Delicious tonkatsu chain from Kyoto

Katsukura (かつくら) is a tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlet) chain originally from Kyoto. Compared to other tonkatsu chains, the price setting is a bit higher, but the taste is accordingly much better! Even so, baby is welcomed as a chain restaurant for family.

Katsukura

Inside 

Kinka pork (sirloin) tonkatsu (JPY2,880)

Kinka pork (fillet) tonkatsu (JPY3,000)

Katsukura always serves variety of tonkatsu using several branded pork, and among them, kinka pork, a famous pork farmed by Hirata Farm of Yamagata Prefecture is very delicious. The kinka pork itself is very tender, juicy and rich. And its tonkatsu is wonderful. Strongly recommended! Side dishes as well as miso soup are sophisticated in a Kyoto style. My rating is 4.0 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

http://www.fukunaga-tf.com/katsukura/index.html

Thai cuisine at mango tree cafe

Mango tree (マンゴツリー), a Thai restaurant global chain has recently opened cafe style restaurants in shopping malls. As the name shows, both of the atmosphere and price are casual. Lunch set meal is around JPY1,000.   

Mango tree cafe

Inside

Green curry plate

Gapao rice plate 

Tom yam noodle

Pancake plate for kids

Mango Tree itself is famous as "authentic cuisine"certificated by the Thai government, however, its cafe seems not. Using less Thai seasoning, spice and coriander, the taste was mild to suit Japanese preference. A bit disappointing. Though service was good. The Tokyo bay seeing through the big window was nice. My rating is 2.7 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Mango tree (マンゴツリー) http://mangotree.jp/

Casual bistro in Hongo-sanchome where baby is OK

Near the football avenue in Hongo-sanchome (本郷三丁目), where the Japan Football Association (JFA) locates, there is a small bistro named "Le KURO (ル クロ)." We visited for lunch on a rainy Sunday, and they kindly welcomed our boy as well as baby buggy. 

Le KURO

Salad and soup

Grilled white fish with cream and laver sauce

Roasted pork with soy sauce based sauce

Frozen strawberry and coffee

Lunch set meal is JPY1,500 including a salad, soup, bread, fish or meat, dessert and coffee. Actually, the taste was moderate...but a casual and warm atmosphere created by the chef and madam was cozy, particularly with child. My rating is 3.0 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Le KURO (ル クロ) http://r.gnavi.co.jp/mtc8bukd0000/ 

Xiaolongbao restaurant from Singapore in Ginza

Near the Ginza (銀座) station of metro, I tried a restaurant whose specialty is xiaolongbao, steamed bun of Chinese cuisine run by Singaporean company. The restaurant is "PARADISE DYNASTY (パラダイスダイナシティ)." Most customers were women at lunch!

PARADISE DYNASTY

Inside

Xiaolongbao (steamed bun)

Hot and sour noodle

Jelly and tea

The choice of menu is limited (that's why the price might be reasonable), and lunch is available from JPY900. Xialongbao is of course good, but more than it, I liked hot and sour noodle. The soup was very rich, and combination with chopped coriander was very addictive. My rating is 3.5 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

PARADISE DYNASTY (パラダイスダイナシティ)　http://www.paradisedynasty.jp/  

Reasonable rice gratin chain prevalent in malls

"Kobe Motomachi Doria (神戸元町ドリア)", a rice gratin chain has been recently prevalent in malls everywhere, but I haven't tried it until I have a child. Now, I finally tasted it and found the reason of popularity particularly for family. (for your information, "doria" is a rice gratin in Japan, created by Hotel New Grand in Yokohama around 1930.)

Kobe Motomachi Doria

Inside

Seafood rice gratin 

Rice omelette for kids

They prepare a variety of rice gratins with sauce of cream, tomato, curry, etc. and meat/seafood/vegetable. Each price is around JPY1,000. The taste is not so special, but what everyone likes. Service is quick and presentation with candle for keeping doria warm is interesting.Casual atmosphere is suitable for family with kids. My rating is 3.2 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita!

Kobe Motomachi Doria (神戸元町ドリア)
http://www.saint-marc-hd.com/brand/motomachi_doria.html   

Trattoria in Yushima whose big appeal is grilled meat

You may not notice this small and underground trattoria named "CARNELLINA (カルネリーナ)" in Yushima (湯島). Their signboard is small and inside is invisible...I hesitated to go down the stairs... but it was a good new finding! Not only the taste, but also the price...! Weekday lunch is available from JPY900 (starter and pasta). If you want to have grilled meat, it is JPY900, worth for paying.

Trattoria CARNELLINA 

Home-made ham and patty

Flan of foie gras (specialty) and focaccia

Spaghetti with tomato and mozalrella

Spaghetti with common mussel and dried mullet roe

Grilled canard with berry sauce (JPY900)

Espresso (JPY100)

They effectively cook ingre salt and seasoning, and the taste is very sharp. Spaghetti was really good. Also, their meat! Both cold and grilled meat were nice. Look at the beautiful grilled canard! The outside is burnt and the inside is rose. Considering the price, the quality of meat may not be so high, but chef's skill makes it delicious. My rating is 4.2 out of 5. Gochiso-samadeshita! 

CARNELLINA (カルネリーナ) http://hitosara.com/0006041056/   

How time flies...!

Year by year, I feel like time passes by faster...Just a busy daily life has kept me away from writing a blog, but I was astonished to notice that the last update was in March!! How time flies!  For my record of eating and recreation, I would like to write occasionally when I have time. But this boy always needs my attention and may not allow me to do so when he is awake...;)  (Tonight, he is unusually sleeping from early-evening.)