http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131702/13168951/

This place opened up right across from us.  This is the "Delia Smith" of Japan's restaurant.  Lots of kitchenware and whatnot on sale.  Maybe they do lessons too?

Birthday time! Probably one of my favourite Japanese cuisines is yakitori aka grilled chicken aka "chicken on sticks". There are a few Michelin rated yakitori places in Tokyo, but I reckoned Bird Court was the most low key - and that's the way yakitori should be - hence it was the one I wanted to try. If it's ponced up too much, it loses its charm... IMHO. So we rode the entire Hibiya line (stops 01-21, maybe 45 mins) to get to Kitasenju and the chicken delights that lay beyond.

We plumped for the set course at ¥6,300, comprising a few initial amuse bouches, and small plates (including sashimi of chicken breast), some 8 sticks of chicken and veg goodness, and a seasonal carb finish - oyakodon (with special black truffle garnish for Jan and Feb).

Chicken and ginger soup was a highlight. As was the super creamy, caramel like pâté. Sticks were all excellent, especially my favourite - tsukune, with amazing fresh creamy egg yolk to dip. We were totally stuffed by the time the carb arrived. Decent wine list, and Augustiner on tap was a nice touch. Good value. Good chicken. Nom!

http://s.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1324/A132402/13003769/ 

3-68 Senju, Adachi-ku, Tokyo, 120-0034 

I started developing a burger craving on the way home from Akiba (terebi shopping), and I'd seen Sasa from the platform at Daikanyama. So the seeds were sown. With merely a slice each of toast for brekky, and wiff and I were ready to nom by 17:30. It's a cute little place, and reminded me of somewhere I haven't yet put my finger on.

On to the food. Burgers come in S/M/L (80g, 100g and 125g respectively) and are comprised of 100% wagyu beef. There is also a massive cake sized Birthday Burger for ¥4980!

I chose a bacon cheeseburger, which arrived promptly on a wholewheat bun garnished with mayo, lettuce, tomato and onions. Fries and pickle on the side. I added ketchup and yellow mustard and got stuck in. The burger had quite a heavy seasoning of black pepper, similar to Authentic in Akasaka. The wiff found it borderline OTT, but maaan for me - it hit the spot. Beefy, bun going gooey mixing with that great meaty taste. Could perhaps be rarer (no option offered). Fries and pickle however left much to be desired. Bog standard mass catering fare. Mug of Carlsberg on the side though, and I was in Sunday heaven.

http://s.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130303/13086561/

2-21-15 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3770-1951. Open daily 11am-11pm (LO 10:30).
www.hijiriya.co.jp

Lots of Japanese microbrew beers on tap. Real nice folks behind the bar. Pretty darn pricey. Check in with Foursquare and your first beer is free though. Apparently the Corned Beef is a speciality. I couldn't read the spiel, so wasn't sure how it came. So went for safety with freshly fried onion rings. Will return when I want expensive tasty beer.

http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13118677/

B1F, 5-1-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Ben and Kyoko were in town so we had to find them something good to eat.  いふう
appeared to fit the bill, and fit the bill it did!






Dark Yebisu on tap for ¥650.  Tasty.  Lots of "rare" shochu available too.  Choose your sake cup for each new taste!  Proprieter is super friendly and lots of fun.  Highly recommended.

¥22000 for 4, with drinks all round.

東京都目黒区上目黒2-7-11 / 207011 Kamimeguro

http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131701/13018859/