Red Lobster in Odaiba

Odaiba (お台場) is a bay area and one of the date spots in Tokyo. There are many shopping malls, amusement parks, movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, etc. which are suitable for couples. Night view from Odaiba is also beautiful. When I drove to Odaiba, the Tokyo Tower was illuminated by five colored lights for celebrating the Olympic Games.

Rainbow bridge and Tokyo Tower

In a shopping mall called "Aqua City Odaiba (アクアシティお台場)", there is a branch of "Red Lobster(レッドロブスター)", an American chain restaurant, which is famous for dishes using fresh lobsters. In front of the restaurant, lobsters are fed in aquarium. 

Inside of "Red Lobster"

Pickle and a glass of white wine

Fresh oysters

Soup of Lobster with pie

Combination plate (grilled lobster, grilled beef and gratin)

Red Lobster offers wide variety of sea food menus at the intermediate level expense. Side dishes are reasonable at around JPY1,000 and dishes using Lobsters cost more than JPY2,000. The taste is good as a chain restaurant. There is no special dish, but most plates are more than average that anybody likes. The atmosphere is good for date, but the taste is for family-use. If you luckily sit on the window seat, you can enjoy the wonderful night view of Tokyo bay. My rating is 2.5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Red Lobster http://www.redlobster.jp/index.html

Indian curry near the office

In the 5 minutes walking distance from my office, there is an Indian curry restaurant called "Grand Darjeeling (グランドダージリン)" , located on the underground floor of Shobo Kaikan (消防会館) in Toranomon (虎ノ門). Cooks and waiters seem Indian or those who from other south Asian countries, but this restaurant also serves Thailand cuisine as well...(I haven't seen so much the combination of Indian and Thailand dishes...)

Inside of Grand Darjeeling

Sag-chicken (spinach curry) and naan 

In my memory, the taste of curry in this restaurant had been relatively better than other ones around here, but the one I ate was not so delicate as the previous memory. The curry was a bit sloppy and not rich enough. I felt something crucial was missing...So, this time my rating is 1.5 (sorry!) out of 5. Next time, I wish the ordinary taste will be back! Gochiso-samadeshita! 

Grand Darjeeling (グランドダージリン) http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a193102/  

An Italian produced by a famous chef

"LA BETTOLA da Ochiai" is one of the famous Italian restaurants in Tokyo and its chef Mr. Ochiai is a charismatic one in the field of Italian cuisine. Mr Ochiai also produces commercially available past sauces, which we can buy at the supermarkets. It is commonly known that reservation at the head restaurant in Ginza (銀座) is difficult and I haven't had chance to taste the cuisine (for lunch, we have to make a queue from 10 o'clock and we have to make a reservation for dinner before two months). 

LA BETTOLA da Ochiai in Ikebukuro

Focaccia and spumante

Baked eggplants with cheese 

Smoked salmon

Spaghetti with botargo

Spaghetti with sea urchin

Red wine

Beef stew with red wine

Grilled sea bream with tomato and basil

The other day when I went to Ikebukuro (池袋), I found a branch restaurant of "LA BETTOLA da Ochiai" in the department store SEIBU (西武). Due to its too big name, I hadn't expected so much, but the taste of dishes fully met the high reputation. Every dish was dynamic but delicate. The portion is big enough and accordingly we couldn't eat dessert. Price is very reasonable considering the high quality. The set menu at dinner costs JPY3,990. My rating is 4.3 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

LA BETTOLA da Ochiai http://www.la-bettola.co.jp/

Yoshinoya once in a while

Yoshinoya (吉野家)...this is one of the great national fast food restaurants in Japan.　Yoshinoya's branches are around the corner of stations and along with the big street that we can easily find anywhere. Some of the branches are opened for 24 hours. Recently they have also developed the business in the US and Asia.

Yoshinoya in front of my nearest subway station

Most of the menus are available at less than JPY500. Their main menu is beef bowl as well as other dishes such as curry. Fast, delicious and cheap! I am always impressed by the price and service-mindset of Yoshinoya. The taste of Yoshinoya is a bit addictive that I sometimes really want to taste. My rating is 3 out of 5 with full of respect! Gochiso-samadeshita!


Yoshinoya (吉野家) http://www.yoshinoya.com/

Congratulations for Uchimura!!

It's 3:30 am now, but I couldn't sleep at all for keeping watching men's gymnastics of the Olympic Games. I was so touched to watch beautiful gymnastics by the top athletes of the respective countries. And finally, Kohei Uchimura, a representative of Japan won the gold medal! Congratulations and thank you so much for the impressive and memorable moments!

Lunch at a steak restaurant

On the third floor of the ANA Intercontinental Tokyo (ANAインターコンチネンタル東京) in Tameike-sanno (溜池山王), there is a stake house whose name is just as "THE STEAKHOUSE." Cooks were cooking in the open kitchen and good smell wafted through the restaurant.

Lobby of the ANA Intercontinental Tokyo

THE STEAKHOUSE

Interior of THE STEAKHOUSE

Salad and soup

Beef steak

Beef hamburg 

Beef hamburger 

At the lunch time, THE STEAKHOUSE offers set meals around at reasonably JPY2,000. Value for money! Beef was not wagyu but the one from the U.S. Even so, the taste of lean meat was delicious. Moreover, it seemed the way of grilling was sophisticated so that meats became more flavorful. Side dishes such as french fry grilled vegetables were also good. As the portion was big, we could be full and satisfied. The atmosphere is also nice for being relaxed. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

THE STEAKHOUSE http://www.anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp/e/rest/steakhouse.html  

Casual dinner at a wine bar

Do you watch the Olympic Games? I have been busy watching the games everyday and so sleepy. But I cant' stop cheering athletes who are making utmost efforts in the atmosphere of tension at the quadrennial event. Their continual challenges and strong spirits always make us braved and encouraged. In reality, we compromise, give up, make excuses....but the top athletes silently tell us the importance of efforts, dedication, enthusiasm, etc. 

Amuse

White asparagus with hollandaise sauce

Bagna càuda

Pasta with minced seafood and tomato

Crème brûlée

Crêpe Suzette

Again at a wine bar "Bouteille (ブテイユ)" in Yushima (湯島). Whenever we visit Bouteille, most of the tables are full with customers who love tasting wines. Very cozy and relaxed atmosphere. I can be always satisfied with delicious dishes. 

As you can see the above photos, every dishes were delicate and distinctive. The chef's intention for cooking is very clear. But the price is not so expensive. Different from ordinary french restaurants, we can use this wine bar flexibly depending on capacity to pay. My rating for this dinner is 4 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!