Ogo Ono-Loa Hawaii (5-1-4 Isomura Bldg. 5F, Akasaka, Tokyo) – located in a part of Tokyo where hostess bars tend to predominate, this is a restaurant launched some years ago by a Hawaiian native. Given the fascination that some Japanese have had of Hawaii, it’s perhaps expected that such a restaurant would eventually find its […]
Nogizaka Uoshin (9-6-32 Akasaka, Minato-ky, Tokyo) – just a short walk away from the upscale Roppongi midtown complex, this restaurant stands out for its fish shack dining. Fresh seafood is served according to the diner’s preference. Its no-frills atmosphere reflects its modest pricing. Given that Uoshin’s parent company is actually a seafood wholesaler, this guarantees […]
New York Grill (Park Hyatt Tokyo, 3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shunjuku-ku, Tokyo) — Dramatically perched on the 52nd floor of Park Hyatt Tokyo is the dynamic New York Grill, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering breathtaking views of Tokyo. The contemporary and sophisticated interior features four substantial paintings of New York scenes by Italian artist Valerio Adami […]
Nakajima (Nichihara Bldg. B1, 3-32-5 Shinjuku, Tokyo) – this Michelin-starred restaurant, located near Shinjuku station, surprises patrons with serving meals for as little as US$10 per person (for a traditional set Japanese lunch – consisting of miso soup, rice, and tsukemono — pickled vegetables, which may be daikon and mustard greens), with green tea available […]
Mado Lounge (Mori Tower 52F, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo) – this restaurant attracts those visiting Tokyo City View and the Mori Art Museum, so patrons can, at the very minimum, enjoy the spectacular view of the city. The international dishes served there include pasts with Salsiccia, Savoy Cabbage and Inkanomezame Potato Ragu Spaghetti Sauce; […]
Kanda (3-6-34 Motoazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo) – this is another restaurant highly-regarded by Michelin (in this case, being given three stars). The Asian-influenced dishes served here include: White Asparagus in Bean Curd Sauce, Grilled Ayu Sweet Fish, Abalone with Sesame Jelly, Clear Clam Soup with Egg tofu and Bamboo Shoot, Sashimi Flounder, Seabream Sushi, and Grilled […]
Ippudo (1-3-13 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) – this eatery, which is a viable option for budget travelers, serves ramen dishes (consisting of hot bowls of wheat noodles in rich, meaty broth, invariably topped with slices of chashu pork, half a boiled egg and chewy strips of menma bamboo). The noodles are light and the tonkotsu soup […]
Frijoles (Pyramid 1/F, Roppongi 6-6-9, Minato-ku, Tokyo) – Japanese entrepreneur Roy Miyano, who spent some years in America, decided to open a Mexican-American restaurant in Tokyo some years ago to show local and international diners that burritos and other Mexican fast food items can be made with fresh, top-of-the-line ingredients. The result is an upscale […]
Devil Craft (Ishikawa Bldg., 4-2-3 Nihonbashi-muromachi, Chuo-ku. Tokyo) – for those wanting a break from Japanese food, this is a Chicago-style pizza restaurant, which serves the famed deep-dish pizzas from that city, as well as craft beers. One pizza popular here is the “Devil Daddy” (which contains fresh, hand-ground sausage, as well as mozzarella, parmesan […]
Chateau Restaurant Joël Robuchon (Yebisu Garden Place, 1-13-1 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo) — Right in the neighborhood of Yebisu (located on the second floor of the villa-like building at the Ebisu Garden Place), stands a French “Château” rebuilt stone by stone in homage to Moulinsart, which is Le Restaurant de Joël Robuchon. To its head, a […]