Peter and Lori take Valerie out for a belated birthday dinner...at Ikemen! We have wanted to try Shigetoshi "Sean" Nakamura's latest creation since the Rameniac first teased about its soft opening.

Nakamura-san's previous creation, Ramen California, was the closest ramen shop to us. Valerie and I frequented it until he unexpectedly left. We both deeply missed his unique twist on the ramen formula...and his more traditional tonkotsu.

I concur

Premium Ramen? Ikemen pushes dip ramen, but Valerie and I both feel the pull of the Premium Tonkotsu Ramen with Chashu Pork topping

We're all first timers at this new restaurant

Lori orders "Hollywood fries"...not something I would have expected at a ramen shop.

I try the Zebra Dip...good, but I am still not 100% sold on this whole tsukemen craze

Valerie scores the last Premium Tonkotsu Ramen served today. Now THIS is ramen! Why Nakamura-san serves only 10 of these per day is beyond me.

Valerie is VERY happy with her choice.

NEX-Man...Pete breaks out his new toy

Is this Bruin saying "Fight on?"

For dessert, Pete and Lori surprise us with an extra stop for dessert at Roy's in Downtown. We have never been to this location before and it has been quite some time since Valerie or I have enjoyed their signature chocolate soufflé. I am extra happy we each got our own...it is every bit as good as I remember it to be.