Hanabi

"Hanabi is not a hater. Well usually Hanabi is, but not when it comes to vegetarian and vegan foods. Hanabi is very judge-y though. It’s not that meat or dairy free foods are bad, it’s just that there needs to be a greater level of creativity and attention to detail when preparing these foods. Let’s face it, even an over-cooked or simply a low-quality cut of meat can be made to taste passable in one way or another. You can add cheese, even horrible processed cardboard cheese and save hopeless dish. But, you can’t really save poorly executed vegan or vegetarian dishes. The ingredients are just that fragile and requires a deft hand to put it all together. With that said, Hanabi usually hates fake meat and fake cheese. That’s a big part of what in Hanabi’s opinion drags down meat and dairy free cuisine. But, Hanabi wanted to try a new vegan burger place on Haight St. called VeganBurg. He actually liked it, and it inspired him to do a vegan-burger battle. He put VeganBurg up against an old time favorite fro

"Hanabi lives in a magical land of apps. The apps allow Hanabi to do absolutely nothing for himself anymore. I’m being a bit cynical, but it’s true that the San Francisco Bay Area is a hotbed for new apps that tend to be available here long before they reach the rest of the country. For example, New Orleans just recently got Uber. One of the food related apps that I’ve recently used is No Wait.  No Wait allows you to put your name on the restaurants waiting list without having to be there in person. That’s usually a no-go over the phone. But, the time I used it, it worked. It’s sort of bridge between a waiting list and an actual reservation. Score one for technology. Another app I frequent is Instacart which is available in several cities throughout the country. Much like the now defunct WebVan from 2000, Instacart will go shopping for you at local markets and deliver your groceries to you. It’s fast and ultra convenient. There are several apps for food delivery now as well, including deliveries from rest

"On this episode, we’re jumping in the Japanese Music way-back machine. We’ve got some old school favs from the likes of Midori Takada, Yukihiro Takahashi, Miharu Koshi. Enjoy! Also, get that BTRtoday app! 00:00 Intro 02:00 Mr Henri Rousseau's Dream- Midori Takada 13:40 Break 16:01 Something In The Air- Yukihiro Takahashi 20:30 108 Desires- Yasuaki Shimizu 24:22 Pao-Jiang-Hu Theme- Yasuaki Shimizu 27:40 Break 31:30 Cosmic Surfin- Haroumi Hosono 36:23 lost in translations- Kidorikko 41:38 Parallelisme- Miharu Koshi 46:47 Nature- Stomu Yamashta 50:04 Outro 54:32 Finish Bands: Midori Takada Yukihiro Takahashi Miharu Koshi 00:00 - Intro 02:00 - Mr Henri Rousseau's Dream - Midori Takada 13:40 - Break 16:01 - Something In The Air - Yukihiro Takahashi 20:30 - 108 Desires - Yasuaki Shimizu 24:22 - Pao - Jiang-Hu Theme- Yasuaki Shimizu 27:40 - Break 31:30 - Cosmic Surfin - Haroumi Hosono 36:23 - lost in translations - Kidorikko 41:38 - Parallelisme - Miharu Koshi 46:47 - Nature - Stomu Yamashta 50:04 -

"Hanabi is soon to be making his travels to the ancient homelands of Europe, specifically, Paris, London and Rome. The big three I guess you might say. I’ve been to Paris and London several times, and I never get tired of those cities. How could you? I’m looking forward to Rome, as I’ve never been. Needless to say, many adventures await. In this episode Hanabi lays out the plans for the restaurants he wants to try, and after he returns we’ll contrast and compare. In Paris, among several spots it’s all about L’Avant Comptoir. It’s modern Paris at its best, from what we hear. In London, it’s all about a full-English breakfast for Hanabi. Apparently there’s no better place than Breakfast Club right now. We’ll see how it stacks up to The Wolseley. Rome is a wide open book right now.. There’s just so many places to go, but Bonci Pizzarium is the siren call for Hanabi and it must be done. Have you ever wanted to eat a Dork Burger or Dog Sticks Me too. Check out Hanabi’s adventure to the LunchBox La

