The ‘renewal’ of stores in Monnaka continues. You’d swear this was economic vitality, but I still insist it’s the opposite – economic vitality means existing stores stay in business. The number of new shops opening in the last year is more than the sum of the preceding 5 years. Orihara Shoten, run by Ikebukuro’s Orihara […]
sake
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Dai San Harumi Sushi, Shinbashi (第三春美鮨)
First sentences of reviews of top sushi places should include the words ‘hidden’ or ‘unassuming’ (or if you’re an American writer, please use the phrase ‘sushi joint’. And if you’re reviewing Kyubei, please include “more money than sense” also.). Look, I worked them in! Dai San Harumi is fairly described as a top place with […]
Magoroku, Monzennakacho (深川 孫六)
This was very pleasing. Very very pleasing – brilliant yakitori plus game meat and jizake. How did I manage to go this long without trying it? Mainly it was my unreasonable anti-chicken bias. I’m recently converted, and now there are several more chicken places I should hit around town. You can keep your everything-but-the-cluck Birdland […]
Momosaku, Asakusa (百作)
After dinner at the very tasty and historic Otafuku, it was time to stroll around Asakusa. For those young readers just learning about the Rolling Stones and Beatles, this little shop seems to be inspired by the Midnight Rambler and Piggies. But it has nothing to do with Pink Floyd, which you’re not old enough […]
Izumiya no Kura, Kanda (神田和泉屋乃坐)
Well, I went to yet another incredible guitar store in Ochanu after work. And after that, I walked around a little. I successfully resisted the urge to visit the mighty Takaban, but when I walked down a tiny alley and saw this place, with not even much of a sign, and that name.. The paper lantern […]
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Tarafuku, Sendai (いろり酒場 たら福)
Leaving our date with tongue, we were forcibly reminded of our dietary wants. Where would one get soba that was not a traditional noodle of Japan? And in any case, we ignored that crap and headed right back to a warm and welcoming place that we saw when on recon patrol before dinner. We should […]
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Sato, Tama Plaza (佐藤)
Part 2 of what we should expect to be a long series of posts on the greater Kawasaki area’s greater dining options, also known as Eating Outside Tokyo With Someone (whaddya think of that, Little Lord Pottleroy?). Sato looked like the best thing on Tabelog, and I stand by the idea that it’s probably the […]
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Yuwaeru, Kuramae (蔵前 結わえる)
As many of you know, December 24th is the most romantic night of the year in Japan. It’s the night when all good men should be taking their women to fancy dinners, which are typically lobster, beef and truffles at horrendous prices. I am against this (cooking dinner is a better demonstration, no?). Braving the […]
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Kyomachiya, Shin Yurigaoka (京町家)
Here be dragons. The wild spaces of Kanagawa are inhabited by all manner of hulking buildings and commuting dwarves. Falling into a need to journey out here to meet someone is surely my punishment for raising an eyebrow at Common’s choice of dwelling (if you’ve forgotten, Glenn, that’s you. Let’s get together next year!) – […]
Nagomi, Sendagi (和味)
It bears mention again – there are few neighborhoods better for an afternoon of exploration with someone than Nezu. It’s a place you don’t get tired of – you may have read about visits with Woodsy, McNoonan, and even by myself, twice. The long jog that finally tweaked my knees for the year was a couple […]