{  Oreno Kappou — 俺の割烹  }

Oreno Kappou -- 俺の割烹
Oreno Kappou -- 俺の割烹
Oreno Kappou -- 俺の割烹
Oreno Kappou -- 俺の割烹
Oreno Kappou -- 俺の割烹

In case you haven’t seen my post on Oreno Italian Jazz, I recommend reading it before checking this post out.

The Oreno group has been super popular in Tokyo with their affordable restaurants which provide unbelievable prices for what you get. Each Oreno series restaurant has chefs from famous hotels in charge and the only reason they can provide incredible prices is because most of the dining area is standing room only plus they only let you stay for two hours max.

I loved Oreno Italian and this is another great Oreno restaurant that specializes in Japanese food. Because the portions are a little smaller, you might eat a little more than the Italian Jazz but it’s still a great deal. Pictured above are:

– Mizudashi Gyokuro (水出し玉露) 1200yen
– Wagyu Sukiyakinabe (和牛すきやき鍋) 499yen
– Ebi Tenpura (海老天婦羅) x3 1280yen
– Carpaccio 780yen
– Renko Tai Sanshoyaki (レンコ鯛山椒焼き) 780yen
– Ageebishinjyou (揚げ海老シンジョウ) 480yen
– Daikon 480yen
– Nanbanzuke (南蛮漬け) 480yen
– Sabasushi (鯖寿司) 680yen
– Hojicha Pudding (ほうじ茶プリン) 280yen

There’s a 300yen music charge per guest since they have a live singer perform which I think is totally worth it. If you are near Shinbashi/Ginza and have time to wait in line, definitely check this place out! For tips on how to get a table, read my Oreno Italian Post.

Hours // Monday-Saturday: 3 – 11pm, Sunday: 3 – 10:30pm

Address // 8-8-17, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-6280-6948
Website // http://goo.gl/yo9Xeq

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{  Yakitori Torigen — 鳥元  }

Yakitori Torigen -- 鳥元
Yakitori Torigen -- 鳥元
Yakitori Torigen -- 鳥元
Yakitori Torigen -- 鳥元
Yakitori Torigen -- 鳥元
Yakitori Torigen -- 鳥元
Yakitori Torigen -- 鳥元

This Yakitori place in Yokohama is only open for dinner time. Yakitori Torigen is located about 3 min walking distance from Yokohama Station Nishiguchi exit (West exit) on the B1 floor. The place gets quite packed for dinner time as they are famous for their generous portion of yakitori which is both good and affordable.

As you can see, we had quite a variety of yakitori which were all yummy. They even had Toriwasa (715yen) – the chicken sashimi, which was pretty good as well. The menu is written in Japanese but has a few photos of their popular items which you can point to.

If you happen to be by Yokohama station or if you are looking for a decent yakitori spot in Yokohama, check this place out.

hours // 5 – 11pm

Address // B1F SG Building, 2-11-5, Tsuruya-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi,
Kanagawa-ken, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 045-322-3635
Website // n/a

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{  Thanks Nature  }

Thanks Nature
Thanks Nature
Thanks Nature
Thanks Nature
Thanks Nature

Are you lacking some veggies? Then come here! This place is in the middle of Ebisu and Daikanyama and you can enjoy lots of different types of seasonal vegetables, herb teas, and more. As you can imagine, this place is very popular amongst women.

Pictured above are the pizza lunch set for 1100yen (the one that looks like a huge pita with salad on top with herb chicken) as well as the shrimp avocado salad pasta lunch for 1100yen. They both come with a small side soup and a drink of your choice so we chose the herb tea out of 7 different selections: Refresh, relax, detox, beauty, diet, recover, hang over, balance. They also have organic coffee, lychee tea, and darjeeling to choose from. Everything was delicious and it was hard to choose what we wanted to eat as everything looked good. Even though it’s just salad, it was filling as well.

PS: I know, funny restaurant name right? heh

Address // 2F, 1-30-14, EbisuNishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-6416-5939
Website // http://thanksnaturecafe.com

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{  CENTRE the Bakery  }

CENTRE the Bakery
CENTRE the Bakery
CENTRE the Bakery
CENTRE the Bakery
CENTRE the Bakery
CENTRE the Bakery

I have never been to a “Toast” specialty store until I discovered CENTRE the Bakery and all I can say is it’s Toast Heaven!

I love Toast, bakeries, pastries, anything bread. So when I found out there’s a delicious high quality Toast Specialty cafe that opened in Ginza with lines out the door, I had to come check it out. (It usually takes about an 1-1.5hrs to purchase just the toast)

As you can see, the cafe/restaurant is adorable and has a nice ambiance. They serve 3 different types of Toast which they label on their menu “JP”, “NA”, and “EB”.

● 角食パン(北海道産の小麦粉ゆめちからを使用。湯種液種製法で作った食パン。そのまま食べるのがおすすめ)
● プルパン(米国・カナダ産の小麦粉を使用。湯種液種製法で作った食パン。そのままでも焼いてもおいしい)
● イギリスパン(北米産の小麦粉を使用。36時間低温発酵させて作った山型食パン。VILONで人気のバゲットレトロドール使用)

We tried the Toast Sampler with 3 different types of butter (they use gourmet butter such as Echire) that also comes with a glass of milk for 1050yen, Croque Madame for 1470yen, BLT Sandwich for 1260yen as well as the Club Sandwich for 1890yen.

The fun part about trying their toast sampler is that you can choose your own fancy toaster from multiple options which are displayed throughout the cafe. I have to admit it’s a little pricey for just Toast/Sandwiches (I mean who charges 6300yen for a beef cutlet sandwich?!) but if you are into beautiful high quality Toast, it may be a fun and unique experience to splurge and enjoy something different. Everything was delicious!

Toast Purchase Hours // 10am – 7pm (Toast may sell out earlier)
Lunch/Cafe Hours// 10am – 5pm
Dinner Hours // 6pm – 11pm (Different Menu. Don’t have Toast)

Address // 1-2-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3562-1016
Website // n/a

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{  Yakitori Akira  }

Yakitori Akira
Yakitori Akira
Yakitori Akira
Yakitori Akira
Yakitori Akira
Yakitori Akira

Yakitori Akira is not your traditional Yakitori with skewers. It’s more of a “Chicken Cuisine” and it’s a place where you can eat raw chicken (aka chicken sashimi). Located in Nakameguro by the river, this smokey chicken house is quite happening (only open for dinner) and it gets quite loud. Seating is on the floor so for those of you who are not used to sitting on zabuton you may find it a little difficult to dine for a few hours.

This was actually my first time eating raw chicken and I personally didn’t like it that much. But for those of you who enjoy it or would like to try raw chicken, they have a fresh selection so you may like it more than I did. We ordered the 3800yen course and it was quite filling. They also have a grill that you cook your chicken and veggies on which is called a shichirin(七輪) and it gives this beautiful smokey flavor to the chicken which was good.

My favorite part was the tamagokake-gohan, which you basically swirl your raw egg onto your rice with a little bit of soy sauce and it’s delicious. (Tamagokake-gohan is an old school way to eat rice and it brings back memories of my childhood.) The course ended with matcha green tea ice cream and overall it was a nice experience but since I’m not that into raw chicken, unfortunately it wasn’t one of my favorite places. If you’d like to try raw chicken though, this is definitely the place to go. Also, during cherry blossom season, this restaurant gets quite packed as they have a beautiful view along the river.

Address // Riverside Terrace 106, 1-10-23, Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo (map)
Phone Number // 03-3793-0051
Website // n/a

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