoy the anime, its not a boring anime but I still can't find the awesomeness of Zero No Tsukaima yet.

Overall Rating : A--

Favorite Characters
#1. Tabitha Orleans (I found it 100% Yuki Nagato look-a-like)






















#2. Siesta (If I have a cosplay maid like this............)

#3. Kirche Zerbst (hot!)

#4. Louise Françoise de la Baume le Blanc de la Vallière (well, she's the main character after all.. so she needs to be on the list.... right?)