Monday, April 30th Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Fried Shishito with bonito Flake
• Ginger Braised Squid
• Butter sauteed Japanese Mushrooms (Shiitake, Eringi, Enoki)

Today's Miso Soup:
• Wakame & Kikurage

What a fabulous day!

Saturday, April 28th Special

Today's obanzai:
• Shime Saba
• Rice Croquett with Salmon
• Hoku Hoku Satsuma imo (Japanese Sweet Potato)
• Home-made Satsuma-age (Fish cake with vegetables)
• Lettuce Daikon Jako Salad

Today's Miso Soup:
• Wakame & Enoki

Friday, April 27th Special

Today's obanzai:
• Shime Saba
• Rice Croquett with Salmon
• Saba Miso-ni
• Hiryozu (Deep fried Tofu ball with vegetables)
• Fried Shishito with Bonito Frake

Today's Miso Soup:
• Wakame & Fresh-made Tofu

HMF Project: Adoption day - Hello, Good Bye

This is what we kept.
3 baby Tomato plants & Tomato-chan (probably a weed).
Today we said lots of "Good Bye."














Yet I can still say "Hello" to Tomato-chan!



Baby Tomato plants were being adopted much quicker than we expected.
(We thought it'll take 2-3 days to find home for every plants)
So, there were a few people who came after all the tomato plants were gone.
We are sorry, but here's a good news!
In a week or two, we'll put our Basil for adoption.
(Now they are still too small to leave home)
Please check our blog, and came back to claim your Basil!

HMF Project: Adoption day - Proud New Parents

Our baby Tomato plants were selling like a hot cake! They were being adopted one by one to a new home.



I'd like to introduce some of the new proud parents for baby Tomato plants.
Yes, they are official(?) Hibino Micro Farmers!














(I think her red coat & red bag are really cool!)














They already are parents of a human baby, but generous enough to add our Tomato plant as their new family member.














Our neighbor!
He was very happy to get a baby Tomato plant.
We were very happy Tomato plants found lots of new homes.

HMF Project: Adoption day - Prep.

The day has come.
Our baby Tomato plants (many of them) are leaving home...














We kept 4 baby tomato plants (and of course, Tomato-chan!).
Rest are separated into about 20 pods.




























They are ready to be adopted.
Hope they'll find great new home...

Thursday, April 26th Special

Today's obanzai:
• Rice Croquett with Salmon
• Saba Miso-ni
• Kiss Tempura

Today's Miso Soup:
• Snow pea

HMF Project: WANTED!!

WANTED!
Foster parents for our Baby Tomato Plant

If you’d like to grow a Tomato at your home, please come in to the restaurant and pick up the pod!
(I will separate the baby tomato plants this morning)
We have a bunch of baby tomato plants in need of new home.

Now you are a Micro Farmer, too!

Wednesday, April 25th Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Rolled Cabbage (minced chicken inside)
• Eggplant Meat-miso Dengaku
• Rice Croquette with Salmon
• Bari Bari Cabbage with Garlic Miso Sauce

Today's Miso Soup:
• Shishito & Tofu

Tuesday, April 24th Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Rolled Cabbage (minced chicken inside)
• Eggplant Meat-miso Dengaku
• Rice Croquette with Salmon

Today's Miso Soup:
• Okura

HMF Project: In Need of Foster Parents

Finally, we (human kind) can feel the Spring, too.














Basil had a late start, but it is catching up.














Both "Tomato-chan" and real Tomatoes are getting bigger, too.

But sometime this week, I have to do a painful task.
I have to pluck out many of the sprouts -- so chosen some would have more soil and sun to grow. (May be I can wait a little more for Basil, but Tomatoes have to be taken care of, soon...)

Hmmmm, how should I make a choice?
I know I'll keep Tomato-chan.
May be I can bring "un-chosen one" to my home, so they can also grow.

Even in human world, sometimes you encounter this kind of situation.
When you are a chosen one, yes, life is great.
But when you end up on the other side of the soil, you could feel a bit sad & miserable.

