Some eighty varieties of sake are ready to sample at this comfortable standing bar, along with traditional sake-drinking fare served in dainty portions. One nice touch here is that sake is served in proper wine glasses rather than tiny cups, the better to enjoy their aroma. The friendly staff are…
This casual after-work Spanish bar offers a tempting selection of paellas and tapas dishes, along with reasonably priced Spanish wines and sherries. The rustic interior, built around a well-stocked bar, contributes to the cozy ambience, as do the big chalkboard menus filled with daily specials. There’s also an outdoor terrace…
This sprawling building was once the private mansion of one of Kyoto’s leading merchants, and its beautiful garden setting makes it a popular spot for parties and banquets. Lunch is especially recommended, as prices are more reasonable and you can see the garden better. Lunchtime prix-fixe menus start at around…
Trench offers an intriguing menu of signature cocktails and “twisted classics,” and they also stock a huge assortment of liquor and liqueurs if you want to branch out on your own. The interior space is tiny, with seats for only thirteen customers, but the two-story ceilings, street-facing windows, and impressive…
The cuisine of Yamagata Prefecture is the specialty at this stylish upscale izakaya, accompanied by a nice selection of local craft sake. The sake is served in your choice of tasting flights or full glasses, with a number of seasonal specials available every month in addition to the regular list.…
If you have a craving for a Hawaiian plate lunch and you’re in the Tsukiji area, Island Plate Lunch should be on your radar. The kitchen turns out credible versions of traditional favorites like Garlic Shrimp, Loco Moco, Poke, Spicy Ahi, Spicy Salmon, Honey Chicken, and Spam Egg. There are…
Run by Seijo Ishii, the import-heavy food and wine market, this unpretentious wine bar serves very reasonably priced wines by the glass or bottle. There’s a full menu of grilled meats, hefty cheese-studded salads, cheese plates and other wine-friendly fare, so you can stop by here for a full meal…
Chicken sukiyaki is the specialty of the house here, and they use only the very best heirloom-breed birds – slightly chewy and very flavorful – in all their dishes. Sit in the main dining room overlooking the beautiful traditional garden and settle in for a banquet-style prix-fixe menu (starting at…
In spite of the Shinjuku business-district address, this branch of the Rome-based eatery has the feel of a friendly (but sophisticated) neighborhood Italian spot, where you can pop in for a charcuterie board and a glass of wine, a simple pizza, or a full-course spread. Cheese connoisseurs can indulge in…
A graduate of Tokyo’s burgeoning food-truck scene, this stationary branch of Tanaka’s Roti offers nicely prepared rotisserie chicken to take out or eat in. The chicken is marinated for a full day in a mix of herbs and spices before roasting, achieving a good balance of juicy meat and moderately…
The Genka chain of sake-specialty izakayas is known for their policy of selling sake “at cost.” Each branch serves several dozen premium sakes at remarkably low prices, starting at just Y280 per serving. The sake comes in cute 100ml mini-bottles that are the perfect size for sharing, and at these…
Decent fast-casual burritos, burrito bowls, burrito salads and tacos, all made from premium organic ingredients, are ready to take out at this mini-branch of the Tokyo chain. Side dishes include quesadillas, taquitos, nachos and chicken lime soup. Burrito dishes come in grilled chicken, carnitas (braised pork) and steak variations, with…
Adventurous cocktails are the draw at this stylish basement bar in Nishi-Azabu, accompanied by a decent menu of Thai-inspired snacks. Mellow sixties-era jazz plays on the sound system, the lighting is subdued, and the atmosphere is very laid back – the perfect setting for a late evening drink or two.…
This popular Kansai curry shop serves classic “European-style” curry, with a roux made from a blend of Indian spices simmered in a European-style fond de veau. Their signature beef curry comes in a thick, richly flavored roux, with tender chunks of beef, gooey mozzarella cheese and good amount of heat.…
This popular dining bar balances elegant decor with a casual, lively atmosphere. The kitchen turns out creative Japanese cuisine and offers a well-chosen sake list, all at quite reasonable prices. It’s hard to choose a favorite dish here, but the pork kakuni – served in a rich sauce with just…
A menu full of exotic, sometimes savory wine-based cocktails is a fresh concept, and Swrl carries it off with panache. So many intriguing options: “Brooklyn”, combining peanut butter and celery over a Chardonnay base; “Barcelona”, an alluring mix of tomato, elderflower and rose wine; “San Diego”, flavored with ginger, kombucha…
Tosa cuisine from Shikoku is the specialty at this comfortable, stylishly appointed izakaya. Salt-baked bonito (katsuo), heirloom-breed chicken, premium-grade pork and other local ingredients are grilled over extremely hot straw fires. It’s a technique known as warayaki, where the meat or fish is cooked quickly while the aromatic smoke fire…
California-style Thai cuisine is the intriguing specialty at Gin Khao, and we found it a nice change of pace from the Bangkok street-stall fare that’s more usual for Tokyo. In addition to tom yum kung and curries, they offer entertaining cross-cultural dishes like Thai-style sriracha-glazed Buffalo chicken wings and spring…
