Children of the Mind by O.S. Card

Children of the Mind by Orson Scott Card (4th book in the Ender Series)

If you have read any of the posts about books on my blog you already know that I divide books based on how they feed my brain.  There are the brain Candy books that are just fun to read but require little digestive effort; the Light Snacks that give you a little taste and require a little bit of brain digestion; Meals for the Mind that are full of thought and sustenance to feed your brain knowledge and insight.... Then there are books that are just hard to digest- the 7 course meal of the literary world.  The Ender series by Orson Scott Card has gone back and forth between the last two categories and this last installment was the perfect 7 course meal of books to wrap up the story lines.

Some may think that these types of books are daunting, and often they are.  In my modest opinion most of the books that fall into this category are the classics that you almost have to force yourself to finish.  However, with Card there is an easy prose style that makes you want to keep reading.  He created beautiful characters that embody all of the characteristics that we hope (or wish) we had, as well as all of those characteristics we fear lie just beneath the surface.  His understanding of the foibles and struggles of the human mind burst forth in an allegorical story line that push our moral, ethical and political consciousness to a new level. 

This is a book that challenges the reader to think and examine the world in which they live from a safe distance.  The book allows for questioning of all beliefs in a safe distant false reality that feels all to real while reading.  Though the heart of the book seems to be this moral, ethical, political dilemma that everyone must face at some point of their existence; it is the over arching theme of communication and knowledge that, for lack of a better phrase, slaps you across the face in the last few pages.  

This book series is marketed as young adult literature; however, this is also one of those books that as your knowledge and ideals grow over your life, so will the things you take away from this series. Yes, this is a book series that teens would enjoy; but, it is also a book series that warrants rereading, revisiting, re-digesting at different points in your life.  Although I did not read these books until I was much older, I doubt my teenage self would have had the full appreciation of the subtlety that Card uses to probe grey areas of the age old question of right and wrong. 

This is a book series I recommend to everyone.  Even if you are not a Science Fiction fan, at its heart it is a book that dolefully explores the reality of our human existence in a way that is meaningful, life affirming, and sustaining of deep thought.

• Series: The Ender Quintet (Book 4)
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tor Science Fiction (June 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812522397
• ISBN-13: 978-0812522396

Ad Astra, Strong City, Ks

Anyone who says that small towns are dying out has not been on Cottonwood Street in Strong City, Kansas on a weekend evening.  This small town has seen a boom in the local traffic on weekends thanks to the opening of a superb local eatery called Ad Astra.  This wonderful little establishment has found a niche that some might find surprising.  The intriguing menu is full to bursting with locally raised products, many of which are organically raised.  This is not a mom and pop restaurant, a small town diner, nor a fancy eatery.  This is a unique blend of the feel and tastes of all of these styles rolled into one.  It is a small building and reservations are a must!  The popularity of this Flint Hills treasure has made it a destination spot for many foodies.

On a recent visit I was able to try out some new delectable dishes that were wonderful. Started off with a Goat Cheese, Fig Jam and Caramelized onion Flat-bread Pizza starter. This dish was sweet enough to be a dessert pizza.  The flavors melt seamlessly into each other much the way they melt over the light flat bread crust.  For me it would be too sweet to eat solo or as a meal substitute, but to share as an appetizer OR dessert works perfectly.  This dish is a hit on the menu.   

Another starter are the Wings which have become an American staple on many menus.  Why these are better lies in the size and taste of the product.  The cooks prepare the sizable wing portions with a nice sauce that glazes perfectly.  The overall flavor is great in that way that it is balanced so that it is not a bland experience, nor is it a clear out the sinuses. 

For the main meal it was the Spicy Slaw Burger on a Pretzel Bun with homemade chips that called my name.  For burger lovers, this restaurant offers some great flavor combos and selection of the type of patty- beef, longhorn, or bison.  For this visit I selected the longhorn patty.  This burger had a nice juicy flavor and the crisp crunch of the slaw was fabulous.  This burger was a hit.  The chips are really good as well, but they can be a little dry.  Would love to see this establishment add a unique sauce to go with their chips.

