KOENJI: Sempre Pizza da Giovanni for 280yen Marina Pizza!

Recently there have been a few random super low budget pizzeria's opening in Tokyo and I'm fairly certain it all started with Napoli's in early 2012.  

https://www.facebook.com/napolisjapan

But I somehow got wind of this spot serving 280yen Marinara Pizzas... just had to give it a try.

Menu starts from 280yen with no drink or salad... just Pizza and free water.  For more close-ups on the menu just click HERE. 

The seating area almost reminded me of a very basic cafeteria... not much money was spent on the interior bu then again this is probably the most fast-food pizzeria you will ever encounter.

Long counter for standing.

And there it was... my 280yen Marinara Pizza with a nice spinkle of garlic slices.

The size is 25cm's but its quite small compared to most 1,000yen lunch Pizzeria's (that usually include a drink, salad and espresso).  

The crust was decently chewy... garlic and red pepper infused olive oil helped it along.

Gas Oven.

Hmm... All I can say its a nice alternative to McD's, Yoshinoya or Taco Yaki... but it will definitely leave you craving a second lunch. I think I'd rather pay more for the comfy atmosphere of Frey's with salad/espresso vs a lonely 280yen Pizza on wooden seats. Oh! A big negative factor... no view of the pizza chef at work from the rear seating area...

Shop: Sempre Pizza da Giovanni:

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131904/13127308/

Address J: 東京都杉並区高円寺北3-25-25 天名家ビル1F

Address E:  Tokyo, Suginami-ku, Koenji Kita 3-25-25

MAP: 

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KAMIITABASHI: Hungry Heaven (REVISITED) for Mexican Burger!!

Forced myself to stray from the Chili Burger and check out the Mexican with Jalapenos!

Counter seating this day... got a few of the waiter and waitress forming the beef patties.

The patty was formed a bit thicker than the last time and a bit more juicy! Jalapenos gave the perfect kick (not too spicy) for the cold winter... warmed me up.  Salsa sauce added a nice touch.

By 3pm they dinner patties were prepped!

A very friendly staff and great atmosphere... definitely recommend this spot.

FOR ADDRESS DETAILS CLICK on my Previous Entry:

http://tokyobelly.blogspot.jp/2013/01/kamiitabashi-hungry-heaven-sister-shop.html

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IKEBUKURO: Yamaoka-Ya Ramen... Unanimously Bad Ramen!

Foodies are never ever wrong on Tabelog and when they gave it a paltry 3.03 points it means to stay away... far away because the massive portion of late night calories can't be justified if its anything less than great.

But after standing Izakaya, Wara Wara and darts we needed to close out the night with Ramen of course... but we definitely wandered into the wrong ramen shop.

Toppings

I just don't know... noodles were soft and soup just seemed so supermarket instant style.  I asked my friends and we all agreed this place really sucked.

Sad to say...but HOPEFULLY I won't wander in here after another long night.

Shop: Yamaoka-Ya Tonkotsu Ramen

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

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13108069/

Address J: 東京都豊島区西池袋1-34

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nishi Ikebukuro 1-34

MAP:

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IKEBUKURO: Masuya kinda Standing Japanese Izakaya... cozy.

Went into Masuya just to kill a little time before meeting up with everyone.

Interior was cozy and on this Thursday night it was nice and busy at 7pm.  

Cold winter evening "Atsukan" is a must.

Light oden.  Warms you up.

Bonjiri (Chicken Butt Yakitori)... gotta try it.  Masuya's bonjiri was really meaty compared to most places... felt kinda odd having such a big mouthful of butt.  Prefer little butts myself.

If you want to experience a nice standing (partial sitting) busy Japanese izakaya with great beer food then this would definitely be an interesting place.  You can watch the Yakitori chef and people watch at the U shaped counter or seats along the side. 

Shop: Masuya

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13035773/

Shop Website:  http://www.frontier-one.co.jp/masuya/ikebukuro.html

Address J: 東京都豊島区西池袋1丁目24-3

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nishi Ikebukuro 1-24-3

MAP:

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