CityZens Of Washington Unite For Japan! And Pork Belly, Short Ribs & Sushi…

SOUTHWEST -- From the invitations that were sent out with an emphasis on “zero degrees of separation” to the communal outpouring of support from the District’s best Japanese restaurants to the sheer number of guests in attendance, unity was the theme of the night at Executive Chef Eric Ziebold’s flagship CityZen restaurant on Monday evening.

There, nestled inside the lobby level of the exclusive Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C., a special reception was held benefiting the Japanese relief efforts of Relief International.

Inspired by a fervent desire to support CityZen Sous Chef Makoto Hamamura and fellow cook Hiroyuki Yamashita in the wake of the recent tsunami and earthquakes that devastated their home country, last night’s fundraiser invited Washingtonians to attend a special dining experience featuring a variety of food stations from some of the city’s best Japanese restaurants and was co-hosted by Washington Life Magazine and the Asia Society.

“Watching the news broadcasts March 11th, I realized that my worst fear had again [been realized],” said Hamamura. “But, what can I do? I wanted to help the Japanese people… The money raised tonight will go to the most devastated areas in the hope that they will be able to cling to the hope the world has for their restoration…. I am deeply moved by the turnout for tonight’s event… It is always encouraging to see people band together to help those in need.”

CityZen Sous Chef Makoto Hamamura addresses guests.
From Mt. Vernon Square’s Kushi, guests were treated to plates of seared pork belly with ume paste. Dupont’s Sushi Taro served-up dishes of steamed arctic char wrapped in cherry blossom leaves, with Tako Grill, Corduroy, SEI, Matuba, and KAZ Sushi Bistro each offering various delicacy samplings of their own.

CityZen’s chefs, naturally, were also out in full force with bowls of rich shrimp mousse, spring vegetable salad, and green garlic coulis accompanied by tender slices of miso-marinated beef short ribs and garlic fried rice.

Fresh off of a flight from Tokyo literally just a few short hours beforehand, Ambassador Ichiro Fujisak, Japan’s ambassador to the United States, even was in attendance and spoke briefly about the encouragement that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had shown to Japan’s prime minister and foreign minister during her last visit; most recently with the support of U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue.

“[Ever since] this tsunami, earthquake, nuclear accident happened… We’ve been spurred by goodwill from around the world,” said Ambassador Fujisak. “It’s a real tough fight we’re going through...but...we are helped by two things. One, the resilience and civility of the Japanese people. Second, the goodwill of people around the world, especially in America.”

Ambassador Ichiro Fujisak addresses the room.
In addition to food stations, attendees were given the opportunity to bid on a variety of unique both live and silent auction packages. Ziebold had called in numerous favors to maximize the money raised and everything from a catered dinner by the James Beard Award-winning chef himself to an all-inclusive gourmet vacation in San Francisco to a much-prized lemonade recipe was up for grabs.

CityZen Executive Chef Eric Ziebold spurs-on attendees to bid higher during the evening’s live auction.

And was successful!

Silent auction items lined the far side of the restaurant.
With 100% of the evening’s $70,000+ proceeds – both ticket sales and auction contributions – benefiting Japanese relief efforts, goodwill never tasted so, well, good…

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To learn more about Relief International, please visit the organization's website.