To be honest, this restaurant is always a hit with me.  The menu variety meets the need of most any craving and the nightly specials only enhance that fact.  The wait staff is friendly and although busy, tend to do a good job taking care of guests without making them feel rushed.  The interior is kitschy with a wonderful homey feel that encourages conversation and enjoyment.  Some weekend, if you find yourself heading to the Flint Hills area of Kansas, take the time to call ahead to Ad Astra for a reservation (if they can get you in) for a relaxing and tasty dining experience.  Remember- they are only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!    

For more information click here http://www.adastrafood-drink.com/

Olpe Chicken House; Olpe, Ks

The Olpe Chicken House has long been a treasure of the small Kansas town located on Highway 99 south of Emporia.  It is also a beloved destination for the surrounding area residents for nice, hot meal that has not been changed or influenced by trends in food or cuisine.   This diner that was established in 1958 has long been a favorite of many family and friends.  There are many reasons to love this small town treasure and the food is just one of them.

The menu has not changed much over the years.  Occasionally there might be a new addition but mostly this menu has stayed consistent through, at least, the last 25 years.  Dinners always come with tea or coffee, rolls, salad, and potato choice (baked, hashbrowns or fries- with or without gravy ~mashed available on select days/times only).  These are heart meals like grandma used to make.  The restaurant is best known for the Fried Chicken (which is delicious) but you can also get the Whole Catfish (yes head and all) option which is also quite tasty.  What is it that makes this place so good?  Well that is a question that has long been debated among regulars.  Some say that it is because they are using the same recipes they did back in 1958; others say it is the seasoned equipment that has been in that kitchen since the 70's (the restaurant burned to the ground in the 70's and was rebuilt).  What ever the reason- fans of this diner are as die hard about it as any sports fan out there. 

Now on to the food from this visit.  My family has a bit of a tradition addiction in general and when we dine at the Chicken House, there is a tradition to our ordering.  We are big fans of the appetizers that are offered at the Chicken House.   On this visit we limited ourselves to three because there were only 5 adults dining (this is conservative for us).  On the left are the ever popular Cheddar Crisps, in the center the unique Onion Rings, and on the right Fried Okra.  I have always agreed with Joey from "Friends" that the best food group is fried stuff with cheese.  The Cheddar Crisps are the right size to pop in your mouth and enjoy (though they are usually quite hot when they arrive, so caution on that).   The Onion Rings are not your typical solid breaded number, rather these are very thinly sliced onion rings in a really delicious thin batter that are then fried to a perfect golden complexion.  The Fried Okra is a staple from the farms of the area and is a delicious treat.

There is something about the salads at the Chicken House, there is a very unique flavor that you don't find with most house salads.  The lettuce and cabbage are very finely chopped with thinly sliced carrots on top.  our family is split on the perfect dressing as some like Dorothy Lynch and others the Creamy Italian (pictured here); personally I like the vinegar and oil option.

Over the years I have learned the hard way about our family tradition of ordering several fried appetizers.  I used to order the Chicken Fried Steak diner with gravy covered hash-browns when I was younger and could eat that much.  These days I have learned to opt for a liter finish to the meal.  My favorite is a bowl of Cottage cheese and a BLT.  This combo is a perfect way to balance out the grease laden first course yet still have a bit greasy goodness with the bacon.  The toasted bread is layered with fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, a small dab of real mayonnaise, and perfectly cooked bacon.  This is a common order and it has never been anything less than perfectly prepared.  The cottage cheese is a nice counter flavor to all of the grease.   

