I been talkin’ up this Shepherd’s Pie all week; ever since it was first mentioned to me on Wednesday. I suppose it’s not a long time all and all, but it feels like I’ve been thinking about it all week.
It was neat to meet for dinner as always. It was funny to me — as I was walking up from the platform, I was trying to think of what I used to do on Sundays. It turns out, save for the odd one here and there, I’ve always met someone for dinner. I’ve been here about a year and I have a quite the regular tradition. I’ve said it a buncha times before, but I think it’s pretty cool.
We met at the Silver Ball this time: Steve, Phil, Anna, Masumi, and myself. Our destination was Umeda, partially to my dismay as I still have trouble with that place. Steve’s friend Chizu, whom he had met just prior to break, was to meet us by Yodobashi Camera and she would serve as our guide to Blarney’s Irish Pub.
To our great misfortune, she would not be there until 6:30 PM — we arrived in Umeda at 6:00 PM. On the bright side, we were right by Yodobashi Camera so it only made sense to go and wander around there. I’m seriously looking into an iPod Nano.
Once the appointed time arrived, we reconvened, were introduced to Chizu, and were on our merry way to the pub.
The atmosphere was pretty neighborhood bar. Right as you walk in, you have the counter, and off to the right there are a few table set up and a pool table, and to the left there are a few more tables and an area for a small band to set up. It wasn’t overly crowded when we walked in, but there were definitely people and little room to sit. As we waited, the bar opened up and all six of us were able to sit together. Not that it did much good since we weren’t facing each other or anything. I sat next to Masumi, but Chizu was on my other side. There were a few moments of awkward silence and some general small talk, but it was otherwise odd. Steve finally came down to our end of the counter and things relaxed a bit as he and Chizu were engaged in their own conversation and that gave me time to talk more with Masumi.
The Shepherd’s Pie itself was a much smaller portion than I woulda liked, but it tasted quite good. I was definitely happy about that. Next time we go, we decided that we’d order a few of ‘em and then just tuck in that way.
Since we were in Umeda, it was no surprise that we stopped off at Kinokuniya. Yeah, I know, I’ve got enough books to last quite a long time…but that doesn’t mean I can’t look. That’s what happens when you’re in love with words.
Not a bad night all things together. Since Blarney’s was located amidst a bunch of yakiniku places, we decided that next week we would probably patronize the yakiniku joint we like so much.
Mmm…dead aminal…
