Japanese foodie

Meat Yazawa (Hamburg/Steak, Gotanda, Tokyo) – 8/10

japanesefoodie — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:17:00 +0000

Hamburg

Meat Yazawa may be the place for non-Japanese meat lovers. Meat Yazawa offers large sizes of tasty steaks and hamburgs (typical Japanese meat dish… looks like a huge pate) at reasonable prices, especially for Tokyo. They can do so because they are a meat wholesaler, dealing with famous yakiniku restaurants such as Jambo. They serve A-5 class meats, which are in the highest rank of meat. Their famous dishe is very juicy hamburg… They also offer a variety of steaks from different parts of beef, including Ichibo (external part of hip)…. So-so casual atmosphere (still better than “family-restaurants”), this is a good place to casually visit to just eat great beef. Though I had to wait only for 10 min, the queue could be up to 30 min or even longer. And no reservation accepted.

Food: 8/10
Service: 7/10
System: 8/10
Cost Performance: 9/10
Total: 8/10

Ichibo steak

Meat Yazawa

2-15-13 Nishi-Gotanda Shinagawa-ku Tokyo Japan

Open: 11:30-15:00, 17:00-24:00

Tel: 03-5436-2914

http://www.kuroge-wagyu.com/my/

Panetteria Arietta (Bakery, Gotanda/Tokyo, 8/10)

japanesefoodie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:38:10 +0000

First thing to say about Arietta is… “I never tasted such delicious breads before (maybe the last time in Tokyo was when I first ate Maison Kaiser’s)!” and at my wine-tasting party, all my friends applaused them, continuing to ask me where I bought these breads.

Arietta is a bakery in Gotanda, known for its home-made wild yeast, domestic wheet and organic products. All the breads I purchased were of high quality – pain au mango, phenix, miel plain, zucca, aromatico, pain au olive, pistacherry…. Also the free sample of ”Shimazuyama Rask”, probably its famous rask reported in media many times, was just very tasty.

Arietta is surely to become my weekly shopping spot!

P.S. Good news for those who don’t go to Gotanda often is we can purchase bread online.

only four of their many great breads

Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
System: 8/10
Cost Performance: 7/10
Total: 8/10

Panetteria Arietta

2-5-1 Renaissance Building 1F Shinagawa-ku Tokyo

Open: 8:00-21:00

Tel: 03 – 3444 – 1345

http://www.pan-arietta.com/index.html

http://www.arietta-shop.jp/

Le Jardin de Tweed (Cafe, Ginza/Tokyo, 7/10)

japanesefoodie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:22:48 +0000

Having tea/coffee or champagne at le jardin de tweed is maybe one of the most elegant afternoons we could spend in Tokyo. Probably le Jardin de Tweed is located on the roof of one of the most expensive buildings in Tokyo, Chanel Building. Operated by Beige Alain Ducasse, the cafe, open only between Thursdays and Sundays, is where you can see a bit of luxuriness of Chanel. Once we step in the building, we are allured to the Chanel world. Under great weather, we can enjoy the sun, sunset and moon light… And even in the cafe, we are surrounded by Chanel design, walls, menu, servers’ uniforms etc. This is a place to have a feeling of Chanel even if we cannot afford to purchase their products!

Though everything served there is at least 50% more expensive than that in cafes anywhere else, it is worth if you want to have a nice, relaxing time with friends, families or someone significant. I loved the afternoon champagne set (glass of Louis Roederer rose + two macarons, JPY2,500). Actually I think their macarons were one of the best ones I have tasted in Japan.

Louis Roederer rose et deux macarons

Food: 7/10
Service: 6/10
System: 9/10
Cost Performance: 6/10
Total: 7/10

Le Jardin de Tweed

3-5-3-10F Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Open: 12:00-23:00 (Tue-Sun and holidays)

Tel: 03-5159-5500

Pio Borracho (Spanish, Shinagawa/Tokyo, 5.75/10)

japanesefoodie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:03:21 +0000

Herb grilled chicken

One of the very few restaurants to remain open after midnight at the Takanawa exit of Shinagawa St. Located on the main street, just a few min away from the station, this is a convenient place to hang out with colleagues and friends for casual dinner and wine. Wine is pretty reasonable, with good selection of wine by glass (over five for each white and red wine). My favorite dishes were ice fish cooked with garlic and herbed grilled chicken. Definitely recommend sitting at the patio, which is unrare for the restaurants in Japan.

ice fish with garlic and mushroom sautes

I will try their flagship dishes – paella and pancakes – next time.

