SHIBUYA: Nepalico Nepalese Cuisine in the shadows of Cerulean Tower Hotel

Nepalico... it all started from this one text...

As you can see from my Foodie Blog going to Indian or Nepalese restaurants is a rarity for us but after Mari's very positive reaction to Nepalico's curry lunch set I had to check it out!

Daily special was Keema Curry for 850yen that includes Salad, Mini-Chai and large portion of rice if you prefer~.  Great to see a spot open til 3pm!  Can avoid the lunch rush in busy Shibuya...

Mari recommended both the Keema Curry lunch and the A-Set Lunch with 3 curries... more Menu pics here.

Lunch set salad... sweet dressing... very tasty.

Mini-Chai was very mini but cinnamon sweetness went so well with the curry.

Mari's Keema Lunch set arrived first... she went for Spicy Level 3 (hottest).  But there was a very gentle taste to this... Keema always gives me an impression of an overwhelming flavor but this was a very nice change.  She asked for a small serving of rice.

 My "Dal Bhat Nonveg" A Lunch set arrives... sorry if I get this wrong... small dish of softly seasoned potatoes, spicy chicken curry and finally a soupy bean dish.  Declined the large and went for a normal portion of rice.  As with the Keema the curry wasn't overbearing and the taste won't linger on in your mouth for hours afterwards....  a nice dish.

Chicken Curry...

Seasoning sauce?

Potato Curry.

Interior was comfortable and service came with a friendly smile throughout the meal.  There is some counter seating in case you go alone.

And we closed with a sweet lassi... oishii!

Mari's circular creation... think me helping with her English stressed her out a bit.

Over a great spot and service to match.  The owner who took care of us is on Facebook too :).

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000582379191

Shop: Nepalico Dalbhat and Cafe

Location: JR Shibuya Station... shadows of the Cerulean Hotel. 

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13116418/

Shop Website: http://www.nepalico.com/

Address J: 東京都渋谷区桜丘町30-18 メイサ南平台 １Ｆ

Address E:  Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Sakuragaoka-cho 30-18

MAP:

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ROPPONGI: FREY's Famous Pizzeria... and former Savoy Pizzeria Chef resurfaces!

There was a time when I was a lunch regular at Savoy Pizzeria in Azabu Juban not only because of the great pizzas but also due to one of the friendliest Pizza Chefs in Tokyo... Mr. Yamaguchi (as pictured in the video above).  One day he disappeared and its been about two years since I last saw him.  My frequency to Savoy came to a halt and Savoy pizzeria slowly left my lunch time wanderings...

...i randomly picked up Tokyo Calender featuring Pizzeria's around Tokyo and noticed a familiar face... yup, it was Mr. Yamaguchi... opened up his own shop in April 2011.  So this day I went for a visit!

In the shadows of Tokyo Midtown and steps from the posh Ritz Carlton Tokyo... located in a quiet back street just a min or two from Roppongi Crossing.

Yamaguchi-san greeted me with a familiar friendly smile as I stepped into Frey's.  Quick chit-chat to catch up to what he has been up to then it was time for one of his great Pizzas!

I looked at the menu... looked at Yamauchi-san... asked for the Osusume (recommended) and he responded "Marinara-Deshyo" (still remembers my preference of Pizza's).  Customer service for ya!

Lunch salad came out... crisp and fresh.

And so it arrives... Hint of garlic and something I don't normally see on Pizza's...

... a tiny Tomato.

There are 2 counter seats facing the Yamaguchi-san at work... the best view.

More pics of the great food here:

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13124749/dtlphotolst/1/

Tiny tomato's in the sauce...

No smoking... always a welcome sight for me :).

Counter seating... the restaurant was immaculate.  Very clean and comfortable.

And just a few tables for parties of 4.  More interior shots here: 

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13124749/dtlphotolst/3/

Closed my meal with an Espresso on the house... this shop values its customers.

Overall a great pizzeria and definitely a spot that I'll share with my friends... and with a highly ranked foodie website ranking of 3.76! Way to go Yamaguchi-san~.

