New restaurant reviews, plus a calendar of food and restaurant-related events in Tokyo, including wine tastings, guest chefs, and restaurant openings. Also includes Brews News, a newsletter on microbrew beers in Japan.
Savory cones are priced Y450-580 each, and before 5pm there are discounted set meals that include drinks, salads and other side dishes. Drinks include espresso beverages, wine, beer and cocktails. The cafe is fairly compact, with two tables plus a bit of counter seating. Everything is available for take-out or delivery within the immediate neighborhood.
The atmosphere at Ishii is quite casual - it's hidden in a tiny alleyway near Shimbashi station, and there are only sixteen seats, including six at the counter (so reservations are essential). The background music tends toward bouncy eighties pop. Budget around Y5000-8000 for dinner and drinks.
Wines are very reasonable, starting at around Y2600/bottle. At lunchtime on weekdays the fare is more rice-based, with donburi sets and a Singapore Chicken Plate, all priced at Y700. Budget Y3000 in the evening for food and drink.
The atmosphere is very relaxed and casual, with a classic sixties-jazz soundtrack and homey, Alpine-village-in-Tokyo decor. Budget around Y5000 for ample food and drink.
As is true in many Chinese restaurants, the bigger the group you go with, the more fun you'll have trying out lots of different dishes. Bankashien's interior is ornate in the extreme; somebody here pulled out all the stops when it came to decorating the place, and it really adds to the experience. Budget around Y1500-3500 at dinnertime; cash only.
Rounding out the menu are assorted salads (Greek, Caesar, and spinach-chicken), tortilla chips with spinach-artichoke dip, and tasty Buffalo chicken wings. If you want a break from US and Japanese microbrews, the drinks menu also features Belgians by the bottle and a few Washington State wines. In addition to the ground-floor standup bar there's table seating on the second and third floors; it's a good idea to call ahead to reserve.
There are four types of burrito (pork, chicken, beef, and vegetable), starting at Y700, as well as burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and salads. There are eight counter seats in the shop, although most customers opt for take-out.
Located one minute from Ryutsu Center station on the Tokyo Monorail, it's a nice place to stop for a snack and a drink after an afternoon of bird-watching at the nearby Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park, or on the way to or from Haneda Airport. (The main branch is located next to Gotanda station.) Budget around Y3500 at dinnertime, or Y800 for lunch.
During a recent visit some menu highlights were the spicy cucumber and bean-sprout starter, skewers of perfectly grilled pork belly, kushiage-style quail eggs and asparagus, and Okinawan champuru stir-fry, a hefty portion which included big tender chunks of chicken mixed in with the tofu and goya. We received sound advice on sake choices throughout the evening, and were pleasantly surprised by a nicely priced Juyondai that wasn't even on the menu. Budget around Y4000-5000 for dinner and drinks.
After 3pm is teatime, with a nice selection of freshly made muffins and pastries to accompany your beverage. Tucked away on a quiet side street behind Aoyama-dori, Nomu Cafe is a pleasant spot for an afternoon break when you're in the area.
Reviews of Swan Lake Imperial Stout and The Beer Horn in Akasaka, and news of upcoming events in Tokyo in the Spring 2012 issue of our Japan beer newsletter.
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