There are a lot of reasons that could account for the success of and love for the Olpe Chicken House.  Personally, I believe that it is the loyalty of the staff and the highly respected family that has run it through the years.  In the 25+ years that I have been going to the Olpe Chicken House, the faces that have waited on me have been significantly fewer in number than you would expect.  Many of the staff are veterans of the food service industry that have been there for a long time.  That is a phenomenon you do not see very often in food service.  After working in that industry for many of my early years I found myself saying "If you really want to know if a restaurant is good, pay attention to the wait staff. Do they eat there? Do they want to stay there?"  This will tell you more accurately than any review is the place is a winner.  Evidently the Chicken House is.

Generally you are going to spend $10-15 dollars per person and it is well worth it!

http://olpechickenhouse.com/

Taco Republic Kansas City, Ks

Look out Oklahoma Joe's there is a new kid on the block.... but you may not have to pay too close attention.  Taco Republic, a well known food truck in the KC metro area, recently opened a permanent location right across the street from the original Ok Joe's location, 47th and Mission Road.   This new hip restaurant has been creating a bit of a stir in the neighborhood surrounding it and not always in a positive way.  The location selection may be ideal considering that it is directly in eyesight of an established BBQ joint that rarely has a slow night.  There is the potential to draw away potential customers that are stuck in a long line of fellow BBQ hounds.... but it will likely only happen once.   The restaurant is brightly painted and has fold away exterior walls allowing for an open air dining experience- too bad winter in Kansas is coming on fast, heat bills will likely be high.  

All that aside- it is really the food that matters. Granted the restaurant has only been open a few weeks.  The benefits of that fact is they have more wait staff than they will actually need, so service is pretty prompt and generally friendly.  Down side is the food has likely not yet hit a consistency and the over populated wait staff want to turn over tables quickly so they can make more money.  Stopped for a late lunch around 1:00 pm but there was still a pretty good crowd (fighting for a "legal" parking space).

A standard in many Mexican or even Tex-Mex restaurants are the Chips and Salsa that come with your meals.  This is available but must be requested and is actually a menu item at $2.  This is not that odd considering they are going for a higher end feel.  The rojo sauce (their salsa) is a finely pureed version that had a decent spice to it.  The chips were a bit on the greasy side and were a mix of flat tortilla and puffed tortilla chips (there were also a few pork rind crumbles in the bottom of the basket). 

There are several menu options to select from but of course it is the tacos that the restaurant wants to be known for.  A positive aspect of the menu selection is that there are many gluten free tacos available for those with this particular dietary restriction.  So the tacos that were sampled were the "Old School" ground beef taco (both baskets), the "Mole" chicken taco (left) and the "Feliz" chicken taco (right).  

The "Old School" taco had a nice flavor to it.  There was no strong overwhelming spice or pepper taste, just a blend of the ingredients that worked nicely with each other.  The "Mole" was disappointing as a taco.  The combination of chipolte slaw, grilled chicken and mole sauce seemed like a good pick for a slightly spicy kick.  However, this was very bland and the flavors did not work very well together.  The "Feliz" however did have a nice kick to it that was not overpowering in spice.  If you like really spicy food then opt for some different selections and none of these were, what most would consider, "spicy".   

Again, its the hip NEW restaurant to check out and hopefully the balance of a strong consistent dining experience will set in- but it is not there yet.  Service was good, parking was a pain, food was ok.  Tacos are priced out individually so if you are hungry, take that into consideration.  Can have two tacos, chips and salsa for abut $10 per person.   

http://eattacorepublic.com/

The Falls by J.C. Oates

The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates

If you were a fan of We Were the Mulvaneys, then this is a book that you will also like. To be honest, I am not a big fan of Oates' prose style and have a hard time connecting with her characters.  Although this book borders on a Meal for the Mind, it was more just a Light Snack for the Brain.   

The setting of her book is an interesting historical element.  Based in the Niagara Falls area, it delves into the Love Canal crisis before it actually made front page news in the 70's.  This story line element is what almost pushed it into a meal for the mind, but alas that part was never a focus or fully developed question for the reader so it fell short.

