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: 

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MARUNOUCHI: Tsubame Grill Revisted! ROLLED Cabbage for Lunch.

Check out my previous entry for details about location etc.

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2011/02/marunouchi-tsubame-grill-place-for.html

Just had to share this video of the guy making Rolled Cabbage...  We normally go for the Hamburger selections at Tsubame Grill but wanted to try something lighter.

Rolled Cabbage with Rice or Bread 890yen.. if you want to add the Tomato salad then its 1,100yen.

I went for the bread this time... thought about dipping it into the cabbage soup.

Hello Tomato!

Rolled cabbage was excellent... great balance of veggies and meat. Highly recommended!!

For address details go HERE:

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2011/02/marunouchi-tsubame-grill-place-for.html

The Pantry by Homeworks: Take Out Chili-Burger! A pass but tasty if Free!!

With most of my office escaping to overseas location the few of us remaining were treated to a nice Homeworks burger for lunch!

1,250yen Chili Burger Lunch Set... Menu here http://www.thepantry.jp/marunouchi/delivery/

Cole Slaw... not that good... would prefer a small salad or potato salad.

Great french fries for sure.

The Chili Burger!

Yeah... really... this burger reminded me of this Wendys commercial for sure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug75diEyiA0 .... I mean... really, its smaller than my iPhone.

This tiny burger hit the spot and tasted pretty good but the volume surely lacked.  I think the tasty part was very much affected by the fact the company paid for the burgers... now would I order one with my own money... NOPE... i'd 100% pass and go for the amazing and absolutely stunning Chili Burger at The Great Burger http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2010/01/harajuku-great-burger.html

Shop: The Pantry by Homeworks

Shop Website: http://www.thepantry.jp/  (Roppongi Hills and Marunouchi eat-in Locations)

All the address details are on the above website in ENGLISH!  

Foodie Website for Marunouchi Shop:  http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130102/13018904/

Foodie Website for Roppongi Hills Shop - Ratings are hella low at 2.96pts... phew:  http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13005462/

OSAKA Umeda City: Sakura Okonomiyaki... our favorite spot in "Shin Umeda Shokudo Gai"

Thanks to my company Mari and I escaped the radio activity in Tokyo for a few days... Tokyo is great but there was no milk, water, eggs, bread or instant foods anywhere to be found but the rolling blackouts convinced us to get away for a few days.

Osaka is truly a giant inexpensive kitchen compared to Tokyo.  The food was easily 30% less but beer prices were the same.  Mari had a craving for Okonomiyaki and Tako Yaki... of course you can't leave Osaka without enjoying these two famous treats.

We walked into a big maze of small restaurants in Umeda and randomly searched for a place that was nicely filled... SAKURA was it with its nice counter seating and view of the chef at work.

We ordered the Buta (Pork) -Tama and...

The Yaki Udon... later regretted this because it was basically fried Udon in Okonomiyaki Sauce... doubt this cost more than 100yen to make at home.  

Of course... Beeru.

The Okonimyaki Arrived... now the best thing about this is they cut up and mince the cabbage so you don't get big uneven chunks in the serving.  This was soooo tasty.  Seems they use batter, egg, cabbage and pork... thats it!  But why don't you watch this episode of Cooking with Dog! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeUHy0A1GF0

(If you love Japanese food you must watch this Dog Series)

Little video of how to cut up the Okonimiyaki in easy bite size bits.

Don't for get to add these toppings... first dried seaweed?  It was so tasty.

Dried fish powder... 

And something I've only seen in Osaka... Red Pepper! This gave it a nice kick.

Yeah, I managed to put all the toppings on my little plate... yum.

View of the chef preparing everyones Okonomiyaki on his own hot plate.

Oh, they give you a most paper washcloth, chop sticks and a metal scooper.

The Yaki Udon arrived... yeah, don't order this.  Go for a few orders of the Okonomiyaki.

There are actually two Sakuras in this little alley... if one is full just check out the other one.  Counter seating so easy to wander in alone.  If you need to just pick ONE spot to eat Okonimiyaki in Osaka I'd highly recommend this place... no long lines and the food was great plus service most excellent and friendly. Also! They have an English Menu with Pictures!!!

Shop: Okonomiyaki Sakura

Location: Umeda Station in Osaka

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/k301813/ with 10% off Coupon

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270101/27006469/

Address J: 大阪府大阪市北区角田町9-10

Address E: Osaka-fu, Osaka-shi,  Kita-ku, Kakuda-cho 9-10

MAP:

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MARUNOUCHI: Tsubame Grill... the place for Hamburger Steaks!

There really aren't many places in Tokyo to get a nice hamburger... but if you don't mind no buns then Tsubame Grill (they are located here and there) is a nice alternative.  See that red round tomato... oishii.

One Tsubame Hamburg Steak 1,160 yen for me aka "Hamburg Steak with Beef Stew + Rice or Bread".... and Mari will take the Wafu (Japanese Style) Hamburg Steak 1,000 yen  aka "Hamburg Steak with Grated Raddish and Soy Sauce + Rice or Bread."  I'd suggest plopping down an extra 210yen for the Tomato Salad set!

Hello Tomato Ball!

There is a small amount of Tuna salad hidden in a pocket that was once the stem of the vegetable.

Mine was wrapped in tin foil and baked in beef stew!

There it is.  The flavor is very heavy so if you want a light meal then go for the Wa-fu burger.

All Tsubame Grills layouts are basically the same... noticed the menu was in both English and Japanese.

The Daily special only 10!  Baked Oysters.

Shop: Tsubame Grill Marunouchi 

Station: Tokyo Station is the closest (Same property as the Marunouchi Hotel)

Shop Website:  http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a186413/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1302/A130201/13020779/

Address J: 東京都千代田区丸の内1-6-4 丸の内オアゾ ５Ｆ

Address E:  Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Marunouchi 1-6-4, Marunouchi Oazo 5F

MAP:

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YURAKUCHO/MARUNOUCHI: The Peninsula Boutique and Cafe (LUNCH)

If you must spend 1,000yen for lunch then there is no place better to drop your bills off at then Peninsula Tokyo... B1 Boutique and Cafe.

990yen  Lunch Menu... huge window from 10:30 - 19:30.  It was our first time here so tried the basic Salad & Soup of the day and Pasta of the day.  FULL LUNCH MENU HERE

Nice fresh flower greets you at the table... we poked it... yup, freshness.

The cup is a tiny teacup about the size of a baby's clenched fist... filled with thick mushroom soup. Salad was very basic but we weren't there for anything heavy.

Seafood Pasta alla Genovese with some...

...cool looking baby squid! and clams! flat green veggies!  Flavor was very light and refreshing.

Fresh baked bread... free refills.

Looks like there is a 10% service charge but a bit of extra bread easily covers that cost.  The meal won't fill you up but easily leave you satisfied.  A 990 yen well spent.

Backside of Peninsula Tokyo Hotel...

Shop: The Peninsula Boutique and Cafe

Nearest Station: Hibiya or Yurakucho Station.

Shop Website: Click Here

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130102/13043019/

Address J:  東京都千代田区有楽町1-8-1 ザ・ペニンシュラ東京 Ｂ１Ｆ

Address E:  Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Yurakucho 1-8-1

MAP:

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