Tsunahachi つな八 is a historic tempura shop in Shinjuku. This year it celebrates 100 years. I love the branch at Shinjuku Takashimaya as it’s brightly lit and conveniently located near the station. The main shop has an old retro feel to it, which is also cool. At Takashimaya we requested counter seats and could wait…
Category: shinise
Shinbashi Isehiro
I have long been a customer at Isehiro yakitori in Kyōbashi since my days working as a sommelier at Takashimaya depachika. The original shop dates to 1921. Only recently did I discover that Isehiro has a branch in the basement of the Shinbashi Daiichi Hotel. I stopped by and the third-generation son said that his…
Acacia
Shinjuku Acacia is a famous yōshoku restaurant serving Western-style dishes since 1963. Acacia serves classic dishes like omuraisu – omelet over ketchup rice, curry rice, croquettes, and more. The signature dish is rolled cabbage which is delicious and made without milk, yet is creamy. The hayashi rice made with beef and a dark stew was…
Parlour Kimuraya Kissaten
The morning coffee set at Kimuraya kissaten in the Shinbashi Building near Shinbashi station. Thick toast, boiled egg, and coffee for 490 yen ($3.50). I added a salad and was tickled. Fun presentation – and pineapples! I love these retro coffee shops. The music playing was from when I lived in Japan in the 80s…
Nodaiwa
I first came across Nodaiwa while working at Nihonbashi Takashimaya. The fifth-generation unagi-ya has a branch at Takashimaya. Here is the fifth-generation shokunin, Kanejiro Kanemoto-san. Details are in Food Sake Tokyo, my book. I just wanted to share these photos of the storefront and the lovely Kanemoto-san. http://www.littlebookroom.com/products/food-sake-tokyo
Food Sake Tokyo 