SHINJUKU: Cona Shinjuku Branch... think they hired a very inexperienced Pizza Chef.

Who doesn't love the amazing 500yen Pizza's at Cona!  I've been a regular at the Shibuya branches and my absolute favorite is Ura-CONA... but I now realize not all Cona's are equal. 

Shinjuku Cona has a great English Menu... 

... But just as a warning there are very little ingredients listed so if you don't care for Mayonnaise sauce in place of Tomato Sauce you should confirm with the watier~

All drinks are an easy 500yen and friend of mine went with the Atsu-kan (heated sake) that wasn't listed on the menu.

My trusty Guinness

Our first Mexican pizza arrived... visually it looked fairly undercooked and simply looked less appealing than any Cona pizza I've had in Shibuya.  One bite and I realized the center was still raw dough... hmm.

Spicy olive oil is always a nice kick.

Thats our Pizza Chef in the back with eye-glasses...

And our 2nd pizza came out... Avocado Pizza with yup Mayo sauce... oops, I shoulda double checked.  This was simply burnt all around and the center was raw.  Honestly the pizza chef at Shinjuku Cona really sucks.  They really need to send him to Ura-Cona for some training 

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.jp/2011/11/shibuya-ura-cona-500yen-pizzas-and.html

Inside was a full house but for the 500yen price point its probably a given.  Space is very tight but several types of seating... Counter, Long Table shared with about 10 customers and individual tables for 2-4 people.

I have never stopped at just 2 pizza's at Cona... but I just didn't want to eat any more burnt under-cooked pizza's.  I won't be back to support Shinjuku but will definitely only hit up Shibuya for my Cona cravings.  Should have taken the lowly 3.21 foodie score to heart.

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13122366/

Shop: Cona Shinjuku Branch

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/gags300/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13122366/

Address J: 東京都新宿区新宿3-11-12 永谷テイクエイト １Ｆ

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-11-12

MAP:

View Larger Map

SHINJUKU Golden-Gai: Krishuna.... Hummus! Falafel! Finally found you...

I've been wandering the back alleys of Golden Gai following my friend Terry thru the maze of small bars that can barely fit 6-8 people each.  He has his favorite spot called San-Tsubo but its a rock themed bar and with the only door closed its a smokey mess... yeah, i'm a non-smoker.

And so I decided to check my favorite foodie website www.tabelog.com to check out the rankings of the shops in Golden-Gai... and I hit on Krishuna with a solid 3.52 foodie ranking.

Now... the interior is so comfy.  But my main target was what I rarely see on any menu in Japan...

...Falafal!  Dude, in my 10yrs here I have NEVER found falafal... 

And there it is... this was sooo good... we went for 2 orders.

And of course... Hummus!  A must... another dish I will be back for.

and finally a light serving of french fries with tasty bagna cauda dip.

When you sit down they will automatically give you some sort of mini-appetizer and there is a 500yen cover charge to enter the place.  Well worth it...

Fairly long bar counter if you come in alone.

Krishuna is on the 2nd floor of this building and on the outskirts of Golden-Gai.  After squeezing into all those tiny little shops it was great to find something big and relaxing... the seats were super soft and the service great.  Seems they have belly dancing and events here thru the month.  I'll definitely be back!

Shop: Krishuna (Near Shinjuku Golden-Street)

Shop Website: http://krishuna.com/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13045737/

Golden Gai Site: http://www.goldengai.net/shop/f/02/

Address J: 東京都新宿区歌舞伎町1-1-5 パレスビル202

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Kabukicho 1-1-5, 2nd Floor.
MAP:

View Larger Map