KAI SUSHI & DINING - A DELICIOUS NEWCOMER

Photos  by C. Whitney-Ward

Just opened two weeks, this crisp and inviting sushi dining spot is a delightful and delicious destination. Large paper lantern-lights hang from the ceiling, tall black banquettes give a wonderful sense of privacy, and the walls are painted a luscious and eye-popping shade of green. 

Owned by Sara Riveria and Hyon Pak (everyone calls him Pak) and named after their four-year old son, KAI will not only appeal to sushi aficionados who want everything intriguing and fresh, but to anyone with a keen sense of Japanese aesthetic. The food arrives at table artistically plated - a delight for the eye as well as the palate.  

Nari, the Sushi Chef lft. & Owner Pak rt.

Sara Roll - shrimp tempura, cucumber and avocado, topped with spicy crab & Masago caviar. Beautiful, beautiful presentation and lovely flavors.

KAI offers a varied menu - tempting starters, lunch and dinner entrées, and a nice selection of sushi & sushi rolls and bento boxes.  Lots of delicious temptation here.  I tried the Tempura Shrimp Bento and it was a feast, The tempura batter was  light and crisp on the outside, and the veggies - sweet potato, mushrooms, zucchini - were perfectly cooked on the inside. And it was my first taste of a Japanese Tootsie Roll  (upper rt. in photo below),  an intriguing taste mingling of salmon, tuna and scallions.

And there's a small Kids Menu that's priced just right.

KAI Sushi & Dining

720 St. Michael's Drive

Plaza del Sol

 (next to Kinkos) 

505.438.7221

WOMEN OF SANTA FE @ THE FLEA

I've been accused of taking very few photos of Santa Fe women. And, as I look at the  "Faces of Santa Fe" sidebar, I see the error of my ways.  So, here goes...

Photos by C. Whitney-Ward

And this is her truck...

The middle parts of the truck are swell too.

She didn't think she was photogenic...silly girl.

A Wonder Woman/Virgin of Guadalupe

And Georgia O'keeffe, of course.

No doubt on the gender here.

A feminine blast from the past - a charm bracelet.

 And I loved the jeweler's comment:

"Let's take all those sentiments/memories that we're putting on Facebook and twitter

 and put them back on our wrists." You've got my vote!

And this was the "smartest" woman I spotted today. She came prepared for the frigid winds that were a blowin'.

Photographed at The Flea - now open weekends at the Downs.

A MORNING WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

I went for a morning stroll & took my camera along. I walked downtown to the Plaza and snapped everything from a white marble elephant to a charming bit of graffiti, and lots in between. I swear you can close your eyes and point your camera anywhere in Santa Fe and come up with something swell.

Photos by C. Whitney-Ward

It only took about an hour to caputure all of this. Imagine if you had a whole afternoon.

A VERY SPECIAL SANTA FE DOG - ASSISTANCE DOGS OF THE WEST

                                       Photos by C. Whitney-Ward

MEET HOMER.  He's a happy and healthy seven-month old Labradoodle.

He romps, wags his tail and charms. But, don't let his innocent demeanor fool you, Homer is a serious scholar, learning the ropes of being a kind, smart and intuitive assistance dog.

Eleven-year old Hailey, a student at Rio Grande School,  is one of Homer's student trainers and they have formed a very special relationship. Both Hailey & Homer are enrolled in a unique, non-profit organization - Assistance Dogs of the West. ADW works with over 250 students each year and 12-15 hand-picked puppy/dogs. The end result - beautifully-trained assistance dogs that are partnered with clients with disabilities and special challenges.

I asked Homer if he would share some of his experiences with us:

Q. How old were you when you started the program?

H. Puppies usually start in ADW at 8 weeks (I started at 10 weeks) and are in class for 18-24 months.

Q. What is the training like?

H. It's fun , but it's a lot of work. Were really being trained 24/7. Before we graduate we have to learn a 100 commands.  But Hailey's real patient.

We even learn different ways to "sleep" depending on our clients needs - on the floor, in a crate, or on the bed. But if we sleep on the bed, we learn to be gentle.

Q. What do you like best about your training?

H. I love the positive attention that I get and  the treats, especially when I get it right!

Q. What's the most difficult part of your training?

H. Learning to stay still. It's tough on a puppy, but I'm learning.

Q. Will you miss Hailey when you graduate?

H. Yes!!!! She's quiet and sweet and has very "soft" hands. And she's intuitive; when a situation changes, she is quick to see it and help me do the right thing. Hailey is a great trainer for young dogs.

ASSISTANCE DOGS OF THE WEST

505.986.9748

SAVE THE DATE
ADW Graduation 2011
May 19th - 6pm
Santa Fe Convention Center
Tickets: 505.988.1234