What she does develop is a lost and guarded woman who in fact remains guarded even to the reader, who has a life of tragedy in some ways and extreme happiness that she can never seem to be content with.  This is a waiting for the other shoe to drop kind of female lead.  Throughout the book there are a host of loose story lines that never seem to go anywhere; as well as story lines that are developed but don't seem to tie into the main story.  

This maybe what some readers connect with however.  Oates seems to create these family dynamics and characters that are like people we know with flaws and issues.  Like those friends, neighbors, co-workers, we seem to only get to know some aspects of the characters and never really feel fully tied to them.  The story lines too are like life, messy and complicated, and she never pretends to tie everything up in neat bow at the end of the books.  

It was an okay read. I was compelled to finish the book even though I never felt fully vested in the characters or the outcome.  However, if you are a fan of her particular writing style (which is very unique) then this is a book you might want to pick up at your local library.

• Series: P.S.
• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (August 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060722290
• ASIN: B005DIAE9G

Vending Machines Okinawa, Japan

VENDING MACHINE BEVERAGES IN OKINAWA JAPAN

So I recently traveled to Okinawa, Japan and although this is not what I would typically include on this blog, I was fascinated by the vending machine options I encountered.  Vending machines are a big thing in Okinawa; in fact, you can hardly travel two blocks without passing one.  Even out in the middle of the farming areas, you will find (see) a lone vending machine waiting to be used.   Often the vending machines are paired- a Coca-cola machine that has more "American friendly" beverages and a second machine that offers more native beverages.  Sometimes these machines offer both hot and cold drinks.  As the temperature was a humid 80+ on the days we were there, I stuck mostly to the cool drinks.  

Often as I selected my beverages I had no idea what they were called, but most bottles could be deciphered based on the pictures used on the labeling.   I am an adventurous one, so I tried a little bit of everything. Some were really tasty and some did not have the best taste, but were none the less refreshing on a hot day and quenched my thirst.

The left hand picture is of a sparkling peach soda.  Very similar to flavor sparkling waters in the states, it had a light refreshing taste with an interesting combination of tart and sweet aftertaste.   The picture on the right is one of many green tea options.  This is particular one is a straight chilled green tea that taste like many green teas I have had in the states.  If you enjoy green tea in general, as I do, this was a good option.

                     

The left hand picture is of another tea option but not one I would recommend to anyone who does not drink a variety of tea flavors.  This is a flower infused tea (jasmine or hibiscus maybe) and one might say it smells like sweaty socks.  It does not have the most pleasant flavor, yet on a hot day I found it more thirst quenching than some of the other drinks I tried.  The beverage on the right is actually a Coke-cola product that I really liked (I actually selected this beverage several times on the trip especially after I caught a cold).  The C.C. Lemon is exactly what it seems like.  I high vitamin C, carbonated lemonade.  It was tart with a nice bubble tanginess that I really enjoyed.

                

 The next two are fruit based beverages.  The one on the left is a green apple infused beverage that is crisp and very tart.  I tend to prefer tart drinks over sweet so I liked this one quite a bit.  The one on the right is a cherry infused beverage.  This one was actually one of the sweetest beverages I had while over there.  Most of the drinks are lower in sugar than many states (in fact there are not "diet" drinks although you can find Pepsi Max and Coke Zero- that is about it).   This one was a bit too sweet for me but it had a really nice cherry flavor and was a big hit with younger audiences.

               

The last two are again tea based.  The one on the left I believe was a honey and lemon version and was really quite tasty.  The one on the right was a coffee infused tea that was pretty strong in flavor, but I really liked it.  If you enjoy both coffee and tea in general, this would probably be a good selection.  I also really liked the label on this one.... it seemed perfect for me. 

"..to enjoy your meals and talks on dining."