Food: 6/10
Service: 5/10
System: 6/10
Cost Performance: 6/10
Total: 5.75/10

Pio Borracho

4-23-4-1F Takanawa Minato-ku Tokyo

Open: 11:30-24:30

Tel:03-3449-9818

http://www7.plala.or.jp/pio-pio/

Hamaichi (Japanese, Shinbashi, Tokyo – 8/10)

japanesefoodie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:51:11 +0000

Japanese restaurant on the tiny street in Shinbashi. Offering mainly fish, this hidden gem is a do-not-miss place if you are crazy about fish. The only lunch menu, JPY1000, includes boiled fish (octopus etc), fried fish with curry flavor, cold tofu, sashimi with ponzu sauce and rice cooked with shredded sea beam. Type of fish differs by season. Frankly speaking, I never had such a huge and tasty fish menu for lunch in Tokyo before! This is clearly one of my top recommendations for lunch.

Food: 9/10
Service: 7/10
System: 7/10
Cost Performance: 9/10
Total: 8/10

Hamaichi
6-2-7-1F Shinbashi Minato-ku Tokyo
Open: 11:30-13:30 (Mon-Fri), 18:00-21:30 (Mon-Sat)
Tel: 03-3578-1232

Tanakaya (sea food, Hatsushima/Shizuoka, 6/10)

japanesefoodie — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:30:15 +0000

Great fresh iseebi offered just off from the Hatsushima port. Iseebi is a seasonal food, only started to sell from mid of Sep in this island. Though several restaurants serve Iseebi as well as other sea food such as Aji, Ika, etc Tanakaya is well-located, the first restaurant from the port.

Iseebi teishoku (Y2,500) includes Iseebi itself and Iseebi miso soup, made with its head. For Iseebi, you can choose either raw, grilled with salt and boiled. I would definitely recommend sashimi (raw)!

Just visiting Hatsushima is a great day trip or even weekend trip. Only 30 min by ferry from Atami. With beautiful scenary and fresh seafood, we can easily forget about all bad stuff…

Food: 7/10
Service: 5/10
System: 5/10
Cost Performance: 7/10
Total: 6/10

Tanakaya

167 Hatsushima, Atami-shi, Shizuoka

Open: 11:00-17:00

Tel:0557-67-1438

Le Dragon Bleu (Asian, Toranomon/Kamiyacho, Tokyo) – 5.5/10

japanesefoodie — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:55:09 +0000

One of few stylish restaurants in Atago/Kamiyacho area (decoration imitated of Shanghai during the French Concession period). Owned by Soho’s, the major restaurant chain that owns Roy’s, Seiryumon etc, Le Dragon Bleu is a place to eat stylish “Asian” food with close friends/colleagues. The restaurant is pretty crowded during the lunch time for fine mix of price and quality for the area. My favorite lunch menu is Indonesian Nashigoren (JPY1,200), offered with raw spring rolls, small salads and soup. For dinner, it is recommendable for parties and gokon-type gathering!

Mazemaze fried rice with lots of vegetables and shrimps

Food: 6/10

Service: 5/10

System: 6/10

Cost Performance: 5/10

Total: 5.5/10

Le Dragon Bleu

2F Atago Green Hills Plaza 3-21-5 Toranomon Minato-ku Tokyo

Open: 11:00-15:00 (closed on Sundays), 17:30-4:00/23:00(weekends/holidays)

Tel: 03-5733-3771

http://www.soho-s.co.jp/english/dragon/atago_fs.html

Bingo (Italian, Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo) – 5.75/10

japanesefoodie — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 04:52:12 +0000

Chef Kobayashi, who used to work at Ristorante Hiro Centro, opend Bingo in 2006. Although I did not experience it when I visited Bingo, this restaurant is known for its unique way of serving – course starts with dishes that the chef is cooking at that time, rather than in the conventional order of appetizer, pasta and main dish. Also this restaurant has only one menu of 10,000 yen of about six dishes.

