NERIMA: La Cigogne French Wine bar hidden in residential area... quirky owner chef but very nice European interior.

Once again I follow friends to their favorite spots... this night to a French restaurant with only 1 employee... the Owner Chef.

He just started the no-smoking policy. 

Our wines this evening ranged from 7,000 - 9,000yen per bottle.  A bit on the high end but both bottles were very nice.

And of course we shared the bottle with the Chef.

Nice texture to the ham.

5 different cheese plate 1,500yen.

Warm hand cloth.

My friend generously took care of the bill but I'm not too sure if I'd return just to drink wine.  We missed the last food order by minutes so could only have a bit of cheese and ham.  But the interior seemed so European to me and very relaxing with the dimly lit lights.

Restaurant: La Cigogne

La Cigogne Website: http://www.geocities.jp/lacigogne627/

Foodie Tabelog Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132102/13017061/

Address J: 東京都練馬区豊玉北5-6-9

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Toyotamakita 5-6-9
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/cVWlY

ラ・シゴーニュ, ワインバー, 練馬, Japan, Japanese, beer, foodie, tokyobelly, #tokyobelly, canon s110, Tokyo, pasta, prosciutto,

IIDABASHI KAGURAZAKA: Le Bretagne Bar a Cidre Restaurant... random find with a massive foodie 4.04 point Top 1000 restaurant in Tokyo! WOW

The six of us were on the hunt to find a nijikai spot and on a Thursday night in Kagurazaka sooooo many of the tiny restaurants condensed into this town were overflowing.  But luckily along one of the tiny side streets we found a place that could accommodate us.

Looks like waiting area outside of the restaurant.

Check out some of the food pics here:

http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130905/13147707/dtlphotolst/1/

Huge selection of Champagnes, wines, beers..

We were evenly split between wine and beers... service was spot on great.

The cheese platter was interesting... just a tiny slice of each and they brought out slices of bread.

FYI bathroom is shared but so clean.

Don't see record player so often anymore...

The friendly staff.  The guy in the middle greeted us at the door and turns out he's half French and half Japanese... the chef peeking out of the kitchen.

According to the foodies on Tabelog dinners average around 8,000 to 10,000yen per person so this place does command a premium.  But they are ranked in the top 1000 restaurants in Tokyo so if you aren't budget conscious then perhaps it would be a great place to visit at least once.  If anything the expansive wine menu should be a treat.

Restaurant: Le Bretagne Bar a Cidre

Le Bretagne Website: http://www.le-bretagne.com/j/bar/

Tabelog Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130905/13147707/

Address J: 東京都新宿区神楽坂3-3-6

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Kagurazaka 3-3-6
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/DwWc8
ル ブルターニュ バー ア シードル レストラン, フレンチ, 飯田橋, 神楽坂, 久高章郎, Japan, Japanese, French, quarter, sony rx100, foodie, tokyobelly, wine, champagne, dining, fine, seafood, dinner,

SHIBUYA: HIRO Wine Bar for 60min/1,000yen All-You-Can-Drink beer and wine!

My MBA classmate was in town on some business and needed to kill an hour before dinner... so check out Tabelog and found Hiro!  Entrance had some cushy seats that flowed into the back end with counter and round hi-table seating.

Draft beer for the 1,000yen 60min drinks was Heartland... not too bad.  Other items were red/white wine, soft drinks and wine cocktails. 

Just ordered one Pate but it was as small as a 500yen coin... wish there was more volume.

View from our counter seating facing outside was this... 

Ended with a few glasses of wine.

I'd suggest sitting at the bar counter to watch the Chef do his magic.

Overall it wasn't too bad in a town that usually charges 500yen per drink on top of a "Otoshi" fee... but as usual the dangers of all-you-can-drink (Nomihoudai) is you try a bit too hard.  Cozy spot, clean and fashionable spot... I'd highly suggest it if you are in the mood to drink more than 3 drinks.

Shop: HIRO Wine Bar

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13104399/

Address J: 東京都渋谷区道玄坂2-6-7

Address E: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, dogenzaka 2-6-7, 2F
MAP:

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ROPPONGI: Grand Hyatt... Executive Fight Night Food!

Attended a great Boxing Charity event sponsored by Ginja Ninja.

http://ginjaninjas.com/charity/

First dish was ok... think I liked the long crispy bacon the most.  Two boiled shrimp, one bacon, a few seasoned veggies... and a hint of salad on a bed of salmon.  Oh, not a salmon lover but this was good.

Soup is soup... tomato base?

Meat!  Who doesn't love a nice tender solid flavorful piece of meat after a long week!  The highlight of the 4 course meal :)

Fresh strawberries, vanilla ice cream, sweet pastry stick...  This was so good.  And my neighbor left early so had two plates.  Yeah, I have a huge sweet tooth.

Overall a solid event that raised great of money for "Run for the Cure" charity. 

"Run for the Cure(r) Foundation is a Japanese-registered NPO with the mission to eradicate breast cancer in Japan as a life-threatening disease through education, timely screening and treatment."

Location: Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Production: http://ginjaninjas.com/charity/

Grand Hyatt Tokyo: http://tokyo.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-tokyo-grand/index.jsp?null

Address J: 東京都港区六本木3-10-6

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 3-10-6
MAP:

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