Osteria La Libera @ Ebisu

March 30, 2022 Dave Perry

***Roast pork with seasonal vegetables***

Osteria La libera’s counter, table and (limited) ‘terrace’ seating options, as well its casual street-side osteria atmosphere, friendly service and responsive kitchen, ensure a comfortable experience whether dining alone or with company.

The menu offers three competitively-priced lunch courses by day and an evening a la carte selection of over fifty dishes focused on authentic, Piedmont-inspired Italian cuisine utilizing carefully selected Italian and Kamakura vegetables, Sajima fish, Gunma game meats and fresh made pastas.

The winning combination of prix fixe lunch courses, reasonably priced ‘session wines’ and resulting cost performance encourages repeat visits.

Osteria La Libera

03 6452 4853

Peter