Au Gout du Jour, Ichigaya

eek2, you know you’ve been hitting the restaurant scene a bit when you go to a new place and recognize the staff from elsewhere. I guess it’s OK if it’s a different restaurant in the same group, but it’s still disconcerting. Especially when you’ve made what feels like a big hike across town to go […]

Michiba , Ginza

Those with Iron Chef fetishes will be well-served here despite the absence of Roku-chan himself from the kitchen (I can call him that because I saw a documentary on him one time and his 80-year old older sisters were calling him ‘Roku-chan’). The three times I’ve been have all ranged from impressive to extraordinary (maybe […]

Monya, Roppongi

With 4 shops, does this qualify as a chain? Inside is pretty much the antithesis of ‘chain’ to me (and I guess most other foreigners), but I used to think that about all the ‘country-style’ places too (think Nishi-Azabu Gonpachi!). Anyway, if this is a chain, I love chain restaurants. Twice for dinner, once for […]

Sushitokoro Nao, Roppongi

Definitely among the best sushi I’ve had, but far, far from the cheapest. Sort of a nice atmosphere (counter, salarymen, hostesses), convenient to Roppongi Crossing on the Akasaka side (if such things are convenient to you), and very good fish in generous (if a bit thick) slices. The one drawback is unfortunately Nao himself, who […]