Homelike american-style cafe in Shiodome

When I visited the Panasonic showroom in Shiodome (汐留) to see lighting for a bedroom, I had a lunch at an American-style cafe called "Bubby's (バビーズ)." The cafe seems originally from N.Y. and there are currently four branches in Japan. I hadn't known it, it was a nice-cozy American cafe, indeed!  

Bubby's Shiodome

Inside

Beer and sparkling wine

clam chowder

Blue-cheese burger

Beef steak

Most of all, all staff was cheerful and mindful. Generous staff kindly prepared items for baby before asking. Also, their knowledge on food and beverage was more than enough. The atmosphere was really nice. As for the taste of dishes, it was good, but actually average. One distinctive thing is their french-fries. Combination of sweetness of potato itself and saltiness of seasoning with burnt aroma was addictive. I'd like to revisit for the french fries. My rating is 3.5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Bubby's (バビーズ) http://bubbys.jp/index.html 

The last shop of Anna Miller's in Shinagawa

"Annna Miller's (アンナ・ミラーズ)", a chain of american diner whose specialty is variety of pie and whose sexy uniform of waitress is quite famous, expanded in Tokyo until 1990s. However, their business environment drastically changed and there was no choice that most of their restaurants closed. Now, their last shop is survived only in Shinagawa (品川), and I visited it with friend/babies.

Anna Miller's

Inside

Clubhouse sandwich 

Hamburger

Apple pie

Cream banana pie 

Coffee

Lunch is available around JPY1,000. Clubhouse sandwich costs JPY1,240 and hamburger costs JPY920. If you pay JPY460 additionally, a drink and a pie (your choice) are inclusive.
Hamburger was good at average. But pie was unfortunately not delicious. Too sweet/big to eat. It would prove fatal if their specialty is not attractive...Even so, as a cafe, the atmosphere was cozy and good for baby. Staff putting sexy uniform was also kind enough.

My rating....is 3.2 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Annna Miller's (アンナ・ミラーズ)   http://www.imuraya.co.jp/brand/anna/index.html

Crepe Suzette at Henri Charupentier in Ginza

A cafe of Henri Charupentier (アンリ・シャルパンティエ), a Japanese confectionery, located in Ginza (銀座) is always crowded. Most customers look for "crepe suzette" which a French chef, Henri Charupentier whose name is used for the confectionery allegedly made for the first time in the 19th century. Not only the taste, but also beautiful demonstration of blue fire with rich aroma of caramel, orange and Grand Marnier strongly attract customers so long.  

Henri Charupentier Ginza

Cake shop (ground floor)

Cafe (underground)

entrance of cafe

Just ｆlambeing in front of us!

Crepe Suzette

Earl Gray

Milile-feuille with peach

The interior is also interesting. Black and pink colored tea room with copies of painting of Ecole de Fontainebleau makes elegant but mysterious atmosphere. In contrast, every staff is cheerful and kind. Without elevator, they kindly assisted us to bring baby buggy on stairs (thanks a lot!). 

As for the taste, crepe suzette was definitely charming (though mille-feuille was so-so). Crepe suzette costs JPY1,620, Mille-feuille with fruits costs JPY1,512, and tea (earl gray) costs JPY800. It is a bit expensive for tea, but it is worth for visiting to see the tea room and demonstration of crepe suzette once. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita! One more thing. Restroom of this cafe is very unique. Can you find the door of restroom? If you visit, try to find it!

Henri Charupentier (アンリ・シャルパンティエ) http://www.suzette-shop.jp/henri 

Perfect parfait of Senbikiya!

Senbikiya, the most posh fruit shop since 1834 (see the previous post) has been nowadays divided into three different companies and "Senbikiya-sohonten(千疋屋総本店)" is leading other twos. Their flagship shop and restaurant are located in Nihonbashi, but a cafe has been newly opened in "KITTE (キッテ)" just in front of the JR Tokyo main Station (東京駅). The cafe has become a new sightseeing spot and there is always a queue.      

Senbiliya-sohonten in KITTE

Inside

Mango curry and rice

Mango parfait and peach juice

Cafe menu is so fascinating that I can't easily decide what to take. One of their specialty is mango curry and rice (JPY1,296). Japanese-style beef curry using mango is fruity and mild. Not sweet but very rich and complex. Delicious!

And parfait using seasonal fruit is recommendable. When I visited, mango was seasonal. I had hesitated to order mango parfait seeing the price of JPY2,800, but it was a correct answer to have it!! Only ripe mangos of Miyazaki, the highest quality brand in Japan are used for parfait. Soooo sweet and tasty!! Fresh cream and ice cream are also premium. I think I can't find such a perfect parfait other than there. The price is not inexpensive, but it is worth for trying! My rating is 5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Senbikiya-sohonten (千疋屋総本店) http://www.sembikiya.co.jp/index.php    

KITTE (キッテ) http://jptower-kitte.jp/

Women's favorite cafe that there are always lines

Cafes of HARBS (ハーブス) (see the previous post) are always crowded everywhere, particularly at lunch time. Mostly, women are waiting patiently in front of the cafe for lunch set meal which consists of a salad, a pasta, a cake (half size) and a drink. Except salad, you can select from variety of menu. The set costs JPY1,500. As cakes of HARBS costs around JPY800, an inclusive half cake might be appealing for women (and women generally like pasta).  