I have an idea!
I'll talk to our staff and look for foster parents for these sprouts.
So each of them have a chance to grow!
(and our staff would have his/her own Tomato & Basil at their own home)

Monday, April 23rd Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Aji Furai -Fried Horse Mackerel
• Rock Shrimp Nanban zuke
• Kinpira Gobo
• Ika (Squid) & Grilled Tofu no Tai-tan

Today's Miso Soup:
• Grilled Tokyo Scallion & Wakame

Saturday, April 21st Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Aji Furai -Fried Horse Mackerel
• Baked Eggplant with Ground Beef Miso Sauce
• Mackerel & Zucchini white Miso An-kake
• Rock Shrimp Nanban zuke

Today's Miso Soup:
• Enoki Mushroom & Wakame

Spring finally has come!
Enjoy yourself in this nice weather!!

Friday, April 20th Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Rice Croquette with Eel
• Baked Eggplant with Ground Beef Sauce
• Organic Chicken & Lotus Root Crispy Cakes
• Aji Furai -Fried Horse Mackerel
• Salmon Skin Salad

Today's Miso Soup:
• Enoki Mushroom, Daikon & Carrot

Thursday, April 19th Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Rice Croquette with Eel
• Miso Kabocha Soup
• Renkon + Chiken Hasami Age
• Daikon no Taitan + Organic Ajitsuke Tamago


Today's Miso Soup:
• Shishito & Shiitake Mushroom

HMF Project: Tomato-chan Update!

Hello, Tomato-chan!

When I took photos yesterday, I wasn't thinking about Tomato-chan.
After the fact, when I was writing this blog, it occurred to me:
"Where was Tomato-chan?"
So this morning, I took a closer look.
Yes, Tomato-chan was there!














But it is getting more and more clear that Tomato-chan is not a Tomato... She is a different kind of plant or a weed. Other guys have hairy stem, and have leaves in different shapes. Also other guys started smell like Tomato. Well, I repeat myself. I still love you, Tomato-chan!

Wednesday, April 18th Special

Today's obanzai:
• Nanban-zuke (Stripe Bass)
• Chicken Wing Shio Yaki
• Daikon no Taitan + Organic Ajitsuke Tamago
• Rice Croquette with Eel
• Enoki & Shiitake Mushroom Soup

Today's Miso Soup:
• Daikon & Age

HMF Project Update: Where's my Tomato-chan?

Though it is still chilly, spring is knocking the door.
Ton, ton, ton (this is the sound of knocking in Japanese).
Plants are feeling it.














Tomato is growing & growing.
We can see actual leaves apart from the seed leaves.














Basil is catching up, too. It is still in its seed leaf, but it is getting taller.














But where is Tomato-chan???
Could this be my Tomato-chan? I'll take a closer look tomorrow morning...

Tuesday, April 17th Special

Today's obanzai:
• Nanban-zuke (Stripe Bass)
• Wakatake ni
• Lotus Root & Shrimp Hasami Age
• Chicken Wing Shio Yaki

Today's Miso Soup:
• Wakame & Age

Did you file your tax?
I finished it on Sunday morning. Phew!!

Monday, April 16th **Rainy Day** Special

Rainy Day Special
• Mini Kitsune Udon $4
(Udon noodle with sweetened Bean curd in warm broth)

Today's obanzai:
• Nanban-zuke (Stripe Bass)
• Wakatake ni
• Lotus Root & Shrimp Hasami Age

Today's Miso Soup:
• Wakame & Age

This week, weather is kind of nasty.
But come and eat "Kitsune Udon" @ Hibino and be warm!

Yes, we are open for Lunch!
Monday through Friday, from 12 noon to 2:30 PM.
Try our Obento Box ($8, including Salad / Rice / Miso soup)

Otasuke-man: Mighty Helpers

This is Arisa-san.
Super skillful Sushi-girl!














This cute shy lady is Shiho-san.
She comes to Hibino after her regular work. She helps around every corner at Hibino.














This is Vicente.
He is a Sushi chef, but was helping serving & dish washing this day.


We are so fortunate.

As you already know by now, we are a very small capital restaurant.
(In fact, micro capital restaurant! It's a miracle we came this far..., really...)
So, we couldn't hire enough staff for the opening month.
We weren't sure how many people would come to eat at our place.
But if you hire somebody, (even if you have no money) you have to pay them.

