After last week’s Flay vs. Morimoto Battle: Eggnog what can the Chairman have up his well tailored sleeve?

Well, it’s a battle between Cat Cora and Michael Symon. A contest between the first female Iron Chef (Cora) and the first Next Iron Chef winner (Symon) certainly sounds like fun. I love to watch Symon cook and I love to watch Cat do anything.

The guest judges for tonight include a singer, an actress and a chocolatier as the legendary Patti LeBelle, Tony Award winner Cady Huffman and one of the great patry chefs in the world, François Payard are on hand.  Hmm, two ladies and a pastry chef.  Could the theme ingredient be another sweet holiday treat?  Perhaps Symon can unleash his chocolate covered bacon again.

Alright, last night I was able to knock out one more Iron Chef from my list as Yuki’s parents took us along with her sister to Iron Chef Italian Masahiko Kobe’s restaurant, Ristorante Massa. It’s located in a very cool neighborhood of Tokyo called Ebisu tucked away off a main street. It’s a simple little restaurant that seats only about 25-30 people. It was full when we were there, and probably is most nights due to his celebrity status and fantastic food.

There were two pre fix menu options. The one we opted for was the less expensive of the two (approx $65 compared to $85) as it offered one less dish than the other. Since none of us are fat Americans it seemed like the right choice. We could chose one from each category of Antipasto Freddo (3 choices), Antipasto Caldo (three choices), Primo Piatto (5 choices), Secondo Piatto (4 choices), and either a Dolce (5 choices) or Formaggio Plate (pick two out of 4 cheeses) followed by either tea or espresso. We washed down the meal with some Chianti Classico. I have pics of everything, but I’m only going to mention what I ordered otherwise this post will be way way way too long. This is already one of the longest introductions I’ve written. So, on to the food!

We each started off with the Oyster starter that was not part of the Pre Fix. It is probably the largest oyster I’ve ever eaten in my life! So fresh and clean it was simply served in its own juices with a little squeeze of lime and some rock salt. What more does a good oyster need?

Then they brought out an amuse bouche. Baked pasta filled with ricotta cheese, a little slice of pear, and an Italian parsley leaf. It almost reminded me of matzoh with cream cheese, a treat dear to my stomach for one week out of the year.

The Antipasto Freddo I ordered was a foie gras terrine with chamomile. It was served with smoked Ishikawa potatoes, a yuzu consomme jelly, Italian Arugula, and sprinkled with flaked red pepper.

My Antipasto Caldo of choice was a bit of a mis-translation. I thought I was getting duck confit, when it showed up we thought is was duck balls, but it turned out to be chicken gizzards. I actually preferred it to be balls since I’ve never eaten bird balls, but it was still outstanding! The gizzards were served on top of a kabocha puree with thinly sliced red onions that were soaked in cold water, a shishito pepper, and a pea pod.

The Primo Piatto, pasta course, I ordered was chitarra with cremini sauce. The sauce was as simple and delicious as could be…olive oil, garlic, and minced cremini mushrooms. There were big slices of sautéed cremini in it as well. With Kobe being the “Prince of Pasta” it was easily the best pasta in my life. Cooked to perfection, nice and al dente.

For the Secondo Piatto I got the beef, of course. A perfectly grilled strip loin to medium rare covered in a light mustard sauce and served with asparagus, a shiitake, a pea pod, and a slice of red pepper. Uichiro, Yuki’s dad, ordered his with black truffles on top. I wish I knew I could do that. He gave me a few of the truffles and they made an outstanding steak even better…as truffles always do.

I opted for the Formaggio instead of a Dolce. I chose the parmigiano and taleggio. He served it very typically with some dried fruits and sliced nut bread. I washed it down with lemon tea instead of espresso as I wanted to sleep later on.

Maki, Yuki’s sister, couldn’t finish her Tirimisu so I took it upon myself to not waste any food. It was served with kiwi sorbet and fresh fruit. Of course, it was the best tirimisu that I’ve ever digested.

Overall, this was by far the best Italian food I’ve ever eaten, hands down. And I’ve been to Italy. I’m sure there are places as good in Italy, but when Yuki and I went there we couldn’t afford any of the top restaurants. We ate some pretty damn good food there, but nothing as refined as this.

I have also said before that I didn’t think modern Italian food existed. I said that due to the lack of creativity and refinement of Italian food in Chicago (although, I have yet to eat at Spiaggia). At home it’s mostly humongous bowls of pasta with thick rich sauces that weigh you down. Nothing like Ristorante Massa where the portions were clean, fresh, perfectly sized, and creative modern takes on classics. I have a newfound respect for Italian food.

While I have eaten at Sakai’s, Michiba’s, and Chen’s restaurants, this is the first time that an Iron Chef has actually cooked for me. It was very exciting to see Kobe back in the kitchen when we walked in. I think there are two reasons Kobe was cooking for us. First, he only has one restaurant while the others all have numerous. So you know where Kobe will be when he cooks as opposed to it being a crapshoot for the others (I missed Sakai by 4 hours back when Yuki and I went to La Rochelle). Second, he’s still young at only 40 and still wants to create. Michiba is an old man and doesn’t cook anymore and I don’t think Sakai cooks too much anymore either.

No more Iron Chefs this trip as we head back to cold Chicago tomorrow. Next trip I’ll visit Iron Chef Japanese Nakamura Komei and maybe Honorary Iron Chef French Ishinabe Yutaka. Morimoto will have to wait as his Teppanyaki restaurant here in Tokyo starts at approx $300 a head!

If you know me in real life, then it’s fairly apparent from my significant hind end that I don’t just look at food—I eat it.  However, when I’m not busy cramming food into my pie hole, I do enjoy watching Food Network (FN). It’s fairly entertaining, tolerable when nothing else is on, often educational, and always family friendly.  I don’t have to worry about my daughter walking in on two sous-chefs ripping off their aprons and going at it on the counter or a crazed Mario standing over Alton Brown’s corpse with a bloody knife.

We don’t watch every show, because there are some not relevant to our palate, a few that make no sense, one or two that have no entertainment value whatsoever (I’m looking at you Chefs v. City), and a handful with hosts who are just downright annoying. (*cough* Sandra Lee *cough*)

Nevertheless, we’re pretty avid fans of anything A.B. does, FN Challenge (except barbecue—yawn), and Ace of Cakes. (Aside: It used to be, when asked about my “dream job,” I’d say meteorologist—I’m weird, I know—but now I’d probably say working at Charm City Cakes.) But our “must see” favorites are by far Iron Chef America (ICA) and Chopped.