"Sometimes Hanabi leaves the confines of the city for Southern climes. Don’t be shocked, outside the city there exists some of the finest restaurants in the country. One of those gems is in Los Gatos, an affluent hamlet in the South Bay home to Manresa which just earned its third Michelin star. I had one of the most memorable meals at Manresa and chef David Kinch did not disappoint. Two years ago Manresa had a kitchen fire that shut it down for about 6 months. But, it’s firing away on all cylinders. While I’m in the South Bay, Palo Alto to be specific, and because I spent all my money at Manresa I need a place that is delicious but not going to break the bank. That’s where Oren’s Hummus comes in. Fresh Israeli hummus and house made pita? Yes please! You also might find us chillin at the Mee Kong Barb. No big deal, just eating some Bahn Mi Burgers... Also, if you haven’t already, download the BTRtoday app from the iTunes store. It makes listening to Dj Hanabi on the go easy. 00:00 Intro 06:05

"Hanabi’s parents are shoving off to Prague and Budapest in a few months to keep the image of the American tourist alive. So, with a father-son dinner meet up on the schedule, we figured we’d get them ready for that Eastern European cuisine by visiting Cafe Europa in the Richmond district. Also, it nicely fits with the desire to try a more diverse selection of neighborhood haunts rather than just the big hits. Cafe Europa is a nice mix of Czech, Hungarian, Polish, German and Russian cuisines. Pops and Hanabi are huge fans of these and it literally runs in the blood. One dish in particular stands out for me, and that’s Goulash. The ubiquitous Hungarian dish which is essentially a beef stew served over either egg noodles, rice or potato dumplings. I personally like it with spaetzle. The big difference between Goulash and a basic beef stew is the addition of smoked paprika. I can’t even begin to adequately extol the virtues of smoked paprika. The deep red color it lends to a dish is a good start though.

"We’re always trying to drop the best Japanese beats from Hokkaido to Okinawa. We’ve yet again succeeded. With bands like Stereopony, People in the Box, Tfvsjs what else do you need? Sit back and get ready to be amazed. Also, if you haven’t already, download the BTRtoday app from the iTunes store. It makes listening to Dj Hanabi on the go easy. 00:00 Intro 01:59 Echolocation- LITE 05:42 pop song 1.0- tfvsjs 10:38 between- tfvsjs 16:06 Break 18:07 Ai Wo Ute- Luna Haruna 22:09 Rising Hope- LiSA 26:14 Tsukiakari No Michishirube- Stereopony 30:03 Overdrive- Stereopony 34:23 Break 36:17 Animation- Young Juvenile Youth 40:50 Commit Ballad- toe 44:55 lost in translation1- People in the Box 50:05 lost in translation2- People in the Box 54:34 Outro 56:48 Finish Bands: People in the Box Stereopony Tfvsjs 00:00 - Intro 01:59 - Echolocation - LITE 05:42 - pop song 1.0 - tfvsjs 10:38 - between - tfvsjs 16:06 - Break 18:07 - Ai Wo Ute - Luna Haruna 22:09 - Rising Hope - LiSA 26:14 - Tsukiakari No Michishirube -

"Hanabi finally scored a reservation to The Progress!  The Progress is the sister restaurant to the much ballyhooed, and totally exceeds all such ballyhoo, State Bird Provisions. They are in fact neighboring restaurants. While State Bird serves their playful dishes dim sum style, The Progress’ menu changes daily and goes for a family style approach. It’s such a creative way to serve such creative food. For $58 a person, you get four different starters and you can choose four different larger items. It’s about as simple as it gets, but it’s also an exciting change from the standard service of individual plating for a tasting menu. Some of the hits of the evening would have to be the grilled octopus. Octopus is basically my favorite seafood. If it’s on the menu, I’m getting it! We also got down with some spot on mackerel crudo which was a perfect start to the meal. Since it can’t always be meat all the time, we opted for a celery root ravioli which came with a nice little apple puree. Delicious! We a

