Baby Shower

Last night after work we had a Nomikai (drinking party) baby shower for one of the OLs in my group who will be starting maternity leave next week.


In typical fashion the party was planed by a rotating member of the group. An e-mail was sent explaining the location, and the set amount for each person to pay in advance to join the party. On the designated money collection day I was informed that my amount due was 3000 yen rather than the 4500 yen specified in the announcement because 'girls eat less so they don't need to pay as much,' Score! I really enjoyed the chosen restaurant, Kitchen Cafe http\\ts-g.jp/dining_t_floor. The interior was decorated in a minimalist classic style with a palate of whites and browns, my taste, but I had to laugh at the Jinglish etched into the glass dividers throughout the dining room. The set menu (an English menu is available) for our event was 6 courses with an additional side of burdock fries added on at the request of the expectant mother. My favorite course was, not surprisingly, the brownie desert, but next to that I most enjoyed the shrimp wrapped in white fish and salmon - cooked not sashimi. The most humorous menu item, was the mixed green salad topped with crumbled cool ranch Doritos.

The aftermath. The guest of honor was seated at the near table and thus it was designated non-smoking, which explains why it's empty and all of my coworkers appear so far in the distance.