Now for those of you who don’t get cable under your rocks, or spend your TV time watching crap, ICA is the Americanized adaptation of a Japanese TV program featuring “battles” between well-established, celebrity chefs and accomplished, albeit lesser-known, guest chefs. Battles are centered around a certain ingredient, such as a particular species of fish, or variants of a fruit or vegetable, such as cherries.  After a timed session in the kitchen, chefs present their culinary creations to a panel of three judges.  ICA judging panels are typically composed of random third-tier celebrities whose only association with food is that they eat, various other foodies, and food writers like that fat drunk who thinks he’s hilarious but is actually a complete douche bag. The winner gets bragging rights and some level of prestige within the culinary world.

Chopped is designed on a similar premise, pitting four budding chefs against each other in a series of cooking challenges including an appetizer, entree, and dessert.  After each course, a chef is eliminated, or “chopped,” until there are two left battling over dessert.  The twist here is that instead of one secret ingredient, each round is centered on three or four mystery components, several of which have no culinary connection.  For instance, a typical entree round might include shrimp, some random root vegetable from the Middle East, peanut butter, and a tire gauge. The chefs must incorporate all four ingredients into their respective dishes.  The winner here receives $10,000, which is not a bad deal for a couple of crab cakes made from potato chips and shower caulk.  There is also panel of three judges, and their critiques can be…well…brutal, except for Aarooooooooooon  Sanchez, who is, without a doubt, the Paula Abdul of the culinary set. (Your salad looks so nice! You’re a star!)

Anyway, my point (and yes, I do have one) is that competitors on both programs seem to run into the same problems again and again.  And so, in an effort to help any aspiring ICA or Chopped contestants who might stumble upon my rantspace, I’ve developed some helpful hints for success on each program.

Iron Chef America

1.  Pick Bobby Flay.  Nobody ever beats anyone else.  I’m not saying Bobby Flay isn’t a great chef, I’m just saying, if you want to win, picking Cat Cora is a baaaaad idea.  And stay away from Morimoto, too, because if there is fish of any kind, you are screwed. Mario can make pasta out of a dishrag and Michael Symon is just downright scary. Stick with Flay and you’ve got a chance.

2.  Prior to performing in “Kitchen Stadium,” visit a restaurant supply store.  Ask to be demonstrated the uses of each and every gadget in sight.  Pay attention to the little things like how to get the lid off (or on) and where the power switch might be.  And, if possible, ask for remediation with regard to can openers.  I’m not sure how it is that so many quasi-professional chefs are unable to open a can of condensed milk, but there it is.

3.  Stay away from the ice cream machine unless you intend to make actual dessert. Nobody wants to eat spinach sorbet. NOBODY.

Chopped

1. Watch the show.  If I had one piece of advice for ambitious Choppers, it would be this.  WATCH. THE. SHOW.  It’s like the contestants have no clue what’s going on. Durrr what’s this basket…durrr I can’t find the milk…durrr…I grabbed a knife by the blade…If you WATCH THE SHOW, then the rest will naturally follow.

2. Don’t use garnish.  I know, I know, the celery leaves make the plate all pretty pretty princess, but just say no.  Geoffrey and Chris don’t like garnish and won’t hesitate to make you look like an idiot by asking, “Am I supposed to eat this half-a-lemon?”

3.  Practice good hygiene.  This should really go without saying in any kitchen, but on Chopped it is especially crucial, especially if Alex is a judge.  Make no doubt, she is watching you, your spoon, your hands, your mouth and everything in between to see if you commit some unforgiveable germ error.  And for the love of Pete, de-vein your shrimp. PLEASE.

4.  Prior to taping, walk to your home pantry and remove the sugar canister. Bring it to the counter.  Now fetch your saltshaker.  Sprinkle a fifty-cent piece sized pile of salt into one hand. Feel the texture of it with your fingers.  Smell it.  Make note of the obvious scent of sodium.  Look at the crystals.  Now empty your hand and repeat with the sugar. Notice it’s a slightly finer grain.  Perhaps it even smells sweet.  LEARN THE DIFFERENCE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.  I mean, COME. ON.  I am, by no means, a “cook” by any stretch of the imagination.  I am most definitely a kitchen amateur, but in my 25+ years of cooking I have never, ever, EVER mistaken salt for sugar.  Seriously.  How is this even an issue?  If all else fails, and you’re not sure, taste it before you add it.

5.  Refer to Iron Chef America advice item No. 2.  Where it reads, “can opener,” replace with “food processor.”

6. Easy on the hot stuff.  Geoffrey Z. and Amanda have excruciatingly sensitive palates.  If Geoffrey so much as smells cayenne, you’re toast.  And if Amanda reaches for her water glass?  Fugettaboutit.

7.  Stop cutting yourselves.  It’s embarrassing.  I realize it happens to everyone, but please.  Just pay attention to what you’re doing so I don’t have to watch you scurrying around trying to find a Band-Aid and bleeding into the risotto, which, by the way, will never finish cooking in the allotted time.

It has occurred to me that maybe the contestants aren’t as…um…thick…as they seem and perhaps it is the FN production staff just having a bit of fun.  What if we disconnect all but one of that stove’s burners? Hey! Let’s hide the cinnamon!  I know! I know! Turn up the heat in the studio so they can’t stop dripping sweat onto the counter!

Hmmm.  Maybe that’s my dream job.

Dopo essersi svincolato dal Torino Roberto Stellone è diventato ogetto del desiderio di diversi club di Serie A e Serie b. Però come spesso accade troppe offerte fanno sì che il giocatore non si decida e rimanga fermo in attesa di quella reputata migliore. Forse per l’ex granata si apriranno le porte del Massimino, dove fin qui le polveri bagnate di Morimoto e Plasmati hanno convinto Il Presidente Pulvirenti ad accollarsi l’ingaggio del bomber. Per Stellone tanti gol in tutte le categorie ma fin qui solo 11 in Serie A in ben 5 campionati disputati con le maglie di Napoli, Reggina e Torino.