"I never intended to speak of the Super Bowl, post-Super Bowl, but I couldn’t help it considering where I spent my Super Bowl Sunday. Hanabi and some pals went to Hi-Tops a gay sports bar located in the Castro district. Talk about a well run sports bar, this place was on its A-game. They were packed, but neat, clean and efficient. The food was next-level pub grub. The killer nachos stole the show! Pork chops too boring for you lately? I say dress them up with Hanabi’s weekday porchetta hack. Hanabi also went to Mexico for a weekender. How about a little fried opah sandwich from some of the most beautiful waters you’ll ever see? Also, if you haven’t already, download the BTRtoday app from the iTunes store. It makes listening to Dj Hanabi on the go easy. 00:00 Intro 02:48 Gold- Darkstar 06:43 Stoke The Fire- Darkstar 10:42 Break 18:45 Stone In Focus- Aphex Twin 28:24 Break 34:15 Panic of Looking- Brian Eno 38:33 The Real- Brian Eno 45:22 Last Anthropocene- Brian Eno 52:54 Outro 59:58 Finish Links HiT

"Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Super Bowl 50 comes to San Francisco and with it the controversial Super Bowl City located right along the already heavily congested Embarcadero near the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge terminus. Although locals are curious about all of the traffic issues, public transportation re-routes and overall cost to the city I will say this, it’s not short of things to eat. Some local eateries have opened up shop inside the gates. Looking for a lobster roll? No problem. Want a burger from Michelin Starred Michael Mina? Got that too. The food’s not cheap, but it’s at least elevated well above the nachos and hot dogs you’d expect. Hanabi also wanted to throw down a nice little comfy chicken Kiev recipe. Since summer is still far away, we figured an ultimate summertime drink made from cactus and pineapple would hit the spot. Secret: add mezcal to it. Also, if you haven’t already, download the BTRtoday app from the iTunes store. It makes listening to Dj Hanabi on the go easy. 00:00 i

"You’ll be pleased to know that Hanabi has lifted his unannounced moratorium on beer. He had a little New Years thing going on where he didn’t drink any beer for a minute. But, he’s wisely given up on that and now we can talk beer again. If Odin Brewery’s Thor’s Equinox doesn’t grab you, then I don’t know what will. We also get into bread in this episode, specifically milk bread, but more importantly fairy bread from Australia. Yes, you heard that right. But, we were most excited to find out about a French Alpine town whose cheese makers decided to turn the leftover whey from their Beufort cheese into a clean, and sustainable energy solution. We’re looking at you Wisconsin. 00:00 Intro 02:35 Gloomsday- Pillar Point 07:15 Berlin Lovers- Still Corners 09:31 Myth- Beach House 13:38 Break 18:36 Starved For- Strange Wilds 21:28 The Yabba- Battles 28:00 Paradise Girls- Deerhoof 31:47 Break 36:24 Let It Happen- Tame Impala 43:50 That Beep- Architecture In Helsinki 47:32 Freedom '15- !!! 53:22 Outro 59:52 F

"There’s a spot in town where you’ll recently find Hanabi whiling the hours and drinking fancy cocktails, and eating octopus bits, it’s called ABV. They do octopus right, served with potatoes covered in smoked paprika and a squid ink romesco sauce. Top it off with a libation made with mescal and pickle juice and you have Hanabi’s attention. Hanabi also drops a little shout out to a pepper that is not only inexpensive, but delicious and getting easier to find. The shishito peeper or it’s Euro-cousin the pardon are amazing little peppers that are full of flavor and easy to prepare. Hanabi also got down with some dried mushrooms which you should never be afraid of because they’re easy to work with and actually sometimes more flavorful than fresh. And why not top it all off with some Sichuan spare-ribs? 00:00 Intro 01:18 Tonto (four tet remix)- Battles 10:28 Break 20:20 Breathe Me(four tet remix)- Sia 25:12 Puma- Dntel 28:42 Now It's Dark- Tuxedomoon and Clut With No Name 32:25 Break 40:20 Here We Are (f

