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What Teray Says...
Thanks to the suggestion by our friend, Aileen Pena, we decided with her being the third person that had told us about this place recently we definitely should check it out. Kyara Japanese Tapas is located on Jones and the 215 right next to the Tropical Smoothie Cafe. You have to pay close attention, because we almost drove by and didn't see it.
The waiter explained the menu to us, but we had a really hard time understanding what was going on so Brett just started marking things on the menu that we either recognized, or looked like we would like to recognize. :) Because we got so many things, I am going to write them in a list format and then comment next to each of them. Here we go...
Free glass of white wine: Not sure which it was, but because it was free, it was fantastic!
Aburi Shime Saba: Seared Mackerel with yuzu ponzu sauce; this was absolutely amazing. The fish was so fresh and melted in my mouth. Next time I would probably order more helpings of this. 
Agedashi Nasu: deep fried eggplant with special sauce; this was really good, when I was eating it though I didn't realize it was eggplant. We had to ask the waiter after we started eating it. Not the typical eggplant I am used to when I think of eggplant (ex: eggplant parm).
Soft Shell Crab: Something else that we ordered
because we knew what it was. I took the two biggest pieces because I was being greedy. It didn't even taste fried and the fish was fresh, which is always two pluses for me.
Ika Butter: stir fried squid with butter; this also was very good. I am huge squid fan, but it had a little too much butter. I should have read the name more carefully. DUH Teray. LOL. Brett tricked me at first and told me it was intestines. I spit it out and almost cried...little did I know I ate that later on....(keep reading) 
Motsu Ni: Pork intestine Stew; yes you are reading it correctly. I was very forceful in my opinion that I was not going to try this. Brett reminded me that this experience is all about trying new things. When I saw it not only did it not look that bad, but I didn't want to not accept the challenge that Brett inadvertently gave me, so I dug in. Let me tell you, intestines are not that bad, it is just like eating any other part of an animal body, but I think the word just makes you think it is gross. It was extremely rich in flavor and I finished every spoonful. 
Overall, I really enjoyed Kyara. We got 11 things for $50.05! What a deal! I would absolutely go there again with a crowd, because I would love to share and try new things. For service, atmosphere and food I would give them a 4.5 and will for sure go back there!
What Brett Says...
After receiving multiple suggestions Teray and I went to a little place called "Kyara." It's a Japanese tapas restaurant at the 215 and Jones (by Tropical Smoothie Cafe). I had never even heard of it, or Japanese tapas for that matter. I have eaten Japanese food and I have also eaten tapas, but not the hybrid. I really wasn't sure what to expect. It was definitely one of those weeks going in completely blind not knowing a thing, kinda the point of this whole blog. I was just surprised since we live 2 miles away that it had never caught my eye. I know Teray went through each and every food above so I will do more of a general wrap up review. I haven't read her review yet (we don't even talk about it together, we just blog, publish, and then read it like everyone else) but I have a feeling we will be along the same line.
When you walk in you get the Japanese feel, even though it is in another strip mall. We were promptly seated, to my surprise they get you away from the parking lot and have you get into the atmosphere. They have a bar you can eat in as well as small rooms with a couple tables in each...kinda like you see in movies where someone gets thrown through the paper walls. The only exception was that there was no shadow of a woman getting changed in the next room, I might have to send this blog to them so they can make it more realistic (like the movies). It was an awesome atmosphere, you are definitely part of it all, even though you are in a small room. It was reassuring to see plenty of people of Asian decent in the place, it just inspires confidence. Aside from looking the part they also have a staff of what I would assume to be Japanese people, which made it even more interesting since I couldn't understand most of what was being said. I'm sure at times we ate stuff that we though was something else. I'm all about it...how weird is it to go to an Italian restaurant just to see that all the cooks are Mexican, it just can't taste as good as when you see that old fat Italian guy in back. Needless to say this place works.
As for the food; we ordered 11 tapas, one dessert, and Teray got a free glass of wine because it was ladies night. The tapas were pretty much chosen at random since neither of us know Japanese or Japanese food. We had everything from miso soup to calamari to pork intestine, thats right intestine. I wish you all could have been there to see Teray try intestine for the first time, she eventually ate her half of the order. (I actually ate my whole portion Brett!!!...had to add this in after publishing it - Teray)I'm not sure if the food was good by Japanese standards but as far as my taste buds were concerned it was pretty good. Everything I ate had an interesting taste and nothing made me regret ordering it. If you know tapas you know you usually don't get much to a serving, Kyara met the standard or exceeded it as for portion size. The selection had a range of prices ($1 and up). I think the key to tapas is to bring a group and just order half the menu, but you can easily enjoy this place on a date.
Overall I would say this is a great place for a date, even better for a first date. If you can't think of anything to talk about you can always default to the food. The semi-private rooms give an intimate feel and if you pick the right night you can save a few bucks and get your date a free glass of wine. I would go back here in a second, I think I would do it more in a double date sense just to order more and try more. If you go you have to either order the cow tongue or the pork intestine...YOU HAVE TO. If you don't you miss out being able to say you are brave and ate that. The price was good, for everything we ordered it was $50. Know where else but a tapas place can you try that many things and spend that little. I know you are probably thinking a buffet would meet that criteria...it does but if you are taking your date to a buffet there is something wrong with you and you most likely will not be getting a second date.
My rating is 4 out of 5
Patty's Closet Outfit of the Week
Thanks to Patty and Juan of Patty's Closet for providing me with my outfit of the week this week and for Jose of Patty's Closet for helping me pick it out!! This black top can be worn in so many ways! The loose fit and comfort of the material make it a cozy, fall staple. I chose to wear it over a basic tshirt with some skinny jeans and layered it with a scarf. Everyone that knows me knows I adore layering! I think next time I wear this it will be over one of my favorite tank dresses with some tights and boots. The black top and scarf are from the Patty's Rainbow Store!! ♥
Cheers to everyone having a Happy Halloween!
Wow, now this is definitely a place with a different menu. Intestines, tongues, yikes, but I give the two of you credit , you braved it and tried it all. Don't think I could say the same if I go. Everything pictured looks yummy . I don't think you can lose no matter which way you go-the old standbys or the adventurous cuisine!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the small rooms,kind of an intimate setting and definitely great atmosphere to add to the whole experience.
Outfit of the week is again adorable! Something all ages could wear :)
Enjoy!!!!