Friend's Hospitality / 友達のお・も・て・な・し

Last week, a friend of mine who is ten years my senior invited me and the wife (and another friend) to his home.  My friend (Yamakawa-san) and his wife and just vacationed in Istanbul, Turkey a couple of months ago so his wife decided to serve us a Turkish meal.  I had met Yamakawa-san at a neighborhood rock bar called "Dokken" (yet another story in itself).  The owner, Dokken-san (not his real name) was also invited.  Yamakawa-san was one of the first people to take me under his wings and taught me what having fun in Tokyo is all about.  He took me to my first yatai (food booth), invited me out to Hyakunincho Yatai-mura (a collection of Southeast Asian restaurants with tables set in an open court, run by Southeast Asians, and made you feel like you were in another country).  He took me to the first Thai Festival (which by the way was sponsored by Thai Airlines and was in October).  Its now held every May and is sponsored by the Thai Embassy.  He took me to this underground event called "Dept. H" (which would be an entire story on its own).  He was and is a drinking buddy and is always entertaining to talk to.  And so is his wife who loves bluesy rock music and good food.

先週、日本で長い付き合いの友達が私たちを家に招待し、渋谷にあるマンションでホームパーティに行きました。もう一人の友達も一緒に招待され、賑やかな日曜日を過ごした。友達の名前は山川さん。知り合ったのは渋谷にあったロックバー「ドッケン」で。一緒に来てる友達はそのバーのマスターでした。山川さんのおかげで日本の面白さをいっぱい教えてもらった方です。最初におでんの屋台（常連のなった屋台とまた別のところ）を連れてくれた。麻布十番納涼祭りに連れてもらった。他に新大久保にあった百人町屋台村、渋谷の夜中イベント「デパートメントH」とか本当にいろいろ連れてくれた。自分より１０年年上なんだけど（ドッケンさんもそう）でもなぜか二人が自分を可愛がってくれた。今でもそう。山川さんの妻もまた陽気に方で話が合う。ロック好きだし、旅好き、そして、やっぱり食べるのも好き！山川夫婦は９月にトルコ、インスタンブル旅行にいったおかで、山川さんのつま、かつみさんが気合いを入れてトルコ料理を出してくれた。

The first dish to come to the table was a very nicely spiced kebab.  This always reminds of why I like Middle Eastern food so much.

最初の料理はトルコのスパイスとハーブ入りのケバブ。これを食べるとやっぱり自分にとって中近東料理が一番好きだな。

This was followed by kefte (a mildly spicy meatball) with spiced carrots as well.

次はケフテ（スパイスミートボール）、人参の味付けも美味しい。

I don't know what the official name is for this particular rice dish, but don't eat it yet!

この料理はなんというか分かりませんが、まだ食べちゃだめ！

Once you pour on the yogurt sauce, then it will be ready for consumption.

ヨーグルトソースをかけたら完成。

You can find restaurants that serve Ghengis Khan (a lamb dish) but you would have to search hard to find a place that serves lamb chops.

東京でジンギスカン料理は簡単に見つかれるが、ラムチョップはメニューにみたことない。

The final dish to be served was a staple dish in the Middle East and along the Mediterranean - couscous.  There are so many varieties of this dish I wouldn't be able to explain what it should taste like.  We topped the couscous with some halissa (a hot pepper sauce) to give it an even greater kick.

最後のおもてなし料理は地中海料理定番料理のクスクス。クスクスはいろいろあるからこれがクスクスだというのはない。好きな野菜や肉をクスクスの上に乗せたら、種類が無限に近い。ハリサというスパイシーペッパーソースをかけて、超美味しい。


Bon Appetit!

いただきます！