mangia: holiday scramble

Last minute meetings, gifts & gifts galore... I spent Wednesday evening at East, a chain Japanese restaurant on 55th between Broadway & 8th Ave. The highlight of the evening? Shabu Shabu. That's Japanese fondue to you. We got the 2 person Prime Rib order. That's thinly sliced beef & vegetables like cabbage, bean sprouts, yam, mushrooms, udon noodles, and clear noodles.

The pot boils with pieces of kelp which gives the pot it's flavor, and you add the vegetables and spend the time watching it cook while catching up with friends.

Our appetizers of Tuna rolls come in, Tuna with Avocado, Spicy Tuna, & Tuna with Scallions. All were delicious!

Then as the food cooks, you add the meat which cooks almost instantly! They give you two sauces, along with chopped scallions & horseradish to custom make your sauces.

To end the meal we add in the noodles which soak up the remaining water, we had to add more water!

So if you aren't in the mood for a heavy cheese fondue, try Shabu Shabu, it's guaranteed to be an entertaining dinner!