EKODA: Arteria Bakery... Melon flavored bread is the most famous... never a fan but loved the Chocolate Version!

In all my 15 years of living in Japan this is the only item I continue to avoid... melon flavored bread was just never my thing. Its like pineapple pizza... some things just don't mix well.

But today I spotted a Chocolate Melon Bread and being a huge chocolate fan I gave it a try... also just wanted to support this new bakery.

The manager... 

A little crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside like a donut.  

Wasn't too bad!

Leave you with this stunning Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 50° Aniversario in the neighborhood... this owner has a few exotics in the burbs.  Wonder what he does.

Restaurant: Arteria Bakery Ekoda Branch

Tabelog Foodie: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132101/13188032/

Address J: 東京都練馬区旭丘2-45-2

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Sakaecho 2-45-2
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/X1VYUaec8eL2

アルテリアベーカリー 江古田店, パン , メロンパン, アップルパイ, Japan, Japanese, foodie, sweets, breads, canon s120, Tokyo, 

IKEBUKURO: Suta (Stamina) Meshi for a plate of late night dark Japanese Curry!

Wanted something on my way home and thought I'd pass on the high calorie Ramen... and went for a possibly high calorie Pork Katsu Curry!

Everything Pictured!

Volume wasn't so much for the 660yen price point but it hit the spot.  A nice rich flavored dark curry.

Free seasoned pickle toppings...

Includes Miso Soup.

And if you like free garlic! My last stop before home so why not give it a try and mixed a little into the curry.

I leave you with a frequent visitor to my home... the neighborhood cat.

Restaurant: Suta Meshi Don Don 

Tabelog Foodie: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13138273/

Address J: 豊島区南池袋1-22-5　ニューナカノビル2F・3F

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Minami Ikebukuro 1-22-5, 2F and 3F
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/bC1LtxsRyBk

情熱のすためしどんどん 池袋東口LABI横店,  すためし,　池袋東口駅前店, Japan, Japanese, Tokyo, Curry, cheap, canon s120, beef bowl, steak, hamburger

SHIBUYA: Yakitori Marukin for 30minutes of all you can drink "nomihoudai" for 299yen! Or $5 per hour! Very friendly shop.

Two friends from Hawaii went to the other Marukin near Shibuya Tsutaya and had only great things to say about this place... so they invited me to check it out with them!

This is all you should order here! Negi-Ten Yakitori sticks super juicy and the size of a chicken McNugget.  The other items were tiny and the Okra was so super itty bitty it was shocking... oh my.

The okra was no bigger than the little stick.

ENGLISH MENUS!

My Hawaii Team.

Tsukune with wasabi topping... pretty good.

Tomato wrapped in bacon not so bad... bacon was a bit tough.

Gyoza for 5.

And after all that chicken had to go for some Akami Tuna... very tender almost like Chu-Toro.

As the night went on everyone started talking to eachother in the restaurant... its a very cozy layout with no real barriers between tables. 

Cabbage with super tasty seasoned conbu or seaweed on top.

This is a fun choice... yellow spicy mustard in the holes of this veggie.

Braddah John lighting up the Kobu for my pic.

There was a great selection of self-serve drinks and its so nice not to have to bother the busy waiters.  The perfect spot to just talk to the other diners... everyone was friendly. 

The friendliest waiters this night.

The Kitchen.

I once went to the Shinjuku branch but the layout was more of an L shape and not so easy to chat up others... but really enjoyed this place and I think what made it awesome were the 2 guys from Hawaii.

Restaurant: Yakitori Marukin Shibuya Bunkamura Ave. Branch

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/b1z7a7bj0000/

Marukin Homepage: http://yakitori-marukin.com/

Address J:  東京都渋谷区宇田川町33-12 J＋RビルサイドR 2F

Address E: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Udagawacho 33-12, 2F

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/v9JFEnbAHA42

やきとり○金 渋谷文化村通り店, やきとり○金, 渋谷, 焼き鳥, Japan, Japanese, sake, beer, sour, whiskey, alcohol, skewers, chicken, izakaya, foodie, canon s120, tokyobelly, yelp