29 June 1999 – Jim invited me for dinner at the ‘best place in town.’ Since there was a torrential downpour outside, I opted for the closest place, which was a tempura bar. Jim and I both ordered one of the recommended dinner sets. Mine included several small pickled salads, miso soup, steamed rice and tempura – two courses of battered shrimp, baby corncobs, potatoes, eggplant, fish and more. Jim’s ‘summer’ set included several fish and seafood dishes as well as rice, soup and a beef bowl. After dinner, we both talked about how we will miss the delicious food of Japan.