Reasonable sushi run by a fish store in Okachimachi

Just near the Okachimachi (御徒町) JR Station and Ameya-Yokocho (Ameyoko, アメ横）, I found a reasonable sushi restaurant named "Syun Okatimachi(しゅん 御徒町)" run by Yoshiike (吉池), a big fish store. A big lunch set meal costed just JPY1,300. The price setting at lunch seems equivalent to that of sushi-go-round restaurants, but here, sushi chefs cook at the counter.  

"Syun Okachimachi"

Inside

Lunch meal (JPY1,300)

Considering the price, you shouldn't have excessive expectations, but If you plan to have sushi at Aymeyoko where fish is sold, I recommend Syun instead (actually, there is no good sushi restaurant there...). You can be full by the set of JPY1,300! My rating is 3.4 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

 

Syun Okatimachi(しゅん 御徒町)  https://gurunavi.com/en/g114706/rst/?__ngt__=TT0a7b8d9c2000ac1e4a1139jqELRWb_QokenUfRcgYM0w

Conscientious cakes of Chez Chima

I bought cakes of "Chez Chima (シェ・シーマ)", a cake shop of Ichigawa (市ヶ谷) at Isetan Sinjyuku (伊勢丹新宿).They have several branches in Tokyo and one of which is located in Isetan, a posh department store. Chez Chima is famous for "creme d'angel" and cream puff (for your information, their cream puff is often sold out before early-evening). 

Mango parfait

Creme d'angel

Peach cake

Mont blanc cassis

The creme d'angel was definitely good. Combination of whipped cream cheese and rich raspberry sauce was unmistakable. Other cakes were also not so showiness, but the taste was sophisticated. One piece of cake costs around JPY450, relatively reasonable compared to other cake shops in Isetan. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Chez Chima (シェ・シーマ) http://www.chezcima.co.jp/index.html      

Classical French restaurant at Yamanoue Hotel

"Yamanoue Hotel (Hiltop Hotel, 山の上ホテル)" is a very small classical hotel located in Kanda-surugadai (噛んだ駿河台) near Ochanomizu (御茶ノ水). The hotel is known as being regularly used by great literary figures of Showa Era such as Kawabata Yasunari (川端康成), Mishima Yukio (三島由紀夫), Ikenami Shotaro (池波正太郎), etc. because there are a lot of publishing companies there. The hotel has several good restaurants inside, which have contributed to their reputation.

Yamanoue Hotel (Hiltop Hotel)

Lobby

French restaurant "La Vie"

Poiree of foie gras

Consomme soup

Wine and bread

Grilled sole a la bonne famme

Beef steak

Tiramisu and coffee

On a weekend, I had a lunch at their French restaurant "La Vie (ラヴィ)." They kindly accepted baby (hotel is generally open to everyone.). Most customers were seniors and the atmosphere was genial. The style of cuisine was classical using butter, cream, rich bouillon and so on. This kind of style is rather unique nowadays. If we eat it often, it wouldn't be good for health, but sometimes, it is very delicious, indeed. Consomme soup, grilled sole and beef steak were magnificent. Ingredients were good, but more than that, the sauce was terrific. 

Contrary, dessert was a bit weak. Also, facilities are too old. Honestly speaking, I was surprised that the Yamanoue Hotel is decrepit in this way. If they renovate, they could be more popular. Even so, I was satisfied with the lunch for the taste and good service. The above set meal costs JPY6,000 excluding tax and service charge. My rating was 4.0 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

La Vie (ラヴィ)　 http://www.yamanoue-hotel.co.jp/rb/lavi/index.html   

Yamanoue Hotel (Hiltop Hotel, 山の上ホテル)　http://www.yamanoue-hotel.co.jp/

Super birthday cake of Patissier Inamura Shozo

For the birthday of my boy, I reserved a whole cake of "Patissier Inamura Shozo (パティシエ　イナムラショウゾウ, see the previous post)", my most favorite cake shop. When I visited there to receive, Mr. Inamura himself prepared and showed me the cake. It was very impressive! I love the professional and diligent attitude of the chef. (By the way, for your information, queue was short in the morning (am 10-11) even on weekend. If you make reservation, you don't have to stand in a queue). 

Strawberry birthday cake of "Patissier Inamura Shozo" 

Happy Birthday!