"Japan in the New Year. Let’s think about that for a moment shall we? Okay, good, now don’t tell anyone what you were thinking as none of it will come true. Hanabi is immune to that however. We promise to eat more Japanese curry this year. Oh, and find you more crazy bands to listen to. Let’s start with some Gesu no Kiwami Otome. While we’re at it, some Towa Tei will do nicely. Let’s not forget Yui Horie 00:00 Intro 01:58 (without english translation) - Gesu no Kiwami Otome 05:39 (without english translation) - Gesu no Kiwami Otome 09:56 (without english translation) - RADWIMPS 15:02 Marching Band- Asian Kung Fu Generation 19:58 Break 22:00 Rakuen - Miliyah 25:41 men2zu - TOWA 29:45 Sweet& Sweet CHERRY - Yui Horie 33:34 True Truely Love - Yui Horie 37:18 Break 39:00 Mashiro Ayano - Ideal White 43:10 Vanilla Sky - Mashiro Ayano 47:44 Mondai Girl - Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 52:00 Overfly - Luna Haruna 56:20 Outro 59:17 Finish Bands: Gesu no Kiwami Otome Number Girl Yui Horie 00:00 - Intro 01:58 - (wit

"If you like vintage Hollywood, then you’ll love Palm Springs. It’s a small desert city about an hour east of L.A. nestled in the Coachella Valley near the San Jacinto mountains. It’s basically a mid-century freak-out. They certainly don’t lack for food either. A visit to Workshop confirmed that. Palm Springs is no small-town when it comes to it’s food. The octopus carpaccio was beyond ridiculous. Hanabi has also been working on his pancake chops.Let me pause a moment to say that I hate anyone who calls them flapjacks or griddle cakes. Where did you grow up, in some ridiculous sit-com soundstage? They’re called pancakes, and that’s it. Anyway, I digress. He made some ricotta pancakes with lemon curd, which are kind of becoming a classic because they’re delicious. He also set about tying his love of Japanese food with pancakes. It’s no shock that Japan has it’s own take on the pancake. 00:00 Intro 02:40 Body/Mind - TW Walsh 05:14 Fundamental Ground - TW Walsh 08:22 Monterrey - TW Walsh 11:46 Break 20

"Hanabi is all about that Hai Nan chicken right now, and it’s Thai variation called Khao Man Gai. Who would think that boiled chicken and rice could be so delicious? It’s kind of becoming a thing right now out here on the West Coast. The tender slices of perfectly juicy chicken paired with rice cooked with chicken fat and a flavorful sauce with garlic, ginger, oil and some very thick, dark soy sauce with a simple garnish of cucumber and cilantro make the best anytime meal. In fact it’s considered breakfast in parts of Asia. Hanabi also returned to his hometown of Sacramento for some proper Mexican food including epic Birria, Molcajete and of course Micheladas. Also, get ready for a Wasabi soda by the Hanabi one himself. 00:00 Intro 02:40 Parallel- Tounges In Trees 06:40 Merchants of Soul- Spoon 09:25 Can't Undertand- Metz 12:04 Hanabi talks Tai Chicken 19:52 Red Sun - Merchandise (feat Dum Dum Girls) 23:02 Echo- Merchandise (feat Dum Dum Girls) 27:26 Girls Intuition- Dum Dum Girls 30:12 Trouble Is

"Hanabi gives you the rundown on some New Years eats. The do's and the don'ts. If you wanna supercharge your luck this year, look no further. Not much more to say, so listen. Osechi Sausage 00:00 Intro 01:18 Yes I am A Long Way From Home- Mogwai 07:10 Like Herod- Mogwai 18:42 Break 23:40 Katrien- Mogwai 29:04 Radar Maker- Mogwai 30:40 Tracy- Mogwai 37:50 Break 40:34 Summer- Mogwai 43:34 With Portfolio- Mogwai 47:00 Outro 54:36 Finish Mogwai 00:00 - Intro 01:18 - Yes I am A Long Way From Home - Mogwai 07:10 - Like Herod - Mogwai 18:42 - Break 23:40 - Katrien - Mogwai 29:04 - Radar Maker - Mogwai 30:40 - Tracy - Mogwai 37:50 - Break 40:34 - Summer - Mogwai 43:34 - With Portfolio - Mogwai 47:00 - Outro 54:36 - Finish "