             

If you are interested in reading more about vending machines in Okinawa and Japan in general, there are several websites that have additional information.  Although I did not see any, I have read about vending machines that sell live crabs and other interesting items. Just Google search "Vending Machines in Japan" to find out more.  

United Airlines

UNITED AIRLINES TRANS PACIFIC FLIGHT FOOD

Say what you will about airplane food: To be honest, this was my first time dining on a flight so I was a bit excited.  I did not have high expectations because most of my preconceived notions come from TV, movies, and years of bad press.  Okay, it is not fancy or super high class.  It is edible, it does have flavor, and in my experience it was served with a smile and friendly demeanor.  United Airlines also fed me a lot.  Granted, each meal was not extensive, but three (four if you count the pretzels) different servings adds up over 12 hours.  

After the light pretzel snack was the Chicken and rice steamer with salad, roll and a brownie for dessert.  All the food was fresh and hot.  Not overly flavorful but the Honey Dijon dressing gave it enough boost to suit me. The brownie was delicious. Can't really go wrong with chocolate. 

Next up was a light snack of a turkey sandwich and Vanilla Gelato.  Tasty and light it hits the spot and to be honest, after being served this I thought no more food till I disembark the plane... but I was mistaken.

About and hour and a half from our arrival at our destination they stewards again came around with another meal. This time it was an omelet, spinach kiesh and sausage patty, roll and almond cookie.

Granted it was not five star dining, but it was good, it was hot, and it was edible.  It was not much different than what I might make for myself at home from a microwave meal; but, I was okay with that.

On the return trip I found a very similar dining experience but there were some different options to select from.  After the pretzel and beverage service came the first in-flight meal .  I selected glazed salmon with rice option.  The flavor combination was quite tasty.  The standard garden salad was fresh and crisp, which I always appreciate.  The roll was fresh but a very dense bread as it was on the trip out so it was not my favorite.  However, the packaged brownie was the chocolate fix I needed after a mad dash through the airport to catch the flight.  

The mid flight snack was pretty much the same, though the sandwich was a carved ham instead of the thin sliced lunch meat.  The "ice cream" was a plain vanilla, but light and refreshing.

Alas the picture quality on the last meal is not great- turbulence and picture taking evidently don't go well together.  The last meal was really tasty pasta dish that was served at just the right temperature.  

All in all, I would say that in-flight dining has come a long way from the stories I used to hear.  Granted, it is pretty similar to food that I could heat and eat in my own kitchen, but it fulfills the need of a weary traveler.  I enjoyed the food and overall the service on both flights was pretty good.  If you are heading across the Pacific, United Airlines does a nice job of making a really long flight a bit more comfortable. 

http://www.united.com/web/en-us/content/travel/inflight/dining/default.aspx

Blue Seal Okinawa, Japan

BLUE SEAL- OKINAWA, JAPAN

One of the treats of traveling is trying new things.  Granted, I have the luxury of being able to be very adventurous when it comes to food.  I have no known allergies and almost no strong or overwhelming dislikes of food or flavors.  This was a great benefit when traveling overseas.  Even at an Ice cream joint, there are options that you wouldn't normally encounter in the States.   The first two pictures illustrate some of the options available (though you may need to zoom in on the pictures to really see the various flavors) both unique and familiar.  Blue Seal is a staple in Okinawa and can be found in several locations, serving up both hot food and cold deliciousness, it is a recommended stop for travelers.  

So on my first visit to Blue Seal I selected a Beni-imo shake.  Beni-imo is a local variety of sweet potato that is very common in local cuisine.  The purple color comes out in the cooking process and makes for a lovely lavender colored dessert. If you like American sweet potatoes than this dish will not come as a shock.  The flavor is similar and makes for an interesting taste sensation.  On the right, is one of my favorite treats that is available in the states in limited locations.  Green tea is a staple of Japanese cuisine and it is a flavor that I enjoy.  Green tea ice cream is one of my favorites because I generally prefer tart or tangy flavors to sweet.  Green tea ice cream is a wonderful closer for a rich meal.   

