Robiraki: Opening of the Hearth

On Matt’s first weekend day off in many months on Sunday, we attended “Robiraki” at Shofuso in Fairmount Park. Robiraki, or “Opening of the Hearth,” is like the New Years of Tea Ceremony, so it was fitting that this was how we celebrated Matt’s re-introduction into weekend society.  Always in November, it symbolizes the beginning of tea ceremony season in Japanese culture. The Samovar tea website has a much more thorough description of robiraki–I’m mainly here for the photos.

This particular celebration was organized by students of the tea ceremony school at Shofuso. It was very formal, but intimate and calming, even after sitting seiza for practically three hours.

A basic rundown of robiraki goes like this, and believe me when I say that tea ceremony and robiraki are more intricate than I will ever have time to learn, let alone explain:

1. Guests gather in a waiting room until everyone has arrived.
2. Guests walk single file to the tokonoma (tea room).
3. As each guest enters, they bow and kneel briefly at the scroll and then again at the fire.

4. The beginning of the ceremony includes building the fire with special charcoal called sumi and inviting the guests to move closer to watch.

5. Then food is served–a traditional light meal in a bento box.

6. This particular bento included green beans, gohan with shiso flakes and edamame, marmalade kabocha and walnuts, and sashimi. It was the perfect comfort food on a gloomy day (I emphasize “gloomy” to explain my poor quality photos sans flash).

7. After the meal, a sweet is served, and we were lucky to have (homemade, of course) zenzai.  Matt is obsessed with zenzai and very often threatens to try making it himself.  I don’t know what’s taking him so long, personally.

8. Intermission (10 minutes)
9. Guests file back into the tokonoma for the tea. First, everyone is served koicha, a thicker-style tea.
10. The tea bowls and containers are then passed around to be observed and treated with full respect as each guest bows before receiving the item and bows again before passing it on.
11. A second, thinner tea, is served, called usucha. (This was my favorite–earthy and warm.)
12. Repeat #10.

13. More sweets are served with the usucha–these were gummy with a thin, crispy layer. The maple leaves were very symbolic of the season.

The end of robiraki is a bit anticlimactic, but I believe that is the point. After a quiet and calm experience, guests simply stand, wait for the feeling to return to their legs and feet, and go home.

Tria

Matt and I finally made it to Tria together for the first time after Matt had been raving about this restaurant for years. It left me wanting more of their extensive wine list (about 30 glass pours for under $15) and very reasonable small plates. No reservations here, so you may have to sidle up to the bar if you want to eat, but it’s worth it.

I started with a glass of the the DÃO, GARRIDA ESTATE 2006 Portugal from the “Sociable Reds” ($8.5): smooth, fruity, and perfect for a variety of small plates (or, “snacks”):

We ordered two snacks: the Spicy Crab and Chickpea Stuffed Piquillo Peppers for $4.5 and the Warm Tuscan White Bean Spread with Baguette for $3. Great tastes, great prices. You could have a gourmet meal for two here for under $30, I guarantee it.

We both thought that the bean spread was outstanding. Smooth, creamy, salty, with some cheesy flavors (we think it was parmesan), this was warm with a nice crust. The baguette also deserves a rousing mention: it was crusty but also slightly chewy and soft, with a freshness that made the bread subtle but a perfect accompaniment to the hearty bean spread. I wanted seconds.

The peppers, although delicious, paled to the bean spread. The sauce was a bit watery and maybe because I like spicy foods, this did not have the kick that I expected. I was hoping for more whole pieces of crab in the filling, even though I think the point was to make it as creamy and blended with the chickpea as possible.  That’s OK–it was still very tasty.

Tria is the kind of place that you want to return to regularly just so you can try everything on the menu.  Good food, good drink, good atmosphere, good prices.

Palomar Hotel Philadelphia: Luxury Living on a budget

The Palomar in Philadelphia is luxurious without being obnoxiously over-the-top. Matt’s exact words were: “Now we get to see what it’s like to live in a fancy Rittenhouse Square condo for a night.” The staff is friendly and efficient, the decor is cool and simple, and there is an eco-conscious theme that permeates everything. This hotel makes me want to move away from Philadelphia just so I could visit and stay here more often.

Cool and helpful reception:

Clean room and comfy bed:

Relaxing and deep Fuji tub:

Nice and high view:

Fast and fancy elevators:

All for $129. Special deal. Loved it.

I loved the art deco in the lobby. I loved the clean designs and eco-friendly atmosphere. I loved the ofuro-style tub that melted away all of the stress I had accumulated in my body. I loved the animal print robes in the closet. I loved the central location close to Rittenhouse Square.

I want to live here forever and ever.