In the 12th round of Serie A, the RedBlu missed another chance to collect vital points at home by settling with a scoreless tie with Napoli. The RedBlu actually played a good match overpowering a supposedly stronger team and creating chances while risking very little. The problem with the home team remains its inability to find the net and convert chances as it happened again today with Mascara first and Morimoto (photo) second failing to score a goal even within a few meters from the net. With this result, Atzori’s future remains highly uncertain as the RedBlu continue to struggle and remain dangerously put at the bottom of the standings.

O Napoli deve agradecer a Morimoto pelo ponto conquistado na Sicília

Depois da excelente vitória contra a Juventus, em Turim, o Napoli foi até a Sicília para enfrentar o Catania e só não saiu derrotado porque o time da casa não aproveitou as chances que teve – principalmente Morimoto, que perdeu gols incríveis. Resultado final: 0 a 0.

Foi naturalmente a melhor partida do Catania no campeonato. Faltou ao Napoli aquela vontade de jogar que vimos nos jogos anteriores. Assim, os azzurri perderam a chance de entrar no G4 e estão na sexta colocação. O Catania é o penúltimo colocado.

O jogo

O Napoli queria continuar sua escalada após os surpreendentes resultados conquistados nos últimos jogos. Mas, para o azar da torcida partenopea, o time de Walter Mazzarri foi dominado do começo ao fim. Aos 3 minutos de jogo, Morimoto teve a primeira chance para marcar, mas faltou pontaria.

Mazzarri escalou Quagliarella como titular, deixando Denis, muito bem nos últimos jogos, no banco de reservas. A única boa chance de gol para o Napoli na primeira etapa foi uma cobrança de falta de Cigarini. Somente isso. O Catania teve o jogo nas mãos.

Aos 10, Mascara cabeceou sozinho, na frente de De Sanctis, mas mandou incrivelmente para fora. Porém, aos 41, Morimoto se superou e perdeu um gol inacreditável, chutando a bola em cima do goleiro De Sanctis, após uma ótima assistência de Mascara.

Um dos gols perdidos mais inacreditáveis que eu já vi. Ah, Morimoto… E o Napoli? Bem, o Napoli não conseguiu nada no primeiro tempo e no segundo não foi diferente. A defesa cedeu muitos espaços e o ataque pouco produziu, ainda porque o meio de campo não conseguiu criar boas jogadas. Gargano deixou o campo machucado.

Na segunda etapa, aos 2 minutos, Llama cruzou e Morimoto, de novo ele, cabeceou sozinho, para fora. Lavezzi ficou com inveja e no lance seguinte teve uma boa oportunidade para marcar, mas chutou em cima do goleiro Andujar.

Tirando esse lance, o Catania teve o total controle do jogo, mas não conseguiu passar pelo goleiro De Sanctis. Mazzarri tentou reanimar seu time ao colocar Denis e Dátolo. Em vão. Do outro lado, Morimoto e Cia não tiveram pontaria.

Sorte do Napoli, que saiu da Sicília com um pontinho. Não era o que a torcida esperava, principalmente após a ótima vitória contra a Juventus em Turim. No entanto, pelas circunstâncias da partida, o empate acabou sendo bom. Ao Catania, resta treinar finalizações, não é mesmo, Morimoto?

(Clique aqui para ver todos os gols da 12ª rodada da Série A)

Éder Fantoni

During the Motorola Droid product launch event, I look towards the back of Morimoto, and there in the quiet shadows away from the main action (the crowded room was buzzing with New York taste makers, the well healed set, execs, and young dancers digging Dave from Chromeo ) I spot Chef Masaharu Morimoto. He was calm and centered, observing the room in a childlike and curious way, taking it all in, but then soon after, I caught him smiling to himself and looking out at the crowd like a proud father or benevolent king overlooking his kingdom. He was unassuming and no one in the room noticed him. We exchanged big broad smiles and nods like two little kids with a big secret. He seemed content and pleased in his anonymity. So, I respectfully did not snap a photo. Our interaction tugged at my heart strings. This is the second time I have bumped into him. Both times he came off as warm and humble. It’s refreshing to see a chef uninterested in fame and much more interested in their craft, the guests, the quality of the food, the staff etc.

My pics were a little dodgy that night. The sushi pics are blurry. Sadly, this is the best of the bunch.

Mini versions of the well known Morimoto  “tuna pizza”

Lobsters and oysters

Lobster, shrimp, crab legs, and oysters

An amazing frothy lemon cocktail with Soju and 3 kinds of sakes

Dave of Chromeo and A-Track.  Solid Dj’s and sweet fun loving brothers who also seem fairly uninterested in attention and are all about their craft- music. It’s semi un food related but just for the record…Dave killed it!

Strawberries dipped in green tea flavored white chocolate

L’ Inter risponde con una vittoria casalinga al successo della diretta concorrente al primato, la Sampdoria che aveva travolto il Bologna a Marassi nell’ anticipo del pomeriggio.

Iron Chef Morimoto

Need another reason to love Tribeca? Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto does! After leaving his position as head chef at world-renowned restaurant Nobu to be a Food Network star, Morimoto is coming back to Tribeca. He has his sights set on Church Street to open up his second restaurant, not far from featured space for lease 50 Hudson street. While the dishes at his 10th Avenue restaurant can be up to $80, Morimoto plans to make his new project a more “low-key” blend of Traditional modern Japanese dishes with native meals from around the world, with the highest priced item at $24. Morimoto’s business partner Mark Stone told the Tribeca Trib, “It’s a more casual, neighborhood kind of feel.”

The sample menu includes comfort food cuisine like fish and chips, steamed dumplings, homemade bagels, and fried bananas. Because of the few late-night dining options in the downtown area, Morimoto is hoping to keep his eatery open until 4am, but is still awaiting approval from the community board. Morimoto said, “It’s been my dream to open a restaurant in Tribeca. I still have a lot of friends down here.”

-Caitlin

Il pareggio di giovedì contro il Genoa ci poteva stare, quello in casa contro il Bologna un po’ meno per una squadra come la Juventus che vuole gridare al mondo di essere tornata grande. E’ nel finale che i piani di Ferrara vengono scombinati: Adailton raddrizza la gara dopo il vantaggio di Trezeguet nel primo tempo. E così finisce 1-1 all’Olimpico di Torino, con la squadra bianconera che consegna il primo posto in classifica alla “Sampdoro” di Del Neri (a +1) e permette all’Inter di far sentire con più insistenza il fiato sul collo (a -1). Contro gli emiliani, che hanno disputato un’ottima ripresa, la Juventus ha avuto il demerito di non chiudere la contesa al momento giusto. Infine i recuperati: Diego, in campo per oltre 50 minuti, ha disputato una buona a prova. Del Piero, entrato negli ultimi 11 minuti, non ha potuto festeggiare la 400esima partita in A con un successo.

