Dinner and the airport.

Last night we went out to dinner before picking up my parents from the airport. They main reason I wanted to go out was I didn't want to dirty anything in my kitchen, the lesser reason was I was too excited to concentrate on anything.  As Greg and I watched the flight status tracker to make sure what time my parents plane would actually get in we discussed where to go for dinner. As we headed out the door at 7 we still didn't have a place in mind, then inspiration hit. We went to Yakinuku Viking, it's a buffet restaurant which has a variety of raw meats that you cook on a tiny gas grill in the middle of your table.  It was so cool. This is how it works, you enter, get seated at a table, tell the waitress how long you want to stay 60, 90 or 120 minutes, then start cooking. We chose the 60 minute option since we had an airport to get to by 9.   The raw meats were set up in a meat case, there was steak, chicken, pork, scallops and prawns.  The meats were in a variety of styles and marinades.  Gabriella got some noodles, breaded fish and a hot dog to start. Greg and I both piled our small plates with beef, pork and seafood. Once you start the actual cooking process you control how rare or well done your food is.  They also had an extensive salad bar, curry, rice, and soba noodle soup.  Included in the price was all you could drink beverages, I had some delicious herbal tea while Gabriella and Greg tried out all the soda options.  The highlight of the meal was desert.  They had a tiny cotton candy machine, which I used to make Gabriella's dessert. Who knew all those years working at the St. Pancratius festival would prove so helpful while out having dinner in Okinawa.  My cotton candy was the envy of every patron.  They also had a soft serve machine, a snow cone machine, ice cream cups, jello, cream puffs and some delicious cakes.  The meals for adults were about $16 and Gabriella was free since she was still 3.  We definitely got our money's worth and left satisfied and ready to return. 

We arrived at the airport while my parents were still waiting for their luggage to come off the plane.  They got here safe and sound with only a few hiccups changing planes and getting through customs at Narita. I'm so happy they are here.  Gabriella is beside herself trying to show them her house and toys and she has been talking non stop. Gabriella didn't get to bed until 10:30 last night and she was up at 6am and went straight into my parents room.  

It's going to be a fun week.