For opening month, instead of hiring extra person (since we weren't sure of financial outcome of our place), we are having a bunch of helpers. They are friends and former colleagues of chefs and staff. They are chefs, waiters, and regular office workers. They equally contributed to Hibino's operation. Without them, we wouldn't be standing here (without any exaggeration).

I introduced some of them already, but we'd like to give our thanks to them again.
Thank you so much, Mukai-kun, Choi-kun, Jin-kun, Xue-kun, Yanagi-san, Hiroshi-kun, Arisa-san, Shiho-san, Vicente!
And last, but not least, Chiaki-san who is in Japan now.

Hopefully, we can hire extra person very soon. So we can serve you faster ;-)

Saturday, April 14th Special

Today's obanzai:

• Nanbab-zuke (fillet of white fish)
• Tori Jaga (Organic Chicken Stew with Potatoes)
• Rice Croquette with Salmon
• Baked Eggplant with White Miso

Today's Special:
• Uni (sea urchin) & Lobster Tamago Tofu $8

Today's Miso Soup:
• Enoki Mushroom & Home made Tofu

Friday, April 13th Special

Today's obanzai:

• Tori Jaga (Organic Chicken Stew with Potatoes)
• Yaki Saba Sushi (Grilled Mackerel Sushi)
• Ginger Braised Tuna
• Smoked Salmon Ceviche with Granny Smith Apple and Shiso Dresssing
• Rice Croquette with Eel and Shiso
• Baked Eggplant with White Miso

Today's Miso Soup:
• Enoki Mushroom & Home made Tofu

Thursday, April 12th **Rainy Day** Special

Rainy Day Special
• Mini Kitsune Udon $4
(Udon noodle with sweetened Bean curd in warm broth)

Today's obanzai:
• Tori Jaga (Organic Chicken and Potatoes)
• Hijiki Salad
• Rice Croquette with Eel and Shiso
• Smoked Salmon Ceviche with Granny Smith Apple, Shiso Dressing

Today's Miso Soup:
• Daikon & home made Tofu

It's raining out but hope to see you at Hibino!

Wednesday, April 11th Special

Today's obanzai:
• Smoke Salmon Ceviche
• Hijiki no taitan
• Garlic Potato
• Inari Sushi

Today's Miso Soup:
• Shihito & Wakame

Now the construction is over!
We open for dinner at 5:30 PM.
Also we started serving lunch today!
Lunch hour is 12 noon to 2:30 PM.
Join us for lunch, too!

HMF Project & Today's Helper

Hibino's construction is almost over. We still have small projects/installations to be completed, but all the major work is done! Phew!!














This is not a final conclusion, but I believe more and more that Tomato-chan is a weed... Other spouts' stem has lots of hair, but Tomato-chan's stem is bold. Well, well, well... As I said before, I still love Tomato-chan.














Basil leaves are growing slowly, but surely.














This is today's helper Mukai-kun.
You might not see him that much, but he's one of the most-frequent-helper of Hibino. He comes to help during the prep time quite often. Thank you, Mukai-kun. We all appreciate your generous help!

Monday, April 9 Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Hijiki no Taitan (Hijiki & Age & Carrot)
• Aemono: Smoke Salmon & Onion
• Kabocha no Taitan

Today's Miso Soup:
Wakame & Green beans

Construction on Sunday -- Last Phase

Sometimes it Snows in April,,,,,














Finally, our construction is finishing up.














Yoji-kun is here to work, for today.

HMF Project: Sunday, April 9th

Our plants are growing!


















Basil seeds finally woke up.














Tomato forest??

HMF Project Quick update & Yoji-kun

Sprouts of Tomato are growing!
?????
But they look different from my "Tomato-chan."
Could my cute little "Tomato-chan" have been a weed?
Well, I'll keep eyes on both "bunch of sprouts" and MY "Tomato-chan."
Tomato-chan.
Even if you were a weed, I still love you!














Yoji-kun from YT Design came over on Saturday night (not to work but to eat!). They had Shrimp Toji Maki, Warm Tofu, Eel Croquette, Beef Kakuni, Kyoto Hakosihi & Anago Hakosushi. Yum, Yum!