Nel posticipo il Milan non va oltre lo 0-0 a San Siro contro il neopromosso Bari. I rossoneri non riescono mai a sfondare e devono ringraziare ancora una volta il portiere Storari, protagonista di almeno un paio di interventi decisivi.San Siro non ci sta: gli uomini di Leonardo escono tra i fischi del popolo rossonero. Gli applausi sono tutti per i ragazzi di Ventura, autori di un’ottima gara.

Male il Genoa. La squadra di Gasperini perde aderenza dalle primissime posizioni perdendo 2-0 ad Udine. Tanto per cambiare, è super-Di Natale a aprire le danze per i friulani. L’attaccante campano, leader della classifica marcatori, è all’ottavo sigillo in campionato. A due minuti dal termine arriva il raddoppio di Pepe.

Roma a sprazzi. La squadra di Ranieri è una bella incompiuta. Lo dice l’andamento della sua stagione, diove finora ha alternato prove entusiasmanti (vedi il 3-1 contro la Fiorentina) ad altre molto meno convincenti, come l’ultima contro il Catania. La partita contro i siciliani va in archivio con il risultato di 1-1. E’ il giapponese Morimoto a sbloccare nel primo tempo, mentre De Rossi riacciuffa il pari nel secondo minuto di recupero.

Il presidente De Laurentiis attacca, Donadoni risponde sul campo. Il tecnico del Napoli, criticato dal numero uno del club per risultati negativi finora racimolati, si riscatta e grazie alla doppietta di Hamsik trova il successo per 2-1 contro il Siena.

Battuta d’arresto per il Parma di Guidolin. Sesti in classifica, gli emiliani sono stati sconfitti 2-0 tra le mura domestiche del ‘Tardini’ dal Cagliari. Per i rossoblù, e soprattutto per il tecnico Allegri, una boccata d’ossigeno. Jeda e Dessena i marcatori.

Un autentico assedio nel finale. E’ così che la Lazio, all’Olimpico, conquista il pareggio contro il Palermo di Zenga e, nel finale, “rischia” addirittura di ribaltare il risultato. Cavani segna per gli ospiti al 75′. Ma subito dopo si scatena Zarate, che trova il pareggio al 40′. Di fuoco gli ultimi 5 minuti, con i biancocelesti sfiorano il vantaggio: un doppio miracolo di Sirigu su Rocchi e la pessima mira di Mauri che a porta vuota non trova il bersaglio, evitano la disfatta ai rosanero. Chiusa sull’1-1 anche Chievo-Atalanta. I gol nella ripresa. Tiribocchi porta avanti i nerazzurri, poi il consueto zampino di Pellissier.

You heard it here first: The Shops at Don Mills is a great place to meet successful chefs. Earlier this year, I checked out the new outdoor mall and stumbled upon celebrity chef Mark McEwan promoting his upscale grocery store. Then last week I was back at Lawrence and Don Mills — thanks to the launch of Joey Don Mills — and got a personal tour of the new 9,000-sq-ft restaurant by the Executive Chef himself, Chris Mills.

While I’d never heard of it before, the Joey Restaurant chain already has 18 locations and is well known on the west coast of Canada. As a broad reference point, I’d say it’s similar to Milestones in terms of the casual, contemporary vibe, but the decor is a definite step up. And based on what I tried at the media launch, the food is tastier, spicier and more exciting. Chris designed the menu by putting a unique twist on classic dishes and scouring the planet for some of his favourite ethnic dishes. He’s traveled to many different countries, including Japan, where he became one of the few Canadian chefs to ever appear on the Japanese version of Iron Chef. Here he describes what battling Morimoto in Kitchen Stadium is really like:

Despite his half-point loss on Iron Chef, Chris clearly knows how to use the right ingredients in the right way. The best thing I tried was the Panang Prawn Curry Bowl ($16.99, shown left) boasting red coconut curry cream with Thai basil and peanuts. Considering the menu is obviously westernized, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of kick contained in this dish and disappointed that I was only served a taster’s portion. I’d happily fork over my hard-earned cash for a full-sized version. The Bombay Butter Chicken ($16.99) comes with toasted almond basmati rice, grilled naan bread and lentil papadum. It wasn’t quite as spicy as I’d like, but it’s a valiant, flavourful effort.

The most highly-anticipated item was their infamous Lobster Grilled Cheese ($14.99). “We love to do twists on classics,” Chris explained. “Although I like rich and luxurious food, I also like simple and classic food.” Here he chose to remix the classic tuna melt, by switching out the tuna for Atlantic lobster. Rather than pairing it with a Kraft single, he uses brie and cheddar, which makes this one very decadent sandwich. Personally, I thought it could use more lobster (of course I did!), but I very much enjoyed the accompanying cocktail sauce for dipping instead of the expected ketchup. In comparison, the Ahi Tuna Tacos ($9.99) weren’t as exciting as their description: Seared rare tuna with sesame ginger coleslaw and wasabi-lime aioli. All those wonderful flavours got lost in the thick, crunchy shell.

In terms of ambiance, Joeys knows how to make an impact. The sweeping back-lit staircase is the first thing that catches your eye when you walk in. There’s a traditional sit-down restaurant to the right and a bar on the left with many flat-screen TVs for the rowdier crowd. Since there isn’t a traditional food court at the Shops of Don Mills, and a trip to neighbouring Jack Astor’s is one of my least favourite things to do on this planet, I’d definitely suggest popping into Joey Don Mills to find out what the west coast no longer has over us.

Joey Don Mills / 15 O’Neill Rd, Shops at Don Mills, Toronto
416-445-6391

In the 6th round of Serie A, the RedBlu offered the best performance this season so far but in the end were not able to go beyond a tie (1-1) against a disappointing Roma. The RedBlu started well with several offensive plays that resulted in the lead when Morimoto (photo) scored after 20 minutes. With the guests struggling, the RedBlu continued to attack in search of a key second goal but both Morimoto and Mascara were unable to find the net despite a couple of great chances. Unable to close the match, the guests found a lucky goal in injury time and an unexpected point. The RedBlu coached by Atzori are clearly growing but in the battle to avoid relegation it will be critical to getting wins and avoid keep losing points and conceding goals late in the second half which has happened too many times.