Nikuno Grill Misto

The food was just fine in my view. Some dishes like grilled meat and monkfish fritte had originality while the others were kind of ordinary. Tagliolini with meat ragu sauce was honestly dissapointing because pasta was too watery and truffle on top of the pasta did not stand out in the dish.

Monkfish fritte

Although service by staff and chef were friendly and heart-warming, 10,000 yen+ could be too expensive.

Food: 5/10
Service: 7/10
System: 7/10
Cost Performance: 4/10
Total: 5.75/10

Bingo

Wall Nishi-Azabu B1F 4-19-9 Nishi-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo

Open: 18:00 – 24:00

Tel: 03-5774-5721

Nearest Station: Hiroo (Hibiya Line)

<当日のメニュー：10,500円>

アンコウのフリット

厚岸産　生ガキ

人参のロースト

農家のサラダ

肉のグリルミスト

タリオリーニ、野菜のラグーソース　＋白トリュフ（2,800円）

チーズの盛り合わせ　又は　デザート

エスプレッソ・紅茶・ハーブティ　各種

M Cafe de Chaya (Cafe/Californian, Tameike-Sanno, Tokyo) – 7/10

japanesefoodie — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:44:33 +0000

M Cafe de Chaya, a stylish-looking cafe/californian? restaurant at the edge of Ark Hills, is a heaven for health-conscious people and/or vegetarian. M Cafe de Chaya in Tokyo seems to be using most of the recipes from M Cafe de Chaya in LA, the original restaurant. Actually, chefs, though they are Japanese, have been operating several restaurants in California (LA/SF) before opening two cafes/restaurants in Tokyo. Isn’t this such a great success story?

Probably the most eminent characteristics of the restaurant is macrobiotic vegan dining. Most of their dishes is made without any meat, eggs, dairy or refined sugars. My favorite dishes vary from their flagship dish “Big Macro” to salads like Broccolini Pepperoncini. Fresh Big Macro burger is very fulfilling for those who would like to eat well.

The only (and probably pretty important) con is it can cost a lot to eat well here. Good deal is a lunch box. Still, this is the most likely place you will find me between 7pm and 8pm on weekdays;)

Food: 8/10
Service: 7/10
System: 7/10
Cost Performance: 6/10
Total: 7/10

M Cafe de Chaya
Ark Hills Annex, 1-3-37 Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo
Tel: 03-3505-6225
Open: 8:00-21:00 on weekdays, 9:00-21:00 on weekends (closed at the end/beginning of the year)
http://www.mcafe-dc.com/
Nearest station:Roppongi 1-chome (Nanboku line)

<私のよく食べるメニュー>
マクロラザニア（大豆で作ったソースと豆乳クリームのラザニア）　1100円
ビッグマクロ（あらめや玄米のパテ、豆腐チーズ、レタス、トマト、たまねぎ、アルファルファ、ピクルスをサンドしたバーガー）　1470円
Teriyaki Tofu ハンバーグ
大豆ともちキビのコロッケ
Kale with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Broccolini Pepperoncini
Mチョップト　サラダ

Ju-Ju (Yakiniku, Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo) – 6.75/10

japanesefoodie — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:05:08 +0000

Probably one of the best-known and longest operating restaurants in Nishi-Azabu. In addition to Tanshio (salted? tongu) and salted kalbi (boneless short rib), Ju-Ju serves unusual parts of beef such as kainomi (a part of ribs, looking like a large shell in South Ocean), harami (outside skirt), zabuton (a part of shoulder loin, looking like zabuton – Japanese cushion) etc. My favorite dish includes simple seaweed salad, seasoned with tasty sesami oil. Even, just loin on top of rice with leek could be surprisingly addictive.

Very friendly and probably some English-speaking staff make Ju-Ju a great starting point of exploring Yakiniku restaurants in Tokyo. Place to visit if you do not want to feel uncomfortable with new food.

Negi meshi & Roas

Food: 6/10
Service: 7/10
System: 7/10
Cost Performance: 7/10
Total: 6.75/10

Ju-Ju

3-24-20-1F Nishi-Azabu Minato-ku Tokyo
Open: 17:00 – 05:00 on Mon-Sat, 17:00-24:00 on Sundays and holidays

Tel: 03-3405-9911
http://www.take-5.co.jp/en/juju/top.html

Nearest station: Roppongi/Hiroo (Hibiya line)