The taste was definitely wonderful! Sponge cake was soft and airy. The aroma of good egg and butter was rich. Fresh cream was very rich and milky. Strawberry topped with its jam became much more sweet. Each element was perfect and the combination was superb! Their cakes never disappoint my expectations. My rating is 5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Patissier Inamura Shozo (パティシエ　イナムラショウゾウ) http://www.inamura.jp/index.html 

Japanese sweets cafe at University of Tokyo

One of the superb Japanese restaurants which we can't easily make reservations is now "Kurogi (くろぎ)" in Yushima (湯島). The chef was selected as an iron chef for the famous TV program. The Kurogi has opened its sweets shop and cafe in last May on the property of the University of Tokyo (東京大学). The name is "Kuriyakashi Kurogi (厨菓子くろぎ)". 　

Kuriyakashi Kurogi

Inside

Bean cake and coffee

Chestnut cake and coffee

The building of the cafe is very modern and stylish. Contrary, sweets they serve is very traditional and orthodox. A new feature is having Japanese sweets with coffee (usually, we eat those with green tea/green powdered tea). The coffee itself is also a special blend of "Sarutahiko Coffee", a famous coffee shop. 

Both of bean cake and chestnut cake were delicate. Coffee was also good (a bit wasy). The disadvantage point might be price. Coffee per person costs JPY860. Bean cake is JPY370. A bit high. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadsehita!

Kuriyakashi Kurogi (厨菓子くろぎ) http://www.wagashi-kurogi.co.jp/  

Viva family restaurant, Jonathan's!!

If you face difficulty to find places to eat especially with baby, fist option might be family restaurant such as "Jonathan's (ジョナサン)." Before, Jonathan's had a poor image with limited unattractive menus, but recently, they have dramatically changed in a good way! 

Jonathan's

Salad (JPY250)

Tagliatetelle with Homard and tomato (JPY1,119)

French fry (JPY399)

Beef steak bowl with foie gras

Udon for kids (JPY329)

Pancakes (JPY599)

As you can see the above, the price is maintained still low thanks to the efforts of the company. Taste is of course not bad. As family restaurants allow us to stay long, I tend to order additional dishes...it might be their strategy. 

This style of restaurants always prepare menu books with photos. So, if you travel to Japan, it could be helpful. Most of all, I'm sure you can find something you want to have among variety of menus!  

Light salt-chicken based soup ramen of a chain shop

After so long, I had an opportunity to have ramen outside (cause eating ramen noodle with hot soup is a bit dangerous with baby). The shop is "Menya KOOKAI (麺屋 空海)", a modern ramen chain which has branches mainly in shopping malls around Tokyo.   

Menya KOOKAI

Their specialty "KOOKAI Ajitama Soba"

Despite ordinary (particularly old and dairy ones) ramen shops are dominated by men, KOOKAI attracts women, couple and family because of the clean and stylish interior. They serve all kind of flavored ramens, but their specialty is salt-chicken based soup ramen. The light tasting might be popular among women. For me, it was a bit plain (just happened?). It costed JPY830. My rating is 2.8 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!      

Menya KOOKAI (麺屋 空海) http://www.umai-ramen.com/

Sophisticated sushi at Marunouchi Building

Spring has come according to the Japanese calendar though we had snow in Tokyo yesterday. This is a posting in a while. I've been busy for dealing many issues and have no enough time (I bought another new condominium nearby and moved just recently). Most of all, my boy doesn't allow me to touch PC:). 

On the 35th floor of the Marunouchi Building (see the previous post), we have a branch of "Ginza Sushi Ko Honten (銀座寿司幸本店)", a famous sushi restaurant which has 129 years history. In spite of the well established one, the atmosphere was friendly and kind to baby.  

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"Ginza Sushi Ko Honten" at Marunouchi building

Private room with nice veiw

Baby is ok! (in a private room)

Table setting

First dish

Second dish

Sake!

Third dish

Dessert

The above set meal included 11 pieces of seasonal sushi and dessert at JPY5,400 at lunch time. Not inexpensive, but adequate for the taste and location.Orthodox Edomae-style sushi. Delicate and sophisticated. Sometimes, old-line restaurants can be anticipointment, but Sushi Ko is not! Moreover, the location is good. Nice view looking down the Tokyo Main Station and Marunouchi district is fun. My rating is 4.3 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Ginza Sushi Ko Honten  https://gurunavi.com/en/g763338/rst/