Un’inguardabile Roma ottiene un pareggio sul filo di lana contro il Catania, ancora alla ricerca della 1a. vittoria in serie A.
Comincia bene il Catania che mette sempre in difficoltà la difesa della Roma che durante il primo tempo perde sia Mexes sia Cassetti, al loro posto andranno Motta e Juan.
In attacco la Roma è sterile, a centrocampo è peggio. E il gol del Catania arriva con il solito Morimoto che segna sempre contro la Roma: da un angolo Potenza rimette al centro ma la palla si indirizza verso la porta con una direzione beffarda. Julio Sergio devia come può, la palla finisce sul palo, sbatte sulla schiena di Julio Sergio e Morimoto da due passi infila l’1-0. Azione rocambolesca che vale il meritato vantaggio.
Le uniche occasioni della Roma si vedono su calcio di punizione ma sono tiri piuttosto velleitari.
Nel secondo tempo è sempre il Catania a macinare gioco e azioni  che spesso vedono i compagni in fuorigioco. Alcuni non vengono segnalati e la Roma rischia molto.
La partita si inasprisce e un contatto tra Burdisso e Delvecchio scoppia quasi in rissa, con i giocatori del Catania che volevano l’espulsione del giallorosso (in  precedenza era stato ammonito per uno stop di petto tramutato in un fallo di mano!). Ma è ancora il Catania ad avere occasioni. La Roma ci prova ma l’ultimo affannato affondo non dà frutti. Almeno per l’arbitro mentre per il guardalinee è calcio d’angolo. Il Catania protesta, ma il calcio d’angolo sembra esserci (si tratta di millimetri). Dall’angolo sbuca un pallone che Totti calcia, Biagianti ci mette una mano (sarebbe un rigore nettissimo!!!), la palla finisce a De Rossi che con la coscia la infila per il pareggio tutto tranne che meritato. Il Catania si innervosice: Atzori (l’allenatore) calcia una bottiglia d’acqua, Delvecchio protesta e viene espulso, Mascara e compagni non vogliono più giocare. Infatti centrano la palla e non la batte nessuno. Saccani è alquanto imbarazzato ma dopo 2 minuti di stop il Catania riprende il gioco, palla al portiere, Totti va in pressing e la palla calciata da Andujar gli sbatte sulla schiena e la Roma va vicinissima al gol del vantaggio.
La partita finisce 2 minuti dopo tra le proteste dei tifosi.
Per la Roma un grande passo indietro rispetto alle ultime gare.

In the 5th round of Serie A, the RedBlu settled for a scoreless tie away from home against struggling Atalanta. The RedBlu created very few chances with Andujar actually called to save the results with a couple of key saves. Morimoto (photo) also had a couple of chances to score but he failed again to leverage them. Atzori’s team seemed overcome with the fear of losing and can only celebrate collecting another point, the second in 5 rounds. It will have to do much better if the RedBlu wish to avoid relegation this year.

Ci vorrebbe un Paolucci...

Pareggio a reti bianche e un punto per non far male a nessuno. Catania più cerebrale ma incapace di dettare legge.
Sembra una storia infinita da quando è iniziata la stagione 2009/10: bisogna decifrare, dopo un’attentissima e ponderatissima analisi, la prestazione dei rossazzurri. Poi, si sa, ognuno ha la propria chiave di lettura.
E così si creano le varie fazioni: chi rimane a dare fiducia al tecnico e alla società, chi vorrebbe la testa di Atzori, chi difende tutti a spada tratta, chi gufa pur essendo catanista. A voi la scelta.
Io mi sento di dire, con le parole più semplici, che a piccoli passi stiamo andando avanti. D’accordo, contro quell’ Atalanta sarebbe stato facile mettere in saccoccia i tre punti ma, visto l’andazzo dei “film” precedenti, accontentiamoci.
Colpevolizzare qualcuno? No, non credo sia il caso di prendersela col nostro “Takamoto” solo perchè non è abbastanza cattivo da buttar dentro due palloni facili. Un rigore non concesso? L’arbitraggio è stato scandaloso a prescindere e comunque ha penalizzato entrambe le squadre. Dunque parità, in tutti i sensi.
Atzori sta solo pagando (insieme a tutti noi) delle sviste tecniche dovute alla scarsa esperienza nel massimo campionato. Punto (non tocca a me cacciarlo o confermarlo).
Ma qualcosa mi dice che molto presto questa aria malsana cambierà. Mi riferisco al nauseabondo odore emanato dalla bassa classifica.
D’altronde, a voler essere obiettivi, questo è un campionato più strano che lo scorso anno: 12 squadre racchiuse in un “raggio” di 5 miseri punti.
E fra queste c’è il Milan, la Lazio, la Roma, il Palermo (candidato allo scudetto, secondo Zenga), il Napoli, il Cagliari che lo scorso anno sfiorò l’ipotesi Europa League.
Sono tutte squadre i cui allenatori dovrebbero essere esonerati? Rispondo a me stesso: non tutte.
Se poi vogliamo essere pignoli e minuziosi, ricordiamoci che abbiamo iniziato il campionato con una gara in casa contro la Sampdoria (ben diversa da quella dello scorso anno) e due in trasferta contro Parma e Udinese (da notare il mercato del Parma e la posizione in classifica nonchè le “scoppole” date a Lazio e Palermo).
E ancora, se non ricordo male, la scorsa stagione inanellammo tre punti nelle ultime sei giornate. Magari stiamo facendo un po’ di “beneficenza al contrario” e nessuno se n’è accorto.
Dunque, cosa manca? Il nostro mercato è stato fallimentare? Non credo proprio, considerando che a breve riavremo Ledesma a ricreare il gioco, poi anche Barrientos.
Già, quel Barrientos di cui ci viene ancora nascosta la verità, se e quando recupererà. Ma noi sappiamo aspettare. Almeno per altre 2-3 partite, giusto?
E intanto pensiamo, giustamente, se a gennaio verrà eseguita almeno quell’importante operazione di mercato che ci porterà un attaccante purosangue in rossazzurro. Magari in stile “Paolucci”.
Con due punti in classifica in cinque giornate non bisogna poi essere così pessimisti. Domenica arriverà la Roma e allora vedremo davvero il cuore e la forza di questo gruppo.

