Restaurants
Tokyo is one of the world's great cities for diners. Not only is
there a fabulous variety of premium eateries but the wonderfully
diverse and exciting world of Japanese cuisine reaches its highest
peaks here. From
Kaiseki, the elaborate and
expensive Japanese cuisine themed around the four seasons, to
down-market classics like
sukiyaki noodle dishes,
deep-fried
tempura, mouth-watering
tonkatsu pork, and
yakitori chicken
grilled on skewers, Tokyo has it all in abundance.
Then there is the perennial western favourite, sushi -
impeccably served in a thousand different varieties around the
city. Note that when eating sushi it is usual to eat with your
fingers, and go easy on the soy sauce and
wasabi.
For a light meal on the move, you can also grab a lunchtime
bento box and find a seat in the many quiet
enclaves amidst the city bustle.
Chopsticks are used in most restaurants, except those serving
western cuisine. You can ask for western utensils, but you are
better off getting into the spirit and practicing with chopsticks
before your visit! When eating noodles it is quite normal to pick
up the bowl and drink from it, using the chopsticks to eat the
solid bits. Slurping is also normal; in fact, it improves the
flavour of the food.
In most restaurants you will be given a wet towel known as
oshibori before eating. Use this to freshen up by
wiping your face and hands.
Tipping is not customary in Japan, and attempts to provide
gratuity are likely to be met with confusion. At more up-scale
restaurants a 10% service charge may be added to your bill.
| Nanbantei |
$$$$$ | Japanese |
This well-known establishment has become something of a tourist
landmark in Roppongi, probably because of its delicious yakitori
fare and reasonable prices. Yakitori is the Japanese version of the
barbecue, with chicken, beef, pork or fish kebabs grilled over oak
coals, served with large bowls of crudité vegetables like
crisp raw cabbage, carrots and courgettes. Nanbantei offers bargain
lunch menus and specialities like namban-yaki (grilled beef dipped
in hot miso) and asapura-maki (green asparagus wrapped in thinly
sliced pork). Dinner only. Closed Saturdays.
Address: 4-5-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Telephone: (0)3 402 0606
| La Tour D’Argent |
$$$$$ | French |
Decidedly opulent, the lavish La Tour D’Argent, like its
famous sister in Paris, sets the standard for French haute cuisine.
The high standard of the food and décor is only matched by the
prices in this celebrated establishment situated in the New Otani
Hotel. The house speciality is the duck, specially flown in daily
from Brittany in France. Other highlights on the menu are pigeon
and fricassee of lobster. It is all prepared by chefs trained at
the Paris restaurant and an impressive wine list accompanies the
outstanding menu, which changes seasonally. Closed Mondays. Dinner
only. Reservations essential and dress code is jacket and tie.
Address: New Otani Hotel, 4-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku
Telephone: (0)3 239 3111
| What the Dickens? |
$$$$$ | British |
Good old English steak and kidney pie in the heart of Japan?
Charles Dickens himself would feel at home in Tokyo’s British
pub which serves up a variety of ales and a down-to-earth
atmosphere helped along with wooden beams, sprung floors,
hand-painted pub signs and dried hops. What the Dickens? also
offers live music every night of the week. The menu is reasonably
priced and consists of several traditional British favourites such
as cottage pie, accompanied by heaps of potatoes and vegetables.
Closed Mondays.
Address: 4th Floor, Roob 6 Building, 1-13-3 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku
Telephone: (0)3 3780 2099
| La Granata |
$$$$$ | Italian |
The twin restaurants of La Granata and Granata Moderna are
situated in the basement of the Tokyo Broadcasting Systems
building, but the Italian cuisine on offer is top level. La Granata
offers a traditional ambience with check tablecloths and brickwork,
while Granata Moderna is elegantly modern with mirrors and stained
glass. Both offer delicious pasta specialities.
Address: TBS Garden building, basement, 5-1-3 Akasaka
Telephone: (0)3 582 5891
This establishment offers the novel experience of eating in a
Japanese bathhouse. The baths are gone, but the large building,
which now houses Maisen restaurant, was converted from a sento
(public bath) about 20 years ago. The huge space makes for an airy
dining room where discerning gourmets can enjoy a range of Japanese
delights. Speciality of the house is Tonkatsu, tender and crisp
deep fried pork cutlets. Open daily from 11am.
Address: 4-8-5 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku (near Omotesando station)
Telephone: (0)3 3470 0071
It may look unpretentious with its plastic sheeted linen cloths,
but the aromas emanating from The Taj restaurant will soon make you
understand why this remains one of Tokyo’s favourite eating
establishments, particularly favoured by the staff of the Indian
Embassy. The menu is divided into a tandoori and a curry section,
and offers more than 40 dishes from every state in India.
Address: 1st Floor, Pagoda Building, 3-2-7 Minato-ku, Akasaka
Telephone: (0)3 3586 6606
It is worth waiting in line to sample the fare at Tokyo’s
most renowned tonkatsu (deep fried pork) outlet. Waiters take
orders while patrons queue for a spot at the well-worn
Formica-topped tables, watching the hustle and bustle of the dozens
of busy cooks in action. The reward is delectable treats like
hirekatsu (fillet of lean pork) reishoki, or rosukatsu (loin cut),
crunchy on the outside and melt-in-the-mouth tender on the inside,
or perhaps a tasty kushikatsu (skewered meat with onions). Tonki is
closed Tuesdays and the third Monday of every month.
Address: 1-1-2 Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku
Telephone: (0)3 3491 9928
The humble noodle is elevated to aristocratic status at this
establishment, where waitresses in starched blue kimonos hand out
brocade bound menus featuring more than 50 variations of noodle
dishes. The background music is usually Vivaldi, Mozart or
Beethoven, to complement the handmade noodles that form the base to
each artistic dish. Patrons can watch noodles being made in the
window of the restaurant before entering. Chotoku is closed on the
first and third Monday of the month.
Address: 1-10-15 Shubuya, Shibuya-ku
Telephone: (0)3 3407 8891
Serving some of Tokyo's finest Italian cuisine, the stylish and
classical décor found in Boheme sets the scene for a great
night of dining on hearty Italian fare. The homemade pastas and
pizzas are to die for. Popular dishes include the Snow Crab and
avocado salad, Scampi spaghetti with a tomato cream sauce, and
pan-fried chicken breast 'cotoletta'. Open daily for lunch and
dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: 6-4-1 Ginza
Telephone: (0)3 3572 5005
Roti serves some of Tokyo's most authentic American grill and
rotisserie cuisine. The ambience is relaxed and causal, the
waitstaff friendly and helpful, and the food delicious! Many expats
frequent this eatery due to its wide selection of beers and old
favourites such as the deluxe blue cheese burger, char-grilled
steaks and sticky Shanghai style pork ribs and the classic Mexican
tortillas and jalapeno cheese dip. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Booking recommended.
Address: Piramide Building, 1F, 6-6-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku
E-mail: info@roti.jp
Telephone: (0)3 5785 3671
Located below the Ruby Room music venue, this small and modest
eatery is a favourite with locals. The chef's recommendations
include rosemary grilled chicken seasoned with lemon, garlic, and
rosemary, served on garlic mashed potatoes and favourites include
grilled Swordfish crusted with herb and pistachio crumbs
accompanied by a potato rosti. Dinner entitles diners to a free
entrance at the Ruby Room upstairs. Open daily for dinner.
Reservations recommended.
Address: 2-25-17 Dogenzaka, Shibuya
Telephone: (0)3 3462 7766
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