HARBS Cafe

Salad

Spaghetti with tomato sauce and mozzarella

Fresh cheese cake and tea

Contrary to the below Komeda Coffee, the portion is small. The taste of pasta is not bad. Cake is definitely good (though it seems a bit smaller than the half:) and most appealing cakes using much fresh fruits are not on the list). Nonetheless, the elegant interior and comfortable sofa might be the key of popularity for women. After lunch, chatting long in the nice environment with cake and tea must be ideal. My rating for the cafe is 3.0 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

HARBS (ハーブス)  http://www.harbs.co.jp/harbs/concept.html 

Popular big-portion coffee chain from Nagoya

Recently, "Komeda Coffee (コメダ珈琲)", a chain coffee shop originally from Nagoya (名古屋) has been popular in Kanto area. The strategy of Komeda Coffee is unique. In principle, their shops are located in the suburbs. Their shop is big and the ceiling is high. Every seat is separated for privacy. Cozy sofa seat is for staying long. In a token of this, various newspapers, magazines, books and blankets are prepared. Their marketing doesn't seem cost-effective, but this business model is succeeded somehow.    

Komeda Coffee

Inside (mountain cottage style)

Coffee

Sandwich of deep-fried pork with sweet miso sauce 

Shrimp gratin topped with sliced laver

Deep-fried fish burger with tartar saice

Their specialty, hot Danish with soft cream and maple syrup

Orthodox coffee and burgers cost JPY420 while sandwiches are JPY780. Not expensive at all, but a bit higher than usual coffee chains. But people would agree to the price for this big portion. Usually, customers enjoy coffee only, but here, most people ordered several sandwiches. Komeda also offer various dessert menu like sweet Danish, cake, ice cream, shaved ice cream, etc. As people stay long, many of them enjoyed dessert, too. Accordingly, average spending per customer might be higher than other coffee chains.

The taste is good. Food appeals to all tastes and coffee appeals even to mavins. However, because of the big portion, I got tired a little bit. (We shouldn't have ordered many high-carbs...) Service is nice. My rating is 2.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Komeda Coffee (コメダ珈琲)  http://www.komeda.co.jp/index.php  

Relaxing chain cafe specializing egg dishes

When I went shopping to Kinshicho (錦糸町) to buy baby items with family, I found a chain cafe named "Salon Tamago to Watashi (サロン　卵と私)" in TERMINA, a shopping mall attached to the JR Kinshicho Station. "Tamago to Watashi" means "egg and I" (strange name...:)) and this restaurant offers dishes using egg such as omelette, pancake, souffle, etc. Though I hadn't expected at all, the dishes were good! 

"Salon Tamago to Watashi"

Inside

Souffle pancake

cafe

Baked souffle rice omelette 

Their specialty is souffle or pancake and omelette using souffle. Both of the souffle-typed pancake(JPY530) and rice omelette(JPY1,030) were light like mousse and melted in the mouth shortly. Very favorable texture. The taste was stably good as a chain cafe. Particularly, combination of the hot pancake and whipped cream, butter and maple syrup was superb! 

Their sofa seats are cozy and relaxing. The price is inexpensive. The dishes were nice. I'd like to visit again when I have chance. For having a short break, this cafe featuring egg dishes might be a good option. My rating is 3.5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Salon Tamago to Watashi (サロン　卵と私)

Italian restaurant and cafe in the Ueno Park

First half of December in Tokyo is the end of Autumn and beginning of Winter. Still, we enjoy beautiful colored leaves here and there. Ueno Park (上野公園), where a lot of museums, music hall, zoo and Tokyo University of the Arts (東京藝術大学) are located is one of the good spots for seeing autumn leaves in Tokyo. In particular on weekday, we can enjoy calm and peaceful atmosphere of the Park thanks to relatively fewer visitors.  

Shinobazu Pond and Sky Tree

Tokyo University of the Arts

Beautiful gingko trees

The Park is dotted with restaurants and cafes and I haven't visited all yet even though I live just in front.  One day, I had a chance to try an Italian restaurant named "Le quatro stagioni (レ クアトロ スタジオーニ)" and a newly opened "PARK SIDE CAFE (パークサイドカフェ)" with a friend. At lunch time, the Italian restaurant offers set meal at JPY1,200 including salad, soup,pasta or pizza and drink.  The portion might not be big enough for men, but as a casual lunch for women, it was good.  Pizza baked by a big oven was a napoli-style and the chewy texture was delicious. My favorite combination, four types of cheese (especially、gorgonzola!) and honey was dainty!   　

Exterior of "Le quattro stagioni"

Inside

Salad and soup

Pizza margherita

Pizza quatro formaggio

PARK SIDE CAFE is located near the National Museum of Western Arts (国立西洋美術館) and Tokyo Bunka Kaikan (東京文化会館), a big hall for music, opera, ballet, etc. A big STARBUCKS is just in front of the cafe, but  I personally recommend this local cafe rather than the global chain for feeling culture and arts of the Ueno Park. 

PARK SIDE CAFE

Inside

Cake set and fresh herb tea

PARK SIDE CAFE is a woody and comfortable cafe. Through the big windows, the park view is very nice. The price of drinks is a bit higher than chain cafes, but if you order a cake set around JPY1,000, the total cost might be similar or much cheaper. Fresh herb tea was very impressive with full of herb's aroma. Pair tart and cheese cake were not bad at all. Seating in this good location was value for money. If you come to the Ueno Park, why don't you try?

Le quatro stagioni (レ クアトロ スタジオーニ） http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g490402/
PARK SIDE CAFE (パークサイドカフェ) http://www.create-restaurants.co.jp/shop/index.php?controller=FrontCrShop&action=shop_show&id=648&page=