中の坊瑞苑 - Zuien, the best of Japanese dining

祖母の法要のため関西へ２泊の弾丸トリップ。久々に会う親戚と共に兵庫県有馬温泉の"中の坊瑞苑"で会食。食にうるさかった祖母を偲んでの選択だ。
I made a quick 2nights trip to Kansai for a memorial service of my grandmother. The family dinner was held at Nakanobo Zuien at Arima onsen (hotspring) district in Hyogo.

瑞苑は明治元年に「中の坊旅館」として創業した、有馬温泉でも有数の老舗旅館。全国的に有名な有馬温泉地区の中心部にある。瑞苑の料理は温泉と同じぐらい人気がある。
Zuien was established as "Nakanobo ryokan" in 1868. It is located in the central part of the famous Arima onsen district and boasts one of the longest ryokan history in the area. Zuien's Japanese course dinner is as popular as its Onsen resort.

メニューは９種の料理が順番に出る“せせらぎ”。We chose "Seseragi (small stream)" 9 course menu.

1. 前菜：鮑、芽茎、鳥貝、こし油、胡麻酢掛け
1. Entree: Abalone, stolon, Japanese egg cockle, koshi-oil with sesami seeds dressing

2. 椀盛：冬瓜、油芽葛叩き

2. Soup dish:  winter melon and fish with kuzu soup

3.　造り：３種盛り

3. Sashimi: Trio of sashimi

4.　凌ぎ：穴子飯蒸し

4. Tiding over (hunger saver) dish: Steaned anago rice

5. 焼き物: 鯛塩焼き　青梅甘露煮
5. Fried dish: Grilled snapper with candied plum

6. 八寸：梅雨晴れ　－器が面白い
6:  A taster plate (that represents the current season and different food groups): Sunshine during the wet season - see this unique plate!

7.煮物：長芋、常節、南瓜
7: Stewed dish: Japanese potato, small abalone and pumpkin

8.御飯：変り御飯

8. Rice dish: Special rice dish

9. 水物：季節のデザート
9. Dessert: Seasonal dessert

瑞苑のクオリティ高い会席料理に日本の季節を感じながら、祖母を想う。

詳細は下記の通り

http://www.zuien.jp/

http://www.president.co.jp/dan/backnumber/2005/20050500/1457/

http://www.reference.com/browse/kaiseki