Title: Atashi-tachi no Story — Aiko no Tanjoubi no Puresento
Disclaimer: Masih pada masing-masing pihak agent yang berwenang
Genre: Family lah… *waratte*
Current Mood: Ngantuukk…
Current Song: Love so Sweet – ARASHI
Location: Home, Yokohama desu… ^^

==============================

Atashi-tachi no Kazoku

Pagi ini seperti biasanya. Aiko bangun duluan dan menyiapkan makanan, sedang sang suami, Kengo menunggu masakan matang sambil membaca koran ekonomi paginya. Sang anak bungsu yang sudah siap sedia dengan seragam SMP St Rudolph-nya pun dengan anteng memainkan game ‘Fallout 3‘ terbarunya (hasil hadiah ulang tahun kemarin setelah memasang puppy eyes terhadap pamannya, Matsun)

Seperti biasa juga terdengar suara ‘GEDEBRAK-GEDEBRUK’ dari lantai dua. Tandanya, Hime-cchi — calon menantu, sedang sibuk membangunkan sang tunangan, Kanata yang sedang asyik tertidur lelap.

“Mah…” panggil si anak bungsu.
Namun Aiko malah bengong. Entah memikirkan apa.
“Maahh…” suaranya pun mulai meninggi.
Masih, Aiko terdiam dengan sepiring roti ditangannya.
“Mamah…” sampai sang suami pun ikut-ikutan memanggilnya.
“Mah…” Ryuu tetap dengan tinggi suaranya yang demikian.

“Mamah!! Aku Lappeeerr~!!” datanglah teriakan tak diundang, si putra sulung, yang berhasil membuyarkan lamunannya.

“Eh!! Iya? Apa??” semua yang ada di dalam dapur pun langsung menghentikan aktifitasnya. Tak terkecuali tonggeret yang sedang asyik bernyanyi pun ikut berhenti.

“Eh, iya… ada apa Ryuu??” tanyanya sambil menaruh sarapan khusus anak bungsunya itu.
Ryuu, Kengo, Kanata, bahkan Hime pun memasang wajah tak mengerti.

“Mana bentou ku??” tanyanya dengan suara pelan.
Aiko pun jadi salah tingkah, “Oh iya! Ini!” diulurkannyalah bekal tersebut.
Ryuu menatap bentounya tak mengerti, “Mamah ngantuk? Apa ada masalah??”
“He?” Aiko yang kini memasang wajah tak mengerti.
“Ini bentou Kanata-nii. Bentou-ku kan isinya telur gulung…” keluh Ryuu.
“Oh, maafkan mamah!” seperti baru terbangun dari tidurnya, Aiko pun langsung tersadar.

———————————–

“Mah….” giliran Kengo yang memanggil Istrinya.
Namun, si istri malah mematung di hadapannya sambil terus memegangi jas dan tas sang suami.
“Maahhh…”
“……”
“Aiko-chan…”
“Eh, Iya?” Itu pun masih gak ‘konek’
“Jas’nya sini-in donk, papah mau berangkat,”
“Oh, iya…” Aiko pun menyerahkan seperangkat kebutuhan sang suami.

Tanpa sengaja, terjatuhlah selembar tiket pesawat. Namun tampaknya, Kengo tak menyadarinya. Perasaan Aiko campur aduk anatar menyerahkan tiket sepenting itu pada sang suami, ataukah tidak memberikannya yang dengan kata lain, menahan sang suami malam ini tanpa perjalanan luar kota-nya.

“Pah… Tiketnya jatuh…” gumam Aiko sambil berlutut mengambilnya.
Kengo mengernyitkan kedua alisnya saat sang istri menyerahkan selembar kertas tersebut.

“Tumben sekali kau memanggilku ‘Pah’ saat tidak di hadapan anak-anak??” tanyanya sambil memasukkan tiket tersebut ke dalam kantung jas nya.

“Ah… iyah… mamah lupa…”
Kengo makin memasang wajah tak mengerti.
“Jaa… kalau begitu… hati-hati di jalan yaa…” ujarnya lalu langsung masuk ke dalam rumah mungil mereka.

“Tumben sekali dia tidak minta ciuman perpisahan seperti biasanya?” Kengo bergumam mesum sambil melongok ke dalam melalui celah jendela.

“Mungkin bukan rezekinya…” desahnya yang sejujurnya hampa juga melihat sang Istri tak seperti biasanya.

—————————

Sebenarnya, Aiko melamun bukan tanpa sebab. Hari ini, adalah hari ulang tahunnya. Namun… Tidak ada satu orang pun di rumah yang sadar akan tanggal 18 September ini.

Berawal dari percakapan dengan sang suami tadi malam.

“Pah… ” panggilnya mesra saat Kengo sedang asyik membaca buku.
“Um…??” jawabnya tanpa menoleh.
“Besok,…..”

Namun terlambat. Ponsel FOMA SH905i milik sang suami berdering.
“Ya?” dijawablah penggilan tersebut.

Aiko hanya bisa menunggu untuk mengatakan hal selanjutnya di sisi Kengo.

“Oh, ya, besoknya terbang ke Kagoshima,”

Mendengar percakapan tersebut, urung-lah Aiko untuk mengajak sang suami makan bersama dengan keluarga kecilnya di hari ulang tahunnya.

“Ya, ada apa, Aiko-chan?” tanyanya seusai menutup teleponnya.
“Ah, tidak apa-apa…” senyumnya, “Lebih baik, Ken-Ken tidur saja. besok, harus terbang ke Kagoshima, kan??”

————————–

Yang ada, kini Aiko malah uring-uringan seperti kejadian Ulang Tahun Ryuu kemarin. Namun kali ini tidak terlalu parah, karena Matsun — si adik ipar, sedang tidak berkunjung. Jadi, tidak ada lagi yang bisa Aiko jadikan pelampiasan selain Daigoro.

“Aku pulaangg~” Aiko sudah terbiasa mendengar suara si sulung setiap jam 3 sore. Kalau si bungsu, pasti sedang asyik mengikuti klub sampai senja.

