Tokyo Belly: January 2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012

IIDABASHI: Yami-Tuki Curry... easy in easy out with 700yen Curry Specials

Cambodian food? I've never had this before but my journey to try out the food met with a "closed" sign. Its fairly highly ranked in the Kagurazaka area... so where to go?

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130905/13109698/

Decided to take a walk towards Iidabashi and spotted some Chickens (near Hosei University).

Three daily lunch specials... Tomato and Spinach with Cheese, Shrimp and fuffy egg, and the Tomato and Eggplant chicken curry~... hmm...

Decided to go for the Shrimp and lightly boiled egg. Taste was rather bland...

A few shops around town.

It was simply an OK shop... all counter seating and easy in/easy out.

Toppings.

Standard rice volume is 250g but you can request 400g or 500g for free.

There are 5 spice levels~.

Overall not a memorable spot but service was very friendly. Lunch is til a nice 3pm where most places will close at 2pm...

Shop: YamiTuki Curry (Iidabashi branch).

Shop Website: http://syokushindou.jp/iidabashi.htm

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130905/13038579/

Address J: 東京都千代田区富士見2-11-12

Address E: Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Fujimi 2-11-12
MAP:

View Larger Map

Monday, January 23, 2012

SHINJUKU: Tokyo Chikara Meshi "Power Food"... great mix of Grilled Beef Slices and Curry!

In Japan there are a few late night options... Ramen, Beef Bowl or Curry... but what about both beef and curry?! Looks good to me!

Menu Pics: http://www.sankofoods.com/shop/chikara/news35.html

Went for the 550yen curry with strips of beef and bowl of miso soup.

This beef and curry combo was great. The curry is a bit heavier and richer than the usual Japanese curry and sooo tasty. Meat was flavored in some type of tasty Yakiniku-sauce and grilled versus beef bowl shops that boil their beef... each slice very tender!

The miso soup~.

If you are tired of Yoshinoya Beef bowls, heavy late night ramen or Coco Curry then give this franchise a go!

Shop: Tokyo Chikara Meshi (Shinjuku West Exit Shop #2)

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1304/A130401/13135525/

Shop Website: http://www.sankofoods.com/shop/chikara/

Address J: 東京都新宿区西新宿7-9-13

Address E: Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Nishi Shinjuku 7-9-13

MAP:

View Larger Map

Thursday, January 19, 2012

IKEBUKURO Tobu dept store: Gindaco Takoyaki... if you want a taste of Kansai (Osaka) casual yum yum snacks then this spot is a must (all over Tokyo)

If you are craving just alittle bit between meals where do you go? Ramen is easy but a bit too much volume... Onigiri (rice ball) is fun but you have to stand outside the Convenience store to eat it... then the best choice becomes Tako-Yaki (Octopus treats) originally from Osaka.

We went for the special... 6 pieces of basic Takoyaki with 1 drink for 500yen.

This spot is located in Ikebukuro Tobu Dept store... a very basic layout.

There are a few varieties of Taco-Yaki toppings...

The Taco-Yaki Chef making lots of balls. If you feel just a tad hungry then give Gidanco a try... a little more than the McDonalds Dollar menu or 100yen Onigiri's at the Lawsons but you'll get to taste a little bit of what Japanese crave.

Shop: Gidanco Takoyaki (Ikebukuro Tobu Dept Store Shop)

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13078547/

Address J: 東京都豊島区西池袋1-1-25 プラザ゛館10番地

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nishi-Ikebukuro 1-1-2

MAP:

View Larger Map

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

GINZA MITSUKOSHI: Les Rosiers-Eguzkilore... Nice lunch served by an odd waiter who drinks customers leftover wine.

Invited to a great restaurant on the 12th floor of Mitsukoshi Ginza (New Building)

All course menu's. Each item and its ingredients are carefully explained by the waiter but ours just kept going on and on... quite lost by the end of his presentation.

We both went for the 4,900yen "Eguzkilore" Lunch Course... But there was something that bothered us off the bat... Paying nearly $75 USD per person (with an additional glass of wine) you would assume the staff would attempt to smile and provide amazing service but our waiter seemed like a guy straight off the streets of Akihabara. A bit dorky, sweaty, suit oversized and well he just didn't fit this atmosphere... a very odd guy (wait til the entry ends where he drinks our remaining red wine).

http://www.lesrosiers-eguzkilore.com/ja/menu/

Foie-gras soup

Crab appetizer... part way we decided to switch appetizers and my crab setting came with a knife. When I did this the waiter noticed and proceeded to give my friend a new knife... the thought was nice but he reached over her food (cuffs nearly touching the appetizer) as she was eating to place the knife next to her. This guy was just simply clueless... Lack of training from management is all I can say.

We both went for the went for the Japanese beef filet... very tender.

A tiny strawberry shake is provided after the meal to clear your pallet.

Highlight of the meal was selecting 2 among the 12 different tea's.

Overall enjoying a meal is partially the company you are with, the atmosphere, service and quality of food but this place was such a mismatch in Posh Atmosphere and Service. The one thing that turned me off was when the waiter took away our wine glasses before the desserts arrived... there was just a sip of red-wine in one glass and as he entered the kitchen he actually drank it! We were seated right next to the kitchen entrance with a clear view of this. It was just a very odd thing to see at a place that charges between $50 - $120 per person for a lunch Course.

The greatest thing about course menu's slow pace that allows for great conversation with your fellow diner. But I'd highly suggest you go elsewhere to share this special time over a meal that should have been simply perfect at USD150+.

Shop: Les Rosiers-Eguzkilore (GINZA Mitsukoshi)

Shop Website: http://www.lesrosiers-eguzkilore.com/ja/index.html

Foodie Website: http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13115524/

Address J: 東京都中央区銀座4-6-16 銀座三越 12Fレストラン - ギンザダイニング

Address E: Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Ginza 4-6-16, Ginza Mitsukoshi 12F (New Bldg)

MAP:

View Larger Map

AKASAKA: 500yen Lunch at Kudara... prices have gone up up! (REVISITED)

Tokyo is cold cold in the Winter... probably notice it a bit more than the US due to all the walking we do... Anyways its been a while since I visited Kudara so off I went.

Noticed in black "all items 500yen" then under the Samugetan was 700yen...hmm... The attraction here was always the incredible value of the Samugetan at 500yen. After I placed my order the waitress said its now 700yen, is this ok? At +200yen its still a great value but it sure does taste better at 500yen~.

There seemed to be a bit more chicken inside this time... might have gotten lucky this day.

The crowd was unusually light today... perhaps increasing the price slightly in restaurant filled Akasaka caused a few lunch goers to wander elsewhere for lunch.

Don't think I'll be back anytime soon... time to give a few other Korean spots a try.

Address details here:

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2011/09/akasaka-kudara-korean-restaurant-best.html

Thursday, January 12, 2012

GINZA: Arossa 1,050yen Lunch... just can't go wrong (REVISTED... AGAIN)

If there is just one Western lunch spot in Tokyo that gets your mouth watering just thinking about it this would definitely be Arossa :)

Said hello... they seated me and as you know there is just one lunch menu per day.

For starters Arosa Mori-Mori (lots n lots) Salad

White fish cream corokke... so tasty... detected a hint of curry seasoning.

Hamburger steak topped with cheese, onion and mushroom demigras sauce on a bed mashed potatoes. This mashed potatoes had a very thick texture similar to Turkish Ice Cream(?)... it was thick and gooey.