As mentioned in my previous blog, the Yama restaurant closed after a very big night on 29 June, 2008. It was a very BIG final night for all the regulars who've enjoyed the cuisine, the booze, the friendly insults and occasional service delays at the restaurant owned by my good friend Masami Kawano, aka Sammy-San.
The theme for the night was well demonstrated by Sammy-San, right from the outset!
Sammy-San wasn't fooling anyone. That cup, normally used for Japanese Tea was, on this occasions, filled with Sake.
The official photographer for the night was Mayo-San, the son of Mayo who was supported for this special occasion by Sammy's wife, Masai-San. I couldn't believe how Mayo had grown in all the years that I was a regular at the Yama - while neither Sammy nor Masai had aged at all!
But this night was also about the staff and the regular customers - one of each is seen here.
Another of the regulars was Dan, who never failed to turn up with at least 2 hotties! Whoever it was who said that Koreans wouldn't enjoy Japanese cuisine never met Dan and his very special friends!
Some of the many regulars who turned up for this last opportunity to enjoy the food, the booze and the friendship associated with the many years that the Yama was open.
Wine, women and now song! Yes, the well-known Johnno was there with his new Blues Band to sing such favourites as "Turning Japanese".
On 12 July, 2008, the regulars got together to say "thank you" to Sammy, Masai and Mayo for all the years that they gave to us. The venue was the home of one of the regulars, just around the corner from The Esplanade, Cairns.
Yes, of course there was food there - Sammy provided all the Sushi and Sashimi, while the regulars provided the cake and utensils.
Oh yes, the regulars also provided the booze... all sorts of booze from soft drinks to Sake to beer to champers! The Esky had to be kept refilled on a regular basis, from several fridges.
Oh yes, and there was also an almost traditional Aussie barbecue that was very popular with everyone.
Dan excelled himself on this night by bringing not 2, but 3 of his disciples.
Finally, Sammy-San was encouraged to undertake the ceremony of cutting the cake. Maybe it should've been rice cake, but we couldn't arrange that on short notice.
Despite the obvious short-coming of it not being rice cake, Masai was the first to tuck in.
After all was said and done, we were pleased to see that our work was done on this night!
Thank you for all the greatly enjoyable memories Sammy-San! 度も有賀とございます正巳さん！
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