"It’s not that Hanabi has the post holiday blues or anything, it’s that he is thrilled that another Christmas is in the books. Usually, we could talk about what to do with all the after Christmas food, but not this year. Instead we checked out a very weird situation going on down at the former Fizzary space. This drama is so good it doesn’t matter if you’re local or not. The Fizzary until recently, was a vintage style soda shop that carried hundreds of varieties of soda from around the world and from craft-styled makers. Anyway, the people that are subleasing the space have apparently turned it into a not-so-underground gambling club and illegal bar. Apparently it’s be so shady that the landlord has taken to extreme measures to notify the police and alcohol commission, and so far no one seems to care. Hanabi also loves movies. His favorite place to catch a movie just so happens to be the Sundance Kabuki theater over in Japantown. This place is rad. There super comfy couch-like chairs with tables atta

"I’ve had no less than two different documenting their current trips to Japan this week. Needless to say, Hanabi is now jealous and feeling quite spiteful towards them rather than celebrating their good times. Japan is a super fun time and even though Hanabi has been, it’s very upsetting when other people go there an rub it in that Hanabi wasn’t invited. So this week’s playlist represents all the spitefulness, envy and sadness, Japanese-style, that we could think of. Just kidding, although Japan is fun, we’re happy for them. This week we’ve got Spangle Call Lilli Line of all bands. Oh, not enough? How about Number Girl and sleepy.ab then? Satisfied? 0:00 Intro 01:06 Dagazugu- Kazuki Tomokawa 03:45 Dare wo urameba iinode gozaimashouka- Kam Mikami 07:26 Ijanaika- The Mops 11:05 Koi Wa Heart De- Aki Izumi 13:12 Break 15:58 lost in translation- sleepy.ab 20:36 Henzai- Hisato Higuchi 25:16 Land- Ai Aso 32:10 Break 34:41 Eye- Spangle Call Lilli Line 40:43 lost in translation- Prune Deer 43:51 Morning Sun-

"Ever been to an Indian wedding? If not, you should find one and go. My best buddy, some might say BFF, is an Indian-American, and more specifically he’s Gujarati, and he invited me along to his sister’s very traditional wedding. Some things to prepare for if you get invited to one of these events. First, the ceremony is long. In this case it was shaved down to a mere hour, instead of the more usual four hours. Secondly, it’s an explosion of color. From the bride and groom in their deep scarlet and gold to the guests resplendent in every other color you could imagine. Then there’s the dancing, and lots of it. It’s like a Bollywood production on the dace floor. Lastly, and maybe most importantly there is food, and lots of it. First there was an appetizer course with a chaat, which you can kind of think of as an Indian tapa, that consisted of an Idli, which is a little cake/ dumpling made from rice flour that was smashed and covered in a rich yogurt and a spicy chutney. I could have eaten about a hundr

"Hanabi decided to get with the holiday spirit and made some Latkes. Though not a tradition in the Hanabi house growing up, it’s definitely one worth incorporating. Who doesn’t like potatoes, especially lightly fried potatoes. Hanabi also went in very wide arc to make a recipe for a drink that resembles a very holiday drink that is well known to parents and grandparents of a certain age, but all the millennials out there will know it as butter beer. Speaking of beer. Hanabi decided to try making beer can chicken. In the oven. What? 00:00 Intro 02:45 In a Future World- Telekinesis 05:42 The Concept- Hecta 09:14 Sympathy for the Auto Industry- Hecta 14:19 Beer Can Chicken 21:44 Calm Down- The Love Language 26:13 Neighborhood Watch- Mike Krol 28:23 Latkes 35:23 Bulbs of Passion- Dinosaur Jr 39:35 Gone Tomorrow- Lambchop 46:28 ButterBeer 53:10 Finish Links: Latkes Butter Beer Beercan Chicken Bands: Hecta Dinosaur Jr. Lamb Chop 00:00 - Intro 02:45 - In a Future World - Telekinesis 05:42 - The