HOYA: Dario Italian Restaurant during Coronavirus... the Gorgonzola Penne was delicious! (Sony RX100)

With coronavirus dipping below 50 for the past few days its about that time to start supporting local restaurants!  This night it was Dario Italian restaurant in the suburbs of Hoya on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line.   BUT!  We had to leave at 8pm.... general rule for all restaurants that want to recieve 500,000 yen monthly support from the government. 

Not much of an olive fan but this was quite mild.... very nice. 

Also not a wine guy but this was so smooth with a slight sweetness.... perfect for a novice.

Lama Di Pietra Puglia Chardonnay 2018 for 3,200 yen!

This gorgonzola pasta was sooooo yum.  

The regular sitting on the far end chatted us up and we all had a mutual friend... Pilot Kawika.

But he sure did had a potty mouth.... very old school Japanese man.  

The owner Mr. Dario is multi-lingual and talked to the 3 of us the whole time.  If you need a cozy friendly restaurant you gotta visit here!  

My Last Visit: http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2017/11/hoya-dario-italian-restaurant-friendly.html

Restaurant: Dario

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianBar-Dario-914459575328707/

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1328/A132801/13192076/

Address J: 東京都西東京市東町3-5-13 斎木ビル 1F

Address E: Tokyo, Nishi Tokyo, Higashicho 3-5-13

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/FXZNoNc4zZXC2CSJA

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NAKANO: FINNS Mix Bar... super friendly staff and such a cozy bar. A must if you are ok with Coronavirus (Sony RX100)

Friend of mine who runs his own home improvement company is always out and about thru this whole coronavirus ordeal... I turned him down several time for drinks but being stuck at home for about 2 months I just had to get out for some alcohol.  Hit up one of his regular spots! FINNS just a few minutes from Nakano Station. 

He had Okinawan Awamori Zampa on keep!  This would make me miss my last train.

1st floor at an early 9pm.... it would soon fill up.

2nd floor has this great hand painted Supreme x LV x Daisy Duck

Only finger foods here.  Shumai dumplings. 

1,000 yen menu included ramen, pasta, udon, fried rice, curry, etc.

500 yen had Edamame, mixed nuts, shumai, beef stew pie... 

Interesting... the staff generally sits with you and pours your alcohol.  Its very common at girls or hostess bars but rarely see men pouring alcohol. 

The super cool manager.  Asked if he was going to close temporarily due to coronavirus but he said if someone gets infected then he will.  Otherwise the $5,000 a month the Tokyo government is offering just can't cover rent and salary. 

Al you can drink plans 1 hour 3,500 yen or 2 hours 4,500 yen. 

Shots? Not for me but seemed a bit pricy. 

Here comes another bottle of Awamori and me missing my train.

They have Karaoke.

Only female staff I think... she eventually came to our table to chat and sing Karaoke. 

FINNS bar was just so friendly and welcom

ing.  If you sit on 1F you can definitely chat up others but if you want more of a comfy sit down area then 2F is for you!  I will definitely be back soon!

Restaurant Bar: FINNS Nakano

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131902/13228343/

Homepage:  http://finns.jp/

Address J: 東京都中野区中野3-35-5

Address E: Tokyo, Nakano-ku, Nakano 3-35-5
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/EKFXds13sAmc5Q5A6

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KICHIJOJI: Iseya Yakitori... sure was underwhelming. Inokashira Park walk during Coronavirus time... spooky. (Sony RX100)

Its been nearly 2 months since I visited one of my favorite foodie town's in Kichijoji due to Coronavirus #StayHome mandate by the Tokyo governor.  BUT!  Took a chance on this perfectly sunny breezy Tokyo Friday... and it was mobbed. 

Ordered a few sticks of Yakitori at the famous Iseya shop that borders Kichijoji park.  

Rather suspicious as all the rare meat was sitting in the heat... shouldn't this be stored in a glass frigerated case you often see at sushi shops?

Picked a nice quiet bench and here we go! BUT there were so many people walking around the park and more so at the huge Kichijoji Shopping Mall (Shotengai)... Spoooooky. 

Always a favorite Bonjiri (Chicken Butt / Tail)... 

300 yen potato corokke was yum!

Filled with mashed potato and ground beef. 

Friend ordered this... think it was pork fat that had a strange spongy texture.  Yuckooo

188 yen Budweiser from nearby Don Quijote and a Hydroflask coozie... drinking in public is OK in Japan.

Lots of cute little ducks in the pond. 

A pair of huge military aircraft flying over the park. 

Overall I don't like Iseya that much and been to both branches.  

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2014/01/kichijoji-iseya-yakitori-is-this-place.html

If you want consistently good Yakitori then you gotta hit up the Torikizoku franchise with all menu items priced 298 yen. https://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/search?q=torikizoku

Restaurant: Iseya Yakitori Park Branch

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1320/A132001/13005878/

Address J: 東京都武蔵野市吉祥寺南町1-15-8

Address E: Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Minamicho 1-15-8
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/DpMMugXQKr9N17RZ7

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