{ Thanks Nature }

2014, Oct 7

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 }

2014, Sep 11

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 }

2014, Aug 28

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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{ Local India }

2014, Aug 15

Delicious Nan bread. I mean, look at it!

This Indian restaurant is located in Ebisu near Ebisu Garden Place. They serve Indian Curry that is more favored to fit Japanese people’s taste. They use real spices from India but not as strong or spicy as authentic Indian curries.

Pictured above are the Curry lunch set which came with butter chicken curry, nan, and a drink for 950yen and the Tarry lunch set that comes with two different types of curry, rice, nan, chicken, salad, and a drink for 1250yen. You can also adjust the spiciness of your curry.

I would have to say even though it’s not authentic curry, everything was pretty good and I enjoyed the nan bread. It’s great that the nan is all you can eat even though it’s quite large already.

If you are looking for authentic curry, I recommend here.

Address // 2F, 1-23-8, EbisuMinami, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3793-1656
Website // http://www.localindia.jp

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{ ARIA }

2014, Aug 5

This hidden restaurant is a gem although it’s well known among the OL (ladies who work in the area). Located in Roppongi, ARIA is a pasta house that serves delicious handmade pasta. For lunch, you choose a pasta of your choice and it comes with a drink (coffee or tea) for only 950yen. We added 250yen to add an appetizer, small salad, and bread which I think is worth it.

You can choose 4 different sauces for your pasta. Oil, Tomato, Cream, or other. Pictured above are 3 different pastas we ordered for lunch. ‘Carbonara’, ‘Bacon and Mushroom Cauliflower Cream’, and I think the last one was “Today’s pasta”. They were all so good and the handmade pasta was delicious. You may initially think the portion size may not be enough but it’s surprisingly filling.

This is a popular place so I suggest coming right when it opens for lunch time or else you’ll be stuck waiting. I highly recommend this place if you are a pasta lover.

Lunch Hours: 11:30am – 3pm
Dinner Hours: 5:30 – 11:30pm

Address // 7-10-23, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3403-1670
Website // n/a

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{ Thanks Nature }

{ CENTRE the Bakery }

{ Yakitori Akira }

{ Local India }

{ ARIA }

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