Bar Quest Roppongi (5-3-1 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo) – this bar stands apart from others in Tokyo in that it caters to the expat Australian community that lives and works there. With “Happy Hour” from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm every night of the week, during which all standard drinks are ¥500, anyone can come in […]
Air (Hikawa Bldg B1F-B2F, 2-11 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) – this House music venue is noted for booking both local and international DJing talent (including Dimitri From Paris, DJ Hell, Hector Romero, King Britt, Satoshi Tomiie, and Louie Vega, among others). The club was also featured in the 2003 Bill Murray/Scarlett Johansson Hollywood film “Lost in […]
Ageha (2-2-10 Shin Kiba, Koto-ku, Tokyo) – this nightspot, in business since 2002, is located in Tokyo’s bay area (Shin Kiba) and plays mainly electronica dance music — catering to a mostly local (Japanese) and a somewhat more mature crowd. It’s reputed to be the largest nightclub in Tokyo (complete with three dance floors, a […]
Tokyu Food Show (beneath Shibuya station, 2-24-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) – despite its name, this is actually a restaurant located below the popular Shibuya’s Tokyu department store. This is a food court (nicknamed depachika in Japanese) that offer a variety of food items popular with local commuters, such as Sakurambo Vert (green tea with a […]
Tempura Kondo (2 Sakaguchi Bldg., 9F, 5-5-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) – this high-end tempura restaurant (which has two Michelin stars) regularly gets booked, because of its reputation for serving among the best tempura in Japan. Not even U.S. president Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Abe were able to get a table during the American […]
Rokukakutei (Koujun Bldg. 4F, 6-8-7, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) – this Ginza area restaurant (which has been awarded a Michelin star) is noted for its skewers of deep-fried seafood and vegetables, along with its well-regarded wine list. Other types of skewers include bamboo shoot, ground peas, beef with onion, beef tenderloin with shiso, scallops, crab with […]
Restaurant Kinoshita (3-37-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) – despite its name, this is actually a French restaurant, serving dishes such as home-smoked duck breast, roast quail, joue de boeuf (tender cheek of ox slowly simmered down in red wine) and soups like chilled vichyssoise, bouillabaisse and onion gratin. This, along with dishes that fuse both Japanese […]
Pintokona (Roppongi Hills Metrohat B2F, 6-4-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo) – this sushi restaurant stands out, since the meals are served in conveyor-belt fashion (such eateries locally known as “kaitenzuski” – or “one-dollar conveyor belt sushi”). Diners have the option of taking an already-prepared sushi meal that’s already been prepared, or make a special request and […]
Piacere (Shangri-La Hotel, Marunouchi Trust Tower Main, 1-8-3 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) — Meaning “pleasure” in Italian, Piacere succeeds in delighting the palates of the most discerning of diners. The style, passion and creativity that Piacere epitomizes are reflected in the creations of its Executive Chef, Andrea Ferrero. Signature dishes served there include: Infused Leaf Mountain […]
Owan (Okada Bldg., 2-26-7 Ikejiri, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo) – despite the fact that this restaurant is not intended for international diners – with only Japanese being spoken, travelers have nonetheless found their way into this modestly-size, well-decorated restaurant (of 16 seats) for its well-regarded local dishes.