OMOTESANDO: IL Pacioccone 1,000yen Lunch (Back again for Mari's favorite pizza).

And we were back again to check out or favorite Italian lunch spot in all of Tokyo... IL Pacioccone!  If you scan my blog you will find several entries.  Had a 1:45pm reservation on a beautiful Sunday.

White asparagus imported from Italy.

Specials of the day

Always enjoy the light Mozzarella and Tomato dish.

And it arrived... Mari's favorite pizza.  Toppings include olive, boiled egg, prosciutto and mushrooms.

But unfortunately for our last 2 visits our pizza dough has been undercooked... on the outside it seemed normal but under the toppings the dough was very mushy.  Mari mentioned it to the waiter and they immediately took it back...

While we waited on the new pizza we started off with a great pasta dish on the daily specials menu.

And so the 2nd Pizza arrived... cooked to perfection.

A rose for Mari.

And a nice desert to end the meal.  Was a custard/pudding based dish.

Ask for a take-out box if you can't finish the pizza.

Another nice lunch in Omotesando.

Here are some previous entries:  ONE  TWO THREE

LOCATION: Omotesando (On Roppongi-Dori near Monsoon Cafe/Gas Station)

Website: http://www.quals.jp/il_pacioccone/index.html

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1306/A130602/13004717/

Address J:  東京都港区南青山6-15-8
Address E:  Tokyo, Minato-ku, Minami-Aoyama 6-15-8
MAP:

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OIZUMIGAKUEN: Heijouen Yakiniku... great Kalbi!

A favorite spot for  Mari's family and the place to go for Kalbi.  Its in a very residential Oizumi Gakuen but definitely worth the trip.

Menu only in Japanese but a few pictures to help you... 

As with most Yakiniku spots they have the standard stuff..

Draft and Bottle beer options... It was a Monday so we went light on the beer and shared an Yebisu.

They used "sumi" instead of gas... 

Side order of Kimchee.

I think this was the regular Kalbi... which was sooo soft.

And this was the Wagyu Kalbi for +100yen but it had a tougher texture.

There is a special red pepper paste for a bit of spice.

Very filling bibimbap...

Yeah... was a great dinner on a random Monday in May.  Love this girl.

Reflections... how do we get a pic of the both of us...

Then the waitress offered to take a pic... Arigato~.

Heijouen Yakiniku... interior was VERY spacious. Nothing like central Tokyo.

Shop: Heijouen Yakiniku, Oizumi Gakuen Shop.

Restaurant Website: http://www.heijouen.co.jp/

Gnavi Website: http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g443702/ with 10% off printable coupon.

Foodie Website:  http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132103/13009821/

Address J: 東京都練馬区大泉町6-1-8

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Oizumi Machi 6-1-8

MAP:

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SHAKUJI KOEN/OIZUMI GAKUEN: Patisserie Salon De The La Primeur

After a great lunch, walk around the park we ended the day at this random Patisserie.  There was an interesting theme at this restaurant... somebody here really loves Hawaii.  There were a few different Hawaii dishes like Loco Moco etc. and definitely some Hawaii influenced pancakes.

Mari's drink... I think it was raspberry... American size and so tasty.

Went for a fruity shake... yup, everything here tastes American.

Mari's strawberry cake arrives... there was pudding hidden inside the middle.  This was tasty.

Noticed a giant green HUMMER outside... owners ride.

Lots of custom car cakes.

Overall a wonderful place to have cakes, shakes, drinks and there was a very casual BIG food menu too.  The bakery is behind the cake showcase so you can see some of the action... its all fresh!

Shop: Patisserie Salon De The La Primeur

Location: Oizumi Gakuen Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line)

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132105/13089719/

Shop Website: http://www.la-primeur.jp/

Address J: 東京都練馬区下石神井1-2-8

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Shimo Shakuji 1-2-8

MAP:

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OIZUMI GAKUEN: Restaurant Chez Vous... outskirts of Tokyo for lunch :)

People living in the outskirts of Tokyo 23-wards usually head into central areas like Ginza, Omotesando, Roppongi, Azabu, Aoyama etc. for dining, shopping, hanging out etc.  Well this day I headed out of central Tokyo near Mari wouldn't have to commute so far from her town.

She wanted to check out this Italian restaurant that just opened.  Lunch starts at 980 yen and includes a drink/mini salad.

Great little salad... we both went for the Iced Tea.  Mari's in the background... helping her with a few English words and resume.

This was my selection... home made sausage pasta with fresh tomatoes.  How could I pass up home made sausages... I mean where in Tokyo can you find this except at Bernd's Bar in Roppongi.  But after a few bites we decided that this could easily be made at home... nothing really special about this.

This was Mari's minced seafood in tomato cream sauce... this was SO GOOD!!!  Imagine meatballs but made out of seafood.  The flavor was a mix of crab and lobster. The volume was nothing like you get in central Tokyo.  Oishi!  This is selection "C Lunch" on the menu.

Interior was very spacious.  What I noticed the most was that this place had a staff of 6... Nobody really looked part-time.  All men, all dressed in white uniforms.

Ask for fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

Mari loves a hint of spice... ask for this if you need a little kick.  But overall this place was a great value... I wouldn't bother with A,B or the days special D... Just go for "C" Lunch, no regrets.

Shop: Chez Vous

Station: Oizumi Gakuen (Seibu Ikebukuro-Line).

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132103/13034163/

Address J: 東京都練馬区東大泉2-7-1

Address E: Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Higashi Oizumi 2-7-1

MAP:

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OSAKA: Okonomiyaki Kiji... the friendliest master (owner) in Town... thank you's all around!

Mari wanted to try one of the most famous Okonomiyaki spots in all of Osaka... so we were off to KIJI. After the 1.5hr wait standing in line we were a bit tired... arrived at 8pm and got inside around 9:30pm.

Waiting area even on the inside... seats for about 8 waiting people.

There are two nice tables for 4 in the back... you can take off your shoes.

Little scooper for the Okonomiyaki

Mari waiting patiently... we ordered 3!!

Beeru after a long wait... smiles all around :)

Had to join my girl with a cold beer too.

The walls were covered with pictures and so many business cards... I stuck my CLSA card on the wall.

First went with the basic Soba... a bit too basic but tasty.

3 Portions in front of Mari... had to go for as many as possible.. our last night in Osaka.

This was the Seafood.

This was the steak... (Gyu Suji)

They also have a shop in Marunouchi near Tokyo Station in the TOKIA B1 area (Where JPMorgan is located)! Also a brand new one located near Shinagawa Station.

We got a pic with the cool owner... all smiles.  

Shop: Okonomiyaki Kiji

Location: Osaka Station... about a 10min walk.

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270101/27000322/

Address J: 大阪府大阪市北区大淀中1-1-90 梅田スカイビル Ｂ１Ｆ滝見小路

Address E: Just look or the Umeda Sky Building (Its on the B1F level!  Its like an old Japanese town there... near the Westin Hotel Osaka).

Map:  

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