AOYAMA GAIENMAE: Subway Sandwich outlets in Japan always leave me hungry... and no meatballs! Ugh :(

I just started working in the Gaienmae/Aoyama area and there are soooooo very few lunch choices in my area... but I stumbled on trusty Subway Sandwich

Looking at the cooking station it seemed so barren... In the US these little containers are really stacked with all kinds of incredients.

There are 2 little tables for 2 outside and 4 tiny tables for 2 inside.

Think most of the lunch goers go for take-out... but if you can score a seat outside its perfect for people watching if the weather is cool.

Located on this huge street across from the BMW dealership.

BMW i3 if you are interested!

Seems like the only thing with any volume is the free Jalapeno topping.  Its such a very sad sight.  CEO Fred DeLuca if you are out there can you bring back the awesome meatball marinara sandwich... I had it back in the day during my time at Lehman Brothers in Tokyo... yup its been forever. 

The volume of veggies at Japan SUBWAY never impresses me and always leaves me scratching my head... I realize my BLT was only 390yen but I really wish they'd pack it with a little more veggies.  If anything the Jalapeno is free... Honestly I picked up a onigiri rice ball and macadamia nut cookie at Seven Eleven on my way back to the office.  

Restaurant: Subway Sandwich Minami Aoyama Gaienmae Branch

Subway Website: http://www.subway.co.jp/index.html

Tabelog Foodie: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1306/A130603/13102978/

Address J: 東京都港区南青山2-26-34 NBM南青山ビル

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Minami Aoyama 2-26-34
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/50h9r

サブウェイ 南青山外苑前店, サンドイッチ, カフェ, 外苑前, Japan, Japanese, fast food, foodie, tokyobelly, panasonic lx5, yelp, Tokyo, Oracle, lunch, cheap,

ROPPONGI AZABU JUBAN: LINCOS produced by Maruetsu Supermarket for a few beers~

After having some lackluster burnt pizza's at CONA Pizzeria in Azabu Juban we ready for a few beers at LINCOS... 

Supermarket beer at very reasonable supermarket prices~

There are 4 round tables located right outside the supermarket that can be used between 7am and 10pm.

Friend bought some cherries from home... the guys had a few Lowenbrau's brewed by Asahi.

The girls bought over some Starbucks from next door. Its really a great space overlooking the entrance to Azabu Juban shopping district... perfect for people watching.  If you are ever in need of a simple spot to drink some budget beers this is a  nice option.

I leave you with a beautiful Bentley Continental parked nearby.

Grocery Store: LINCOS by Maruetsu 

Yahoo Review Website: http://loco.yahoo.co.jp/place/g-iEMkddXCi8o/

Address J: 港区六本木6-11-1

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 6-11-1

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/ju7Zj

リンコス, 六本木ヒルズ,  Japan, Japanese, foodie, beer, import, cheap, grocery store, sony rx100, tokyobelly, Tokyo,

AZABU JUBAN: CONA Pizzeria has arrived to serve burnt pizza's! Run run run away~

I've been a huge fan of the CONA Pizzeria franchise from its very beginning back in mid-2005 with their tiny standing only counter shop but its slowly growing and entering into rent high area's like Roppongi and now Azabu Juban.

Menu's are all a solid 500yen but this is the only shop that tacks on a table charge of 300-500yen per person.  

Bottled wines are 2.500 yen.

All drinks are 500yen

500yen proscuitto... it was just so little and the texture rather tough.  Not soft and tasty like the Ikebukuro branch. As for the presentation I just had to giggle.

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.jp/2012/10/ikebukuro-500yen-pizzeria-cona-has.html

So we entered Cona at 6pm... and it took 50 minutes just for this burnt thin crust pizza to arrive on a not so busy Sunday evening.

Look at that!  Its burnt again....Chorizo Pizza

And more Burnt pizza... out of all the Cona's I've been to (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Roppongi, Ebisu) this place has hands down the worst pizza chef's evah~

Super super picy chorizo gratin topped with cheese.

If anything the chef is very consistent in his skill at burning pizza's.

Let me introduce you to the pizza chef... if you spot him just runaway to the Roppongi Location that's about a 10 minute walk from here.

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.jp/2014/03/roppongi-cona-pizzeria-has-finally.html

The fun part is when you try find the secret door to the hidden restroom.

One positive note... The staff here was incredibly friendly and that part I'll always remember... but as for the pizza and forever waiting times? I won't be returning to this location until they get rid of this chef.  Until then you'll find me at the Roppongi Branch or somewhere in Shibuya.  OH! One last note there were many expat families here so it seems to be kid friendly.

I leave you with a Ferrari 458 right in front of CONA.

Thanks to GROUPON I revisited Azabu Juban Cona on August 9th!  This day there was a very friendly female pizza chef and the pizza's were not burnt!  So I guess it can be a hit and miss here hopefully there will be some consistency going forward.  And this night I discovered a 1,980yen All you can drink wine section for as long as you like!  They serve Carlos Rossi red wine in a barrel.

Restaurant: CONA Pizzeria Azabu Juban Branch

Tabelog Foodie: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130702/13167249/

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/38p9f7zs0000/

Address J: 東京都港区麻布十番1-5-26 ストーク麻布十番

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Azabu Juban 1-5-26
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/bx7HM

CONA 麻布十番店,  コナ, 麻布十番, ピザ, Japan, Japanese, Italian, foodie, sony rx100, tokyobelly, cheap, dinner, lunch, beer, wine, family restaurant, English menu,

IKEBUKURO: Karaoke MAC... wait wait wait... all you can drink price down negotiations a success!

Another night to close out at a Karaoke spot... this time we checked out Karaoke MAC!

We first entered and talked to this guy at the counter... we were looking for a 1 hour all you can drink deal and he quoted 1,500yen.  Friend tried to negotiate to no success so we headed back downstairs.  The guy may have been a part-timer with no flexibility to negotiate.

Karaoke shops usually have sales guys outside trying to lure in customers.  We managed to negotiate the 1,500yen per person to 1,000yen.  If a room is open they want to fill it so bargain them down!

Drink bar

Our super friendly waiter

Click here for the food menu:

http://www.k-mac.jp/menu/index.html

Do's and Don'ts~... 

http://www.k-mac.jp/shop/shop31.html#price

Rooms were new and service was great here.  If you are in the area hit it up.

Restaurant: Karaoke MAC East Ikebukuro Branch

MAC website: http://www.k-mac.jp/shop/shop31.html

Address J: 東京都豊島区東池袋1-41-4　池袋とうきゅうビル4F

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, East Ikebukuro
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/Sblx2

カラオケマック, 池袋, 東口店, 池袋東口店, カラオケ, Japan, Japanese, tokyobelly, sony rx100, foodie, yelp, singing, song, karaoki, cheap, izakaya