NERIMA-KASUGACHO: Hawaiian Bar OHANA - A little Aloha on the Oedo-Line..

Brand new Hawaiian Bar opened up on the Oedo Line (Nerima-Kasugacho Station)... just 21 minutes from Shinjuku Station.  

Daily Hawaiian drinks specials by Bartender/Chef George.

Original surf painting inside by a female artist.

George behind the counter.  Moved to Hawaii when he was 8, went to Mid-Pac and now back in Tokyo sharing a bit of Aloha at this bar.  Felt like I was in Hawaii talking to a local... cool guy.

Primo!  So so smooth.

Light snacks on da house.

A MUST!  Edamame beans sauteed in garlic.

Gin based drink... very good.

Nightly special soup... Minestrone on tap tonight.

Owner behind the counter.  Family was in Hawaii over 100yrs ago... If you want a whisky/alcohol thats not at the bar just let Nakayama-san know and he'll add to the collection just for you.  Great guy...

http://meisha.cocolog-nifty.com/honbu/2011/02/post-afc6.html 

Quick shot with a few regulars...  Overall this place was so relaxing.  Great local Hawaiian music, interior was so comfortable and there is also a small room with 2 sofa's for a party of 4-6.  I'd definitely recommend Ogo's in Akasaka for dinner but if you want a Hawaiian bar to hang out in then there is nothing better than OHANA.  

Shop: Hawaiian Bar Ohana

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ohana-Hawaiian-bar/236136816449536?v=info&sk=info

A little background: http://meisha.cocolog-nifty.com/honbu/2011/02/post-afc6.html

Bartenders Blog: http://ameblo.jp/da808stinger/entry-10895084886.html

Address J: 東京都練馬区春日町3-34-21

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Kasugacho 3-34-21

MAP:

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OIZUMIGAKUEN: Yakiniku Kiyomitsu... friendly friendly in the burbs~

Invite from my childhood buddy Scott to have some great Yakiniku in Oizumi-Gakuen (on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line).  Didn't take many pics but looking at the wall there were in excess of 20+ signature plates from celebrities that have visited this shop. 

Cow Tongue~... 

Kalbi (800yen) and Roosu (900yen).... Definitely have to recommend the lower ranking Kalbi vs the Top Grade 1,850yen selection.  From what I've heard seems Japanese charge lower amounts for imported beef vs the domestically raised stuff.  But it was super tender and great.

Namuru veggies.

Kimchee

1,600yen Jinro bottle that will be waiting for you if your party can't finish it all in one sitting.

Overall this place was great... its very rare in Tokyo to have diners sitting next to you to start up a conversation but in the burbs there is a friendliness that seems to be all but lost in the big city.  

Shop: Yakiniku Kiyomitsu

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132103/13054080/

Address J: 東京都練馬区西大泉3-27-22

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Nishi Oizumi 3-27-33
MAP:

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YOTSUYA/KOJIMACHI: Japanese breakfast at DENNY'S!

My 2 weeks visiting family in the US for Christmas/New Years got me into the regular routine of having a normal breakfast every morning... a great highlight and start to a new day.   But in Japan... who goes out to breakfast? And where to go?

Brand new Denny's opened up near by so off for some J-breakfast.  

Breakfast menu:  http://www.dennys.jp/dny/menu/dennys/morning/index.html

Thats it!  600yen combo with salmon, miso soup, natto (I asked for Tofu Salad) and some seaweed

Miso soup on the light bland side...

Pretty sure this salmon was frozen moments before..

If you don't like Natto (stinky beans) thats included in the combo you can switch it out with Tofu Salad or Half-Boiled Egg (Hanjuku-Tamago).

Overall it hit the spot and not heavy on the body.  You'll randomly spot Denny's in Tokyo so if you want to try some nice Japanese breakfast for a reasonable 600yen give it a go!

AZABU JUBAN: Izakaya Ajito... Cheap eats with generous volume!

Got a buddy thats a die hard eat out every night kinda person and he posted a few pics of Ajito on his Facebook page... had to give it a go~.  Its moments from the intersection hidden in a back alley.

Fresh daily specials all at very reasonable prices.

Long counter seating, tables and also tatami seating... seems there is a 2nd floor too.

Chicken Nanba... basically boneless fried chicken topped with Japanese mayo.

Fried Tofu~... 

And since it was a very cold December night I had to go for the Oden... lots of tasty stuff inside.  The daikon (white radish) was so juicy and tasty (that round looking item).

We also ordered a salad that was massive... Service was mediocre with no friendly smiles and one of the waiters kept itching himself... hmm... 

Its an easy time... I'd have to say this is a spot to gather for friends, not quite a date location.  Interior was rather musty and the atmosphere seemed kinda down... maybe it was the middle aged waiters that didn't seem to enjoy what they were doin.

Shop: Izakaya Ajito - Azabu Juban

Shop Website: http://ajito-azabu.jp/

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g796219/ (With Coupon!)

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130702/13093263/

Address J: 東京都港区麻布十番4-1-4

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Azabu Juban 4-1-4
MAP:

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MEGURO: Hungry Heaven Hamburger... Holy Moly absolutely stunning!

Random day at Meguro for a little Christmas shopping and where to go for lunch?  I had a vague memory of a burger shop in this area... so went to my favorite foodie site to see whats good in Meguro. 

And there it was... HUNGRY HEAVEN ranked #15 in Meguro.

Always nice to have a little direction when it comes to BIG Tokyo burgers.

Every order comes with a Drink and if you choose a large portion of french fries.

After looking at this Photo I had to go for the Grill Grill Grill Burger~.  But honestly I was also torn between the Chili burger and the Mozzarella Tomato Sauce burger too~...

I couldn't believe it! They were playing The Smiths the entire time... great stuff.

Holy Moly and it arrives... it was so complete.  

Grilled Tomato and Grilled Onions (First time I've seen this available in a burger here), 2 large pieces of bacon, tomato sauce, chewy mozzarella cheese and the incredibly juicy patty.  And... even the buns were so prefect.

A messy shot but the waitress directed me to use 2 paper holders for this burger... it was soooooo JUICY!  This might have just became my absolute favorite burger shop ousting The Great Burger in Harajuku.

All this for only 900yen... an absolute deal.  Oh click HERE for more burger pics.

Even around 2pm it was a full house but the rotation was quick so worth the wait if you visit Hungry Heaven.  I can't stress how gooooood this place was... I'll definitely be back to try the other burgers!!

SHOP: Hungry Heaven (Meguro Branch)

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1316/A131601/13119994/

Sister Branch: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1322/A132203/13061659/

Address J: 東京都目黒区下目黒1-2-22 セザール目黒 2F

Address E: Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Kami-Meguro 1-2-22, 2nd Floor.
MAP:

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