            

If you are an ice cream lover this is a fabulous stop while traveling.  Though I did not dine there, the hot food smelled delicious and for those less adventurous, covered most of the American staples you would find in a Braum's or Dairy Queen. As was my experience in all the food establishments in Okinawa, the service was quick, efficient, and eager to ensure clear understanding of what you wanted. Depending on exchange rates most of the ice cream dishes averaged $3-5 in American Dollars.

http://en.blueseal.co.jp/museum.html

Kuroshima Grill: Kokusai Street, Okinawa; Japan

After a fun midday shopping excursion on Kokusai Street in Naha, we stopped to grab a lite bite to eat and get out of the incoming drizzle of rain.  However, we popped into a restaurant that was more of a fine dining place than a lite snack.  After perusing the menu we decided to order a meal and simply share it.  The Lady Set seemed to be the perfect selection (as we were all ladies).

The lady set is a full meal that had a lot of variety to it.  Starting in the lower left hand corner: White rice, sea grapes in a vinaigrette, salad with a Japanese dressing, tofu in a cucumber glaze, custard, soy sauce, miso soup, steak and vegetables.  Each dish had a unique flavor that was almost like a taste roller coaster.  The beef was cooked perfectly to my taste preference (medium) and the vegetables were soft but still had a lite crisp to them.  The big surprise was the pickled sea grapes, which if you like pickled foods I highly recommend trying.  They were tangy and delicious.

This was one of those accidental dining experiences that was a good, but made you wish you had stopped for a full meal instead.  The menu had many delicious options that would have made for a really nice evening meal.  The flavor and presentation of the food was wonderful and the service was (as always) courteous and efficient. Cost depending on exchange rate will be about $15-20 per meal.

Sushi-Go-Round, Okinawa; Japan

Oh how I love Sushi! So of course I was excited to try out the sushi scene in Okinawa.  This particular restaurant is just outside of the American Village shopping complex in Chatan.  When you arrive you can be seated at the bar or in a booth that has a sliding partition to make the dinning experience intimate to your party.The great part about this restaurant is the options and variety.  If you have a particular craving you can simply order from the extensive menu (complete with pictures for ease in ordering).

However, if you want to try a little bit of a variety of options then sit back and watch the options come to you.  The center of the restaurant is the prep area and surrounding that is a conveyor belt of deliciousness.  As you sit in the booth you can watch various sushi rolls pass you and when you see something that tempts your taste buds, simply reach out and pluck the desired plate from the belt. Pricing for the conveyor belt is based on plate color.  There is a chart both on the wall of the restaurant and on the side of the booth below the passing belt.  

Another great feature about this restaurant is the Green Tea.  On the end of the booth next to the prep area is a hot water tap and a canister of powdered green tea, maccha.  Dump in the desired amount and fill with hot water for a warm tea to enjoy while dinning.   The following pictures show the various rolls that I selected to try... sad that I could not try them all, but a stomach is only so big.   In the first picture there is a yellow plate with a seaweed wrapped tuna and avocado roll.  This roll had a tangy dressing drizzled over it giving it a crisp and delightful flavor. The blue plate was a seafood salad wrapped in seaweed. Although this roll did not have a powerful flavor, it was a light and creamy taste that was enjoyable. The white plate was a shrimp roll which paired with a soy/wasabi mixture was a delightful taste sensation.

The next two taste adventures were a tempura mackerel roll on the left which was crunchy and delicious.  On the right is a seared soy infused mackerel roll which was awkward to eat but had a pleasant burst of flavor.

The dinning experience was great and I thoroughly enjoyed sampling a variety of delicacies that were offered. At the end of the meal the waitress comes to your table and scans you stack of empty plates to create your ticket. Depending on how much you like sushi and how hungry you are the price range varies quite a bit.  You will likely spend about $8-10 (depending on the exchange rate) at the minimum.