Friday, April 6 Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Braised Mackerel bo sushi
• Rice Croquette with Eel & Shiso
• Braised Tuna in Ginger Soy Broth
• Spring Vegetable Ohitashi
• Warm Salad (Tomato & Zucchini)
• Potato Nitsuke in Soy Broth
• Agedashi Egg Plant

Today's Miso Soup:
Enoki Mashroom

Thursday, April 5th Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Rice Croquette with Eel & Shiso
• Braised Tuna in Ginger Soy Broth
• Spring Vegetable Ohitashi
• Warm Salad (Tomato & Zucchini)
• Potato Nitsuke in Soy Broth
• Agedashi Egg Plant

Today's Miso Soup:
Enoki Mashroom


We will open at 6 PM today.

Hibino Micro Farmer Project

We planted tomato & basil on March 29th.













This was the first step of Hibino Micro Farmer Project. (HMF project, in short)














A Tomato seed has sprouted!
(we were so excited!!!)














This was a shot from last night. We named this first sprout "Tomato-chan." Hope she grows & grows. One day she might be in your salad!














This is our Tomato-chan this morning. She is getting taller!!

Apology • Apology

This week has been turbulent.
We owe you Apologies...














This was Monday afternoon shot. There was no way that we could greet you in a proper space...














Jose was working hard, without Hama-san...


First apology:
We felt so terrible that we had to close the restaurant on Monday.
We want to be a DEPENDABLE neighborhood restaurant. We don't want to be the restaurant you aren't sure they are open or not till you get there.
[However, please allow us to make a excuse. Hama-san @ Locus had a back spasm (!) 2 weeks ago. So construction work is taking longer than both we & Locus expected...]

Second apology:
Our telephone line wasn't working last few days!
(We contacted Verizon, and started repair process a few days ago.)
Now the line is working.

We might encounter more problems.
But when we do, we'll do our best to fix the issue :-)

Wednesday, April 4th Special

Rainy Day Special:
• Veggie Miso Soup
This soup is on us!
We want to thank you for coming in this weather.

Today's Obanzai:
• Rice Croquette with Eel & Shiso
• Braised Tuna in Ginger Soy Broth
• Spring Vegetable Ohitashi
• Warm Salad (Tomato & Zucchini)
• Hoku Hoku Potato (potato & butter)
• Agedashi Egg Plant

Today's Miso Soup:
Grilled Tokyo Scallion


We will open at 6 PM today.

Tuesday April 3rd Special

Today's Obanzai:
• Braised Tuna in Ginger Soy Broth
• Spring Vegetable Ohitashi
• Warm Salad (Tomato & Zucchini)
• Hoku Hoku Potato (potato & butter)
• Agedashi Egg Plant

Today's Miso Soup:
Wakame & Fresh-made Tofu

Special Sushi:
Roasted Duck Sushi

We will open at 6 PM today.

Monday April 2nd -- Temporarily Closed Today

We are really really sorry, but we are temporarily closed today due to delay in renovation work.

Our plan was to wrap up the renovation work over the weekend.
Well, well, well.... Plan was a plan...

We'll be open tomorrow DEFINITELY.
Our staff, including chefs, will clean up the construction mess tonight, so we can welcome you back in descent space.

Again, we are really sorry for this.
Hope to see you tomorrow!

First Week...

This is cutie-super-helper chef Chiaki holding our Fresh-made Tofu. She came to help our opening week all the way from Japan. But she is leaving us soon... We'll miss her so much...

Anyway, rainy Sunday night is a perfect time to recollect our first week.

First of all, we'd like to thank everybody who came to our place.
You would never know how much encouragement you gave us.
Hibino is our first restaurant/venture, so we weren't sure what would happen.
We had been speculating worst case scenario so many times...

Also we are so happy that we had many people coming from the neighborhood.
I heard people saying:
"We live down the block!"
"Came from just around the corner."
"Across the street", etc.

When we decided to open a restaurant at this location, we envisioned a neighborhood restaurant. As I said before in the blog, it is not an ideal location for the restaurant. But we though we could make it work if we could get a support from people live around.
It is too early to tell we can financially survive or not, but we are hoping to stay here and keep serving you a good meal at a reasonable price.
So please come over again! If you come, we can stay here!!