“Okaeri…” jawabnya lembut.
“Mah, ini, daun bawang dan lobak yang Mama minta,” ujar Kanata sambil menyerahkan sekantung belanjaan permintaan Mama-nya.

Aiko terpaku sejenak, “emang Mama minta Ka-chan belanja ya??” senyumnya polos yang sebenarnya tak mengerti.

Kanata mendesah, “Ah… Mama… Padahal tadi di jalan Kanata udah malu setengah mati bawa-bawa ini belanjaan…” Kanata pun ngambek dan masuk ke dalam kamarnya yang ada di lantai dua.

Aiko pun tidak enak hati terhadap si sulung. Namun, tiba-tiba saja terlintas dalam benak Aiko

Oia! Tissue toilet, habis!!

Namun, sekali lagi, Ia urungkan niat untuk menyuruh Kanata lagi untuk pergi ke toko swalayan.

Baiklah, kali ini, biar aku saja yang pergi… desahnya sambil mengambil dompetnya.

“Ka-chaann~ Mama pergi dulu yaaa~” teriaknya dari dapur yang dekat tangga menuju lantai atas, “Kalau lapar, masih ada Miso dan Sashimi di atas me….”

tampaklah meja makan yang sudah bersih…

“Hh… Tolong telpon Ryuu. Biar dia makan diluar saja karena sepertinya ada mesin penyedot yang menghabiskan seisi meja makan,” sindirnya.

————————————

Ahh.. sebaiknya aku saja yang merayakannya sendirian… desahnya saat berada di dalam kereta. Kebetulan, ada sedikit uang sisa gajian sang suami bulan lalu.

Ahh… baiklah… ke pusat perbelanjaan Kanagawa!! serunya dalam hati.

Kereta tujuan Shibuya – Tokyo, telah sampai. Para penumpang, di persilahkan turun…

Whatt Theee??!! Tokyooo??!! Jadi? Gue nyasar, doonkk??!!

————————————

Akhirnya, Aiko dapat kembali ke Yokohama pada malam harinya. Sudah terhitung telat karena Aiko nyasar ke Shibuya yang notabene tempat perbelanjaan. Bukannya langsung pulang, malah berniat muter-muter dulu.

Yang ada, malah dapet capek. Karena harga tiket kereta executive yang terpaksa Aiko beli karena tiket kereta reguler-nya sudah habis, sama dengan separuh sisa gaji Kengo.

Lebih baik, sisanya kubelikan sesuatu untuk Ryuu dan Ka-chan. Mungkin Hime-cchi dan Matsun. Jika mereka datang ke rumah… pikirnya sambil memandangi dompetnya yang sudah ramping.

“Aku pulang…” desahnya sambil melewati pintu rumahnya.

Seketika itu juga…

~Flop!!~

“Otanjoubi Omodettou Gozaimasu, Aiko-chaaann~”

Tampaklah Kengo dihadapan Aiko. Aiko cengok. Rambutnya kuyup sama pita warna-warni dan hujan kertas crep, “Ken-Ken??” ucapnya tak mengerti.

Tak butuh waktu lama untuk membuat yang lain nongol dari balik tembok, “Oh, Okaa-san sudah pulang?? Otanjoubi Omodettou~” ucap Hime-cchi sembari memeluk calon mama mertuanya ini *ojo lebay deh… *

Semua anggota keluarga kecilnya pun memeluk dirinya hangat.
“Kami tunggu di ruang makan yaaa….” dan mereka pun pergi meninggalkan Aiko dengan sang suami.

“Kengo? Ku kira kau tidak ingat hari ulang tahunku…” isaknya.
“Mana mungkin aku lupa…” goda Kengo sambil mencubit pipi sang istri.
“Buktinya~ Kau malah pergi ke Kagoshima!”
“Siapa bilang aku yang pergi??” Senyumnya meledek.

“Okaaa-chaaann~!!” baru aja mau mesra-mesraan, sang calon menantu sudah teriak. Bisa dibayangkan kalo Kengo cengok jadinya ditinggal sang istri gitu aja.

“Naze, Hime-cchi??!!” tanyanya panik.
“Okaa-chaan~” tunjuknya ke meja makan.

Terlihatlah Cake ultah 3 tingkat buatan menantunya udah bersih-sih-sih-siiihh~ oleh si putra sulung, Kanata.

Aiko cuma bisa menarik nafas super panjang.
Pikirannya entah kemana. Mana uang yang Ia pegang cuma cukup buat beli sedikit makanan.

“Mah, kan masih ada daun bawang sama lobak yang tadi siang Kanata beli…” usulnya tanpa dosa.

— Brukkkhh~!!

———————Owari———————

Dedicated for:

• Aiko, yang sudah genap 150 tahun~ *waratte* Nggak bercanda. Jadilah mama yang baik bagi anak-anakmu nanti ya, Ko… Jadilah istri yang sabar menghadapi kelakuan ajaib suamimu…
• Hime-cchi…
  Aishiteruu~!! Gak bisa diungkapkan dengan kata-kata, maka… akan kuungkapkan dengan Ka-chan!! *digaplok*

Cari amici e nemici,
ora che si è chiuso il calciomercato, mi sento di segnalare alcuni giocatori che potrebbero essere molto utili per le vostre fantasquadre.
Adrian Ricchiuti, dopo tanti anni finalmente ce l’ha fatta a conquistare la serie A. Infatti l’ex ‘pibe de Rimini‘ è stato acquistato dal Catania, dove domenica scorsa ha debuttato con un bel 6,5 in pagella, anche se la sua squadra è stata sconfitta. Per chi non lo conoscesse si tratta di un centrocampista avanzato molto bravo tecnicamente.

Il secondo nome che vi propongo è Candreva del Livorno, anche lui lo trovate nella lista dei centrocampisti. L’ho visto per la prima volta domenica scorsa nella sfida del suo Livorno a Napoli. E’ stato fra i migliori in campo, dimostrandosi un giocatore molto interessante, dal dribbling facile e con un gran tiro dalla distanza. Tenetelo d’occhio perchè di questo ragazzo ne sentirete parlare presto.
Nelle ultime ore di mercato è arrivato anche un giocatore che personalmente stimo molto come Nicola Pozzi, ex attaccante dell’Empoli ora in forza alla Sampdoria, che ovviamente parte come alternativa sia a Pazzini che a Cassano, però in caso di infortunio di uno dei due è uno da prendere in considerazione perchè i gol li fa da sempre.

