Weekly Menu 2/9 - 2/13/09 & Moto-i

Minneapolis recently saw the opening of a sake brew pub called Moto-i, apparently it is the only sake brew pub outside of Japan. Well, Matt & I are big fans of sake so we had to go try it out. It was reasonably busy for a Saturday night but we had no problem getting a table right away without reservations. I was surprised at how many people were drinking beer instead of sake.

We ordered the sake flight of the three sakes they brew on site & really enjoyed them all plus the $12 price seemed really reasonable. As for the food Moto-i serves Asian inspired small plates & snacks to eat with alcohol. We ordered a few things to share; taro shoestrings, hosin pork buns, pulled chicken buns, chef's choice vegetable tempura & chinese fried noodles. Everything was really tasty, the pork buns were amazing, enough so that we each ordered a second. Matt couldn't stop raving about the chinese fried noodles full of black fungus, chicken & tofu. The thing that really threw us though was the tempura, we knew it was a small plate but we got 4 slices of zucchini for $5?! We both thought it was a total rip-off. Everything else seemed pretty well priced with the buns at $3 each & a big bowl of noodles for $9. We mentioned it to our waitress & her response was that we were making out good because the buns were such a good value. What?! Because one item is well priced they can over charge for another?

We decided to order a dessert & went with 4 donuts seasoned with sugar & five spice powder for $4. They are served hot & reminded me a lot of beignets. All & all, we'd go back to Moto-i though we wouldn't order the tempura again. Also we wouldn't order the sake fight as now we know which of their sakes we each like best.

Ok on to Menu Planning Monday...

My mom is having a big birthday this week, one that ends with a 0, so I'll be flying to Memphis to spend some time with her. That means I'll only be making meals on Monday & Friday. Matt is on his own the rest of the week.

Crockpot Porchetta - Matt has been asking me to make this again. He'll have leftovers to eat later in the week.
Spaghetti & Meatballs - Using some of the meatballs we have in the freezer leftover from meatball sandwiches.

This weekend we are giving ourselves a little staycation at a downtown hotel with some hotel points we saved up. Valentine's dinner will be a tasting dinner at Porter & Frye.