Shop: FREY' Famous Pizzeria

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13124749/

Review in Japanese: http://roppongi.keizai.biz/headline/2324/ 

Address J: 東京都港区六本木4-5-15

Address E: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Roppongi 4-5-15

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UENO: TGIFridays... 50% off Happy Hour 4-7pm after the Zoo! 7:30pm Bar-tending Show :)

After a long day of checking out the new Panda's at Ueno Zoo we were in search of Happy Hour... But could there possibly be a TGIF in Ueno?

YES!!

Bar counter was slightly larger than Roppongi or Harajuku.

Whats great about this spot was all the sofa seating... even around the bar area.  Way more relaxing than Roppongi TGIF.

50% off the entire drink menu from 4-7pm.

We arrived at an early 5pm and were joined by only a few others at the bar plus some foreign families sitting for dinner in booths....

But as 7pm approached the bar on a Tuesday night began to fill-up... AND at exactly 7:30pm the Bartender Show began!

Don't think these guys would place in any bar-tending championship but they gave a great show.

Finally 5 free drinks for customers and a b-day song plus sundae for one lucky lady.  If its your b-day don't forget to show them this Gnavi COUPON for a free Sundae Present!

If you just want something light or on the cheap just order the Friday's Fries 250yen!  

Service is great at most Friday's but this shop went the extra mile.  The Bartenders were very attentive and overly polite.  Would highly suggest taking friends or family to this spot... much more quiet than TGIF Roppongi and layout seemed a bit more spacious and relaxing than TGIF Harajuku.

Shop: TGIF Ueno

Hotpepper Website: http://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000010961/

Gnave Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g572207/

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131101/13028111/

Address J:  東京都台東区上野4-9-6 ナガフジビル本館 ２Ｆ

Address E:  Tokyo, Daito-ku, Ueno 4-9-6  , NagaFuji Bldg 2F

MAP: 

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Don't forget to check out the Panda's at UENO ZOO just steps away... a great value!

SHIN-NIHONBASHI/KANDA: Cul De Sac 980yen Roast Beef as see on TV! BUT all beef no Smiles.

Another entry on my list of restaurants to try after watching one of my favorite Sunday after noon shows Kings Brunch... lunch segment featured a giant slab of Roast Beef for a reasonable 980yen!  Finally made plans and gave it a go!  As you can see in this picture (shot of one of the waiters) the staff never smiled... just glared at you.

The ONLY thing served for lunch is Roast Beef so they'll just ask if you would like Coffee or Tea after your meal... quick and easy.  In and out for 980yen.

Nice bottle of tap water...

One slice per lunch goer... nothing special here and no pleasant refills.

Salad was great... first time to see couscous mixed in.

And it arrives!  Nice chunky piece of Roast Beef...

Overall Cul De Sac's roast beef was simply just a hunk of meat... I assume its hard to find roast beef on a regular basis and most of us in Japan go bonkers for it... but at the end of the day it was simply a slab of meat that really didn't stand out.  Tenderness or flavor was not consistent throughout... perhaps its a quality issue.  I didn't have the urge to lean over and eat my friends Roast Beef either... doubt I'll have cravings for Cul-de-Sac's beef anytime soon.  But eh... for 980yen it was a deal.

The best part of the meal was this banana chiffon cake! Fluffy, moist and baked to perfection.

After lunch earl gray tea followed to close the meal.  Think there was something special about this tea... one of the female lunch goers asked for the brand.

Some outside seating...

We were seated outside so no shots of the interior but you can click HERE.  The two Chefs were too busy checking out my friends breasts to say the traditional "irrashaimasse (welcome)" as we entered and staff never smiled as they assisted us thru the entire meal.  Overall service kinda sucked and roast beef just too mediocre to merit another visit.  If you want a stunning Roast Beef Lunch then please give Fortnum & Mason a try in Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi... that was perfection. 

Shop: Cul De Sac

Location: Shin-Nihonbashi, Kanda area (One stop from Tokyo Station)

Shop Website: http://www.id3.jp/cul/index.php

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1302/A130202/13103897/

Address J: 東京都中央区日本橋本石町4-4-16

Address E: Tokyo, Chuo-Ku, Nihonbashi, Hongokucho
MAP:

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