Beni on “It!”: Spanish Food at Alhambra in Nishi-Nippori
The news programme “It!” aired a feature with Beni, our teacher. Its theme was “Foreigners praise food from their home countries,” and the restaurant he introduced was… Alhambra in Nishi-Nippori, Tokyo! It is the familiar restaurant where so many of you perform or come to enjoy the shows.
The interview had been filmed a month and a half earlier. The crew also asked to film a lesson at the studio. Thank you so much to everyone who attended that day! The feature showed a lively class and smiling students, and we were delighted that viewers could see the everyday atmosphere of Beni Studio.
Members of the dance group also joined the filming at Alhambra. In a cheerful, bustling atmosphere, one irresistibly delicious-looking dish after another was introduced, including paella and tortilla española, the Spanish omelette. Watching Beni enjoy them certainly made us wish we could have a taste!
The restaurant’s diners also looked as though they were thoroughly enjoying their food.
The final dish was a choice for someone who knows these flavours well: beef tripe stew. I imagine many students thought, “If this is a flavour that brings back memories for Beni, I absolutely have to try it on my next visit!” I was looking forward to going back too, with Spanish omelette, paella and beef tripe stew firmly on my list.
Although the feature was not about flamenco itself, introducing Spanish food recommended by a flamenco dancer brought together so much of what we love: the studio’s entrance door, our doorway to Spain; the appeal of lessons where focused practice and smiles go hand in hand; the distinctive atmosphere of the tablao we have visited so many times; and the wonderfully delicious Spanish food our teacher loves so dearly. To me, it was a wonderful television appearance that captured all of that in a single feature.
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