After our sushi lunch we headed across the street to the second level of the main pavilion in American Village to grab some dessert at the Frozen Yogurt place.  In general, this does not vary from stateside FroYo establishments except for a few of the options of yogurt and toppings.  It is the same- fill the bowl and weigh it at the end system so your price range is $5-10. 

Below are the flavors that I tried out and enjoyed very much.

The Maccha is a green tea flavor and the Litchi is a very tart and tangy flavor.  I paired these with the mango and some granola for a really great flavor combination that was an excellent way to finish off a great lunch stop.

Gajumaru Treehouse; Naha, Okinawa; Japan

The Gajumaru Treehouse is a restaurant that sits off of Highway 58 just outside of the Naha Airport.  It is visually hard to miss and is one of those restaurants that the exterior simply begs for you to stop in and dine.  The parking for this restaurant is a bit messy as it sits right next to a rental car company and tour bus company.  Although this was a fun experience, I can't say that the food was as impressive as the exterior.  Just for clarification, this is not a natural tree.  The entire facility is man made with an elevator to take you up to the dinning area.   The interior does offer some very nice views of the bay and surrounding city, but it is very small so seating is limited.

There is some fun glow-in-the-dark artwork inside the elevator to enjoy on the short ride up to the dinning facilities.  Next to the hostess stand there is a framed article that gives the information about the Treehouses claim to fame, Shabu-Shabu.  There are both tables and a version of Japanese style seating available.

There was a reservation for a large party (a tour group we found out) that took up the entire table area of the restaurant so we were seated in the Japanese style section.  This is not fully traditional as there is an open area under the table for your legs and feet. It will show your age and agility though when you try to get up with people sitting around you.

When entering this seating area you must remove your shoes and place them on the shelves provided.  There are slip on shoes that are available when you leave the area, which you do for drinks and salad. There is a drink bar that has water, a variety of teas, and coffee to select from that you can simply go over to at anytime.  I tried the jasmine tea which was quite delightful.    

The menu is compact and easy to read/ understand. I selected a spicy chicken dish while one of my dining companions ordered the Shabu-Shabu. 

This was an interesting food experience in the combination of the dish.  In the top left corner you have Miso soup, which is a fish broth.  The strength of this soup varies by restaurant; sometimes with an overpowering fish base taste, sometimes just a hit of fish thus making it more broth tasting.  The dish in the upper middle was a fried reedy vegetable that was similar tasting to fried okra though it was not served hot.  Upper right is a dish of white rice.  The chicken was not as spicy as I thought it would be, in fact it was more just like an herb pan seared chicken.  The flavor was not bad but the chicken was a bit on the dry side.  Then there was a floret of steamed broccoli, a stem of the reedy vegetable that is similar to okra, three potato wedges and a small bit of what I would call cavatini (noodles and a red sauce). I am not sure if the portion sizes of these or the combination was more interesting. None of the flavors were off putting but neither were they sensational.

The Shabu-Shabu was an interesting experience just to watch.  There is a hot plate built in to the table that the wait staff turns on when they deliver your basket.  The basket is simply a wire basket with what looks like a piece of wax paper lining it, then filled with water.  The basket sits on the hot plate and the water slowly comes to a boil.  You are given plates of ingredients like tofu, vegetables and the meat (in this case bacon) of your choice, that you can add into the boiling water to cook.  Directions were provided to help guide you through the process.  There were also dipping sauces, soy and a mustard sauce, to use as you preferred.  Overall, my dining companion indicated that there was no overwhelming flavor to her concoction, but it was okay.   

It was an experience, and when you are traveling that is what you look for.  It was a fun place to checkout and now we can say that we have been there and tried it.  The service was good and there were some nice aspects.  The price rang, depending on exchange rates, will fall in the $10-15 range per meal.

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gajumaru-treehouse-diner