April Notes from the Kitchen

April 30, 2026

A Little Round Up

Hello friends, Happy April!

The trees are already turning from gorgeous blossoms to bright green leaves. My family and I had an amazing trip to Japan (where we saw plenty of blossoms) -- thank you to everyone who wrote back to the March newsletter with your thoughtful travel suggestions!

Read on for a few reflections from Japan, something personal I wanted to share, and an upcoming event for my fellow Tri-staters.

Japan Highlights

It is hard to a narrow down our trip into a few notes but traveling though just a small part of Japan was even more moving than I anticipated. For this first trip of what I hope will be many, we went to Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. We ate so well and were so visually stimulated and inspired. We met charming, kind, welcoming people in this extraordinary country that truly values craft and tradition.

Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka each held their treasures - each had such diverse neighborhoods... so much to explore... we only scratched the surface. The shopping in Kyoto was amazing - my favorite shop is a garden/workwear store called Brodism that makes it's own line called Sassafras.

I brought back a few pieces for out Entertainwares collection soon... I could have spent 3 days on Kappabashi street.
Japan is unlike anywhere I’ve ever been, and I cannot wait to go back.

Here are my top recommendations:

Tokyo: Nezu Museum, Kyu Asakura House, Pigment art store, Takizme Tea house, Tsubaki Sushi omakase, Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin lunch, Mandarin Oriental hotel spa massage (worth it), kappabashi street kitchen wares.

Kyoto: Kyukyodo stationary, Loftman, Mina Perhonen, Brodism, Torisho Sai yakitori, Menya Inoichi ramen, Tearoom Toka/Gallery Nichinichi, Sakaba Ikura Mokuzai standing izakaya, Jiki Miyazawa special dinner, walk Sannenzaka & Nenenza (go early).

Hakone: we went for only 1 night staying at a very special onsen with exquisite kaiseki meals, Hakone Gora Byakudan. Also a must visit - Hakone Open Air Museum.

Osaka: Gochisou Nene special tempura, Trattoria Licchio's italian, Nakazakicho neighborhood vintage shopping.

Beams - this chain of clothing stores is fantastic for both men and women - each store stocks different items so it's worth going to multiple locations in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo.

A Personal Note

Shortly after returning home, my family experienced a deep loss with the death of my father. My father had a very long and full life, and I am so grateful I was able to be by his side as he passed.

I started The Rounds after the death of my closest friend from my years growing up in Holland. She was the reason I went to cooking school and her memorial brought me back to Holland after too many years.

Death brings people together and in the best cicumstances, a life can be celebrated. While it is a difficult time, I find small things can help. My parent's apartment has been filled with beautiful flowers, sent by loving friends and family. Each day the flowers change shape and vibrancy... I make it a priority to tend to them - trimming, reshaping, and giving them new life where I can. I find having sad/dying flowers can make one's home feel more bleak - while keeping them in good shape makes the home feel beautiful and peaceful. Throw away the fading blooms, make new arrangements with the vital ones, and most importantly change the water daily! It helps make me feel calm... maybe it will for you too.

Below is an example of an arrangement that got reinvigorated with blooms from another vase.

The Ticking Tent Spring Market

Next weekend be back at The Ticking Tent Spring Market on Saturday, May 2nd in New Preston, CT. We have participated in the Ticking Tent from its inception and it continues to be one of my favorite marketplaces of the year.

We’ll have plenty of Rounds to enjoy, as well as a curated selection of our beautiful Entertainwares. For more information or to buy your tickets to the event, please visit the Ticking Tent website. I hope to see you there!

Thank you, as always, for being here and for reading along.

Wishing you all a wonderful month and I hope to see some of you in person in May!

xx Anna

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