Molti altri giocatori da segnalare ce ne sarebbero, ma mi limiterò a scriverne ancora un paio come Matuzalem, che ormai di fatto è diventato un trequartista con Mister Ballardini, Semioli della Sampdoria, uno dal rendimento sicuro e che porta parecchi assist, infine Savio appena acquistato dalla Fiorentina, che l’anno scorso a Brescia ha impressionato molto.

Articoli correlati:
Fantacalcio 2009/2010, consigli per gli acquisiti – I parte

Ti è piaciuto il Markus Blog? Vuoi rimanere aggiornato sui nuovi articoli? Abbonati ai feed:

Markus Blog
Sawa
Calcio

]]> http://news.xfm951.com/2009/09/02/fergie-a-fan-of-morimoto/ Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:29:33 +0000 omari123 http://news.xfm951.com/2009/09/02/fergie-a-fan-of-morimoto/ http://aikonokotoba.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/samui-deshita/ Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:04:44 +0000 Aiko-chan http://aikonokotoba.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/samui-deshita/

find the 4-leaf clover please...

Page ene. Gak biasanya, Aiko rajin. Mandi pagi plus berdandan pun dijalaninya secepat kilat. Namun, hal yang paling membahagiakan adalah…

PAGI YANG MENDUNG!

Nggak tau kenapa, Aiko seneng banget sama pagi yang demikian. Selain gak panas, juga dingin*ya iyalah goblok*

Disamping itu, Aiko bisa memikirkan hal tentang blognya lebih jernih.

Seperti pagi ini, pemikiran Aiko adalah tentang… Banyak hal!

Dimulai denga~n Yagami Len! Karena smalem udah keburu ngantuk, mencak-mencak cowok tampan ini pun disimpan untuk pagi ini.

Iku ze!

Dalam cerita eps. 5, Nogi-sensei pada akhirnya pun membantu operasi bersama Teru-sensei dan Shinomiya-sensei.

Dapat di tebak kalo Aiko guling-guling gaje. Sehabis itu, terlihatlah adegan para dokter itu beristirahat. Disaat yang lain duduk kelelahan, Nogi-sensei malah terlentang dengan pasrah. Inilah yang membuat Aiko mimisan dan pingsan akibat kehabisan darah.

Saat bangun pun, rambutnya yang acak-acakan pun menyentuh kalbu Aiko yang pali~ng dalam *ce’ile~h*

Namun sayang sejuta sayang.. Beberapa detik lewat dari adegan itu, Nogi Kunihiko-sensei malah pergi ke Rumah Sakit lain yang sebelumnya didahului oleh MANABU.

Kesel banget gue sama dia. Gak tau kenapa, males aja liat wajahnya. Diperankan oleh Araki Hirofumi yang emang dari dulu udah saya masukkan ke daftar “ORANG YANG INGIN SEKALI KUTENDANG JAUH-JAUH”

Lalu, beberapa adegan lewat, dan nampaklah Nogi-sensei dengan si Manabu.

Kesalnya Aiko terhadap orang itu karena pergi dari Valhala begitu saja memuncak saat mereka berusaha menyeret mereka keluar.

Walau kesel, demo….

“Len-Len~!! Mengapa mesti dirimuu~!! Jika begini akhirnya, aku tidak akan pernah mencintai mu,” *kejer*

Sugi wa.. Yasuda-sensei, desu!

Awal pertemuan Koko dengan opah Watabe, itu terjadi saat pria ini memerankan si direktur ‘Yasuda Memorial Hospital’ yang botak itu.

Walo rada nyeleneh dan berkelakuan ajaib, namun bagi Aiko, dialah pemilik peran terbaik.

Terlebih saat Valhala menghadapi krisis yang menyulitkan posisinya sebagai direktur. Matanya yang berkaca-kaca, berhasil membuat Aiko nangis bombay. Terlebih saat ia harus membungkuk memohon demi kembalinya anak-anak buahnya.
Ojii-chaa~n… Hikz… Hikz… (“TAT)

Hhh… Godhand Teru wa Saiko de!!

Oke, ganti topik pembicaraan.

Dalam perjalanan pulang tadi, Aiko bertemu dengan sepasang anak cowok yang imoedh nya gak ketolongan! Mirip Ryuu sm Kanata! >A< Oh, no~o tweet tekalee.

Sang kakak yang baru kelas 4 sangat merefleksikan Kanata dan sang adik yang masih kelas 2 SD yg tampangnya, ‘Ryuu-chan banget’.

Ai~ai kawaii naa~a…

Sempat sebentar Koko berbincang-bincang dengan mereka. Ternyata.. Mereka tinggal tidak jauh dari tempat Aiko!

Hikz… Hikz… Mimpi apa saya bertemu dengan cowok manis seperti mereka… Tinggal nunggu si Papah nih… *waratte*

————————-

Saat sedang menulis artikel ini, rumah Aiko diserang GEMPAA~!! Tunggang-langganglah Aiko keluar. Gileee… 7,3 scala richter, bo~ ape aye kagak pusing tuh… =_=

Karena khawatir, Chichi-ue pun menelpon Obaa-chan di kampung.

Chichi-ue pun langsung menelpon Obaa-chan…
C: Ibu, td gempa pada lari nggak?
O: Iya pada lari…
C: Ibu lari?
O: nggak. tengkurep ajah di tempat tidur…
C: Kenapa??
O: Takut terbaaanngg~

Sekian diary gaje ini.

~OWARI~

Ancora una sconfitta per il Catania questa volta a Parma. Sfortunata la squadra di Atzori che ha dovuto fare a meno di Martinez, Morimoto e Capuano.

In the first match of the Seria A 2009-10 season, the RedBlu headed by new coach Atzori disappointed expectations by losing at home (1-2) to Sampdoria. The guests started well and quickly found the lead after nine minutes with the RedBlu struggling to find their footing and to create chances on goal. In the 38th minute however Morimoto (photo) was quick to find the net and tie the match. In the second half both teams slowed down and seemed headed for a tie until Augustyn was red carded allowing the guest to press and ultimately find the winning goal in injury time. Atzori has its work cut out and in a tough season losing points at home will be very dangerous over the long term.