Exciting match...WBC!!

In Japan, someone who devotes him/herself to something other than themselves are always called "samurai." Today, I went to the Tokyo Dome(東京ドーム) to see the samurais of Japanese baseball team at World Baseball Classic (WBC, ワールドベースボールクラシック), an international baseball tournament which is equivalent to the World Cup for football. In the previous two WBCs, Japan was the champion. We aim the three consecutive championship victory, but my personal expectation had been a bit low due to the absence of Japanese major leaguers.   

Tokyo Dome

Opening ceremony 

Grilled beef bento of Jyojyoen 

Spicy hot dog

Japanese fried noodle 

Japan, Go for it!!

However...it was...amazing!! Japan won by 16 to 4 against Netherlands, a strong team which already won Cuba, one of the strongest baseball teams. Incredible. If the opponent were weak, we would not be so excited...valuable victory. I could see the match in a very front seat and I was soooo excited to see many home runs directly! Felt fantastic! Also, the fare play and fare cheer of both teams greatly contributed to the great atmosphere. 

Definitely, I enjoyed snacks and fresh beer(JPY800/cup) over watching the match. Grilled beef bento of Jyojyoen(叙々苑) was delicious and expensive(JPY2,300) as always:) Hot dog and fried noodles might be at average, but curiously, I felt the taste much better and delicious in the good atmosphere. 

WBC chopsticks made of broken baseball bat

For this nice memory, I bought chopsticks made of broken baseball bat and with a logo of "samurai Japan" who has a bat rather than a sward. The WBC match continues and I will support the team. I simply believe the power of sport! 

World Baseball Classic (WBC, ワールドベースボールクラシック)
http://web.worldbaseballclassic.com/index.jsp

Simple cakes of Juchheim die Meister

Juchheim(ユーハイム) is a Japanese confectionery company started by a German patissier more than 100 years ago, and their main product is baumkuchen that everyone knows. Recently, they have also focused on fresh cakes and one of their brands is "Juchheim die Meister(ユーハイム・ディー・マイスター)".

Pie with almond cream and raspberry sauce

Bake(first layer) and non-bake(second layer) cheese cake

Their cakes are made in a careful manner. The image of Juchheim is "honesty" and the taste is also like that. Not so complex but simple. Tasty, but it seemed something which makes us impressed was missing (considering the big chain confectionery, maybe it should be acceptable...). My rating is 2.3 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Juchheim(ユーハイム) http://www.juchheim.co.jp/     

GONPACHI, model of Kill Bill

If I receive overseas friends, some of them are always fan of "Kill Bill(キルビル)", an action and black comedy movie directed by Quentin Tarantino. So, I have accompanied such friends several times to "GONPACHI Nishi Azabu(権八 西麻布)", an izakaya restaurant whose interior is the model of the battle scene of Kill Bill (I thought the movie was taken in this restaurant for real, but to be precise, a movie set was allegedly created based on the GONPACHI's interior because the authorization to film here was not given).  

Entrance of "GONPACHI Nishi Azabu"

Inside of "GONPACHI Nishi Azabu"

Japanese rolled egg

Grilled chicken wing

As usual, there were many customers and the atmosphere was very livery even at 21pm of Sunday. As the ceiling is high, we can enjoy a sense of release. Moreover, we can form the picture scenes in our mind over eating casual Japanese dishes. It makes eating more fun!

The taste of dishes are nice and quite adequate as izakaya. Because of many customers, sometimes service is not so quick, but acceptable. Many celebrities such as U.S. President Bush also visited this GONPACHI, but the price is reasonable maintaining the average of usual izakaya. The price setting could be highly appreciated in spite of the fame.

                    
                                                    Trailer of "Kill Bill"

My rating is 3 out of 5. If you are interested in Kill Bill or go to Roppongi for being clubbing, why don't you visit GONPACHI? Gochiso-samadeshita!

"GONPACHI(権八)"　http://www.gonpachi.jp/

Joyful Ninja Akasaka!

We have many entertainment restaurants in Tokyo and one of my bests is "NINJA AKASAKA (忍者 赤坂)." Whoever I take there, everyone enjoys and likes the Ninja's cheerful service and amusement! If you go, you need to be just like a child simply. The more childish, the more enjoyable! If you maintain cool attitude, that's a waste.

Entrance of "Ninja Akasaka"

Corridor (so exciting like labyrinth!)

Shriken (Ninja's weapon) cracker 

Black puff with tofu cream and salmon tartare 

Fire!!

Turban shell bombs a la escargot

Croquette with rice and foie gras

Spring vegetable cocktail topped with whipped Japanese stock

A male ninja cooks soup in front of us

Special stone-boiled soup

Carpaccio of porgy 

Sherbet candy in spring flavors

Grilled cod fish 

Assorted sushi 

Cheese cake 

Needless to say, the concept of this restaurant is "Ninja." So, many dishes are cooked black, Ninja's preferred color which hides themselves in the dark. For making black, it seems they used black sesame, squid ink, etc. which we can eat. For overseas visitors, it may look like creepy:) 

The dishes are creative, and focuses on the impact and appearance rather than taste(but the taste itself might be good for this kind of restaurant). The presentation itself is very nice. Sometimes Ninjya set on fire, threw hot stone into a pot, etc. 

