SHIBUYA: Ore Beato Italian... surprising multi-appetizers for Lunch :)

Looking for a nice lunch spot near the Cerulean Hotel and came across Ore Beato with a respectable 3.58 ranking on Tabelog.  

Daily lunch specials outside... arrived at 1:10pm and it was a full house inside... but it was a beautiful October day and opted for the suggestion to sit on the terrace.  There are 2 tiny tables for 2 outside and each chair came with a small blanket.

Lunch comes with this initial dish and a choice of Tea or Coffee.  This was actually a very nice surprise... 6 little items each with a very individual flavor.  

Waiters bring an ice cold glass of water along with your choice of lunch drink.

I ordered the daily special pasta.  Different types of mushrooms in a creamy anchovy sauce. Anchovy was not overbearing and sauce was thick enough to cover the pasta noodles.  Very good.

My friends dish was the Chicken in tomato sauce with several veggies inside.  An excellent dish that went well with the...

....home made bread.  Very chewy... Flavor was similar to pita bread.  For Lunch you have the option of rice or bread.  Waiter said the bread was home made so had to give it a try.

Shop: Ore Beato

Nearest Station: JR Shibuya

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13131475/

Gnavi Website with Coupon: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/gakt400/

Shop Website: http://orebeato.jimdo.com/

Address J: 東京都渋谷区道玄坂1-16-15

Address E:  Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Dogenzaka 1-16-15
MAP:

View Larger Map

ROPPONGI: FREY's Famous Pizzeria... and former Savoy Pizzeria Chef resurfaces!

There was a time when I was a lunch regular at Savoy Pizzeria in Azabu Juban not only because of the great pizzas but also due to one of the friendliest Pizza Chefs in Tokyo... Mr. Yamaguchi (as pictured in the video above).  One day he disappeared and its been about two years since I last saw him.  My frequency to Savoy came to a halt and Savoy pizzeria slowly left my lunch time wanderings...

...i randomly picked up Tokyo Calender featuring Pizzeria's around Tokyo and noticed a familiar face... yup, it was Mr. Yamaguchi... opened up his own shop in April 2011.  So this day I went for a visit!

In the shadows of Tokyo Midtown and steps from the posh Ritz Carlton Tokyo... located in a quiet back street just a min or two from Roppongi Crossing.

Yamaguchi-san greeted me with a familiar friendly smile as I stepped into Frey's.  Quick chit-chat to catch up to what he has been up to then it was time for one of his great Pizzas!

I looked at the menu... looked at Yamauchi-san... asked for the Osusume (recommended) and he responded "Marinara-Deshyo" (still remembers my preference of Pizza's).  Customer service for ya!

Lunch salad came out... crisp and fresh.

And so it arrives... Hint of garlic and something I don't normally see on Pizza's...

... a tiny Tomato.

There are 2 counter seats facing the Yamaguchi-san at work... the best view.

More pics of the great food here:

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13124749/dtlphotolst/1/

Tiny tomato's in the sauce...

No smoking... always a welcome sight for me :).

Counter seating... the restaurant was immaculate.  Very clean and comfortable.

And just a few tables for parties of 4.  More interior shots here: 

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13124749/dtlphotolst/3/

Closed my meal with an Espresso on the house... this shop values its customers.

Overall a great pizzeria and definitely a spot that I'll share with my friends... and with a highly ranked foodie website ranking of 3.76! Way to go Yamaguchi-san~.

Shop: FREY' Famous Pizzeria

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13124749/

Review in Japanese: http://roppongi.keizai.biz/headline/2324/ 

Address J: 東京都港区六本木4-5-15

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 4-5-15

MAP:

View Larger Map

OIZUMI GAKUEN: Restaurant Chez Vous... outskirts of Tokyo for lunch :)

People living in the outskirts of Tokyo 23-wards usually head into central areas like Ginza, Omotesando, Roppongi, Azabu, Aoyama etc. for dining, shopping, hanging out etc.  Well this day I headed out of central Tokyo near Mari wouldn't have to commute so far from her town.

She wanted to check out this Italian restaurant that just opened.  Lunch starts at 980 yen and includes a drink/mini salad.

Great little salad... we both went for the Iced Tea.  Mari's in the background... helping her with a few English words and resume.

This was my selection... home made sausage pasta with fresh tomatoes.  How could I pass up home made sausages... I mean where in Tokyo can you find this except at Bernd's Bar in Roppongi.  But after a few bites we decided that this could easily be made at home... nothing really special about this.

This was Mari's minced seafood in tomato cream sauce... this was SO GOOD!!!  Imagine meatballs but made out of seafood.  The flavor was a mix of crab and lobster. The volume was nothing like you get in central Tokyo.  Oishi!  This is selection "C Lunch" on the menu.

Interior was very spacious.  What I noticed the most was that this place had a staff of 6... Nobody really looked part-time.  All men, all dressed in white uniforms.

Ask for fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

Mari loves a hint of spice... ask for this if you need a little kick.  But overall this place was a great value... I wouldn't bother with A,B or the days special D... Just go for "C" Lunch, no regrets.

Shop: Chez Vous

Station: Oizumi Gakuen (Seibu Ikebukuro-Line).

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132103/13034163/

Address J: 東京都練馬区東大泉2-7-1

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Higashi Oizumi 2-7-1

MAP:

View Larger Map

KICHIJOJI: Trattoria La Creatura Lunch with Mari

It was movie day for us in Kichijoji so where to have lunch... the first time I didn't check my favorite foodie ranking website www.tabelog.com for a place in advance.  Mari suggested I should be a bit more willing to randomly try new spots...

Mari tried La Creatura's pasta years back so we decided on this spot.  It was nearly 90% women... a good sign that the food is good.  Interior was very comfortable.  Oh we got two types of bread, green tea and another one... both very chewy.

Light salad with Japanese dressing.

Lunch Tea

Mari's simple pasta was great... enough sauce to dip the bread into afterwards.  This lunch set came with drink and salad.

I ordered the 4-cheeses pizza. Its on a very light crust so if you don't want a heavy meal then this is a good choice.   For the pizza lunch they will charge you an additional 200yen or drink and salad.

Not sure why this place is called La Creatura... does it sound Italian?

Overall a good spot with a 3.38 ranking on the foodie website. But I think we both agreed that the pasta selection was better than the pizza's.

Restaurant: Trattoria La Creatura

Location: Kichijoji Station

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1320/A132001/13009986/

Hotpepper Website with Coupon: http://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000022639/map/

Address J:  東京都武蔵野市吉祥寺本町1-9-10 ファミリープラザ ３Ｆ

Address E:  Tokyo, Musashino-shi, Kichijoji Honcho 1-9-10, Family Plaza 3F

MAP: 

View Larger Map