While we enjoy the meal, a Ninja master visited us and showed exciting magics just in front of us! I forgot the time. Worth for visit. The price, particularly of drinks is higher than average izakaya/restaurant, but acceptable level. My rating is 2.5 for food and 5 for service out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

NINJA AKASAKA (忍者 赤坂) http://www.ninjaakasaka.com/  

Shabu shabu overlooking the Imperial Palace

On the 35th floor of the Marunouchi Building called "Maru-Buil(丸ビル) (see previous visit 1, previous visit 2  and previous visit 3)", there is a branch of Moritaya(モリタ屋), a famous sukiyaki and shabu shabu restaurant in Kyoto(see previous visit). The most striking thing of Moritaya here is the view! We can see the panoramic view of the Imperial Palace. It is beautiful with vast greenery in the center of Tokyo(but we are not allowed to take pictures of the Palace because it is seen disrespectful. Not designated by law, but asked as good manners).

Moritaya Marunouchi (window side tables)

Amuse 

Sauce and bouillon soup for shabu shabu

Vegetables for shabu shabu 

Beef!!

Shabu shabu 

Dessert 

The ingredients for shabu shabu are good enough as Moritaya. Beef is tender and delicious. But the sauce might be a bit light. As shabu shabu, maybe at average. If the sesame sauce had been much richer, the tasting would have been more tasty. In Moritaya, sukiyaki might be recommendable, if you are used to Japanese dishes. 

Service is nice, every staff is kind. We can enjoy meal in a relaxed manner. The problem might be its low cost performance. Further, if we sit at the window side, we have to pay extra. But, it is worth for paying at lunch for seeing the Imperial Palace and Tokyo view (not recommendable for dinner as the Palace surrounded by woods becomes dark at night). My rating is 3.2 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Moritaya(モリタ屋) http://www.moritaya-net.com/restaurant/marunouchi.html 

Beautiful Japanese dishes on Girl's Day in Ginza

March 3 is the Japanese Girl's Day (or Doll's Festival) called "Hinamatsuri(ひな祭り)", celebrating girls' healthy growing. We display a set of ornamental dolls representing the Emperor and Empress, attendants, musicians as well as marriage furniture in the Heian Period(平安時代) style. Spring flowers such as peach branch and field mustard are also decorated. On this day, we feel that spring is coming by seeing the dolls and eating traditional rice sweets. I love such Japanese events that recognize the season.

Hinamatsuri dolls displayed in my condominium

Main dolls are Emperor and Empress 

Hinamatsuri dolls displayed in a hotel

On such a day, I had a lunch at a Japanese restaurant named "KISSHO(吉祥)" in Ginza(銀座). KISSHO comprises many private rooms, and the interior is Japanese modern. Beautiful.　But more beautiful thing is their presentation of main dishes put in cherry blossom colored-and shaped-serving dishes. Each dish was fancy and delicious. Particularly, grilled silver cod in a  West Kyoto style, fried blowfish and grilled wagyu beef were very delicious. The beef was tender and melt in the mouth. 

Entrance of KISSHO

Corridor 

Our private room 

Beer!!

Amuse 

Assorted main dishes 

Steamed rice, miso soup and pickles 

Oshiruko (sweet red-bean soup)

Oshiruko, a sweet red-bean soup served as dessert was gentle and sophisticated taste.  This set meal costs JPY4,000 per person at lunch with adding 10% service charge. Every female staff puts kimono and the atmosphere is very chic. We can enjoy meals in a relaxed manner in a private room. Suitable for business entertaining, too. Dinner might be expensive, but lunch is not so high and recommendable. My rating is 3.8 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

KISSHO(吉祥) http://www.kissho.co.jp/ginza/ 

Light modern French at Tokyo Dome Hotel

On a sunny weekend, we walked around the Tokyo Dome and had a lunch at a French restaurant named "deux mil(ドゥミル)" in the Tokyo Dome Hotel(東京ドームホテル. see previous visit). Honestly speaking, I hadn't expected so much, but it was a nice restaurant. The interior is modern and bright with sunshine from the windows. The atmosphere is casual. We don't have to put jacket.  

Entrance of "deux mil"

Main dining 

Tokyo Dome from the window of "deux mil"

Starter 

Breads 

Pumpkin soup of cappuccino style with cheese ravioli  

Grilled white fish, scallop and shrimp with cream sauce 

Stew of chicken,lamb and vegetables with couscous 

Assorted dessert 

Hot tea with lemon 

Lunch set meal is available from JPY3,675 on weekend. I expected their dishes might be average as casual restaurants of hotel. But it was not true. The tasting is sensitive and definite, but light. Good modern French. In particular, pumpkin soup of cappuccino style with cheese ravioli was impressive. Breads were also nice. 

Though we may not expect sophisticated service of sommelier or experienced staff (most staff is young) at a French restaurant, here, it is more than enough to enjoy modern French in a casual and cozy circumstance. My rating is 3.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

deux mil(ドゥミル) http://www.tokyodome-hotels.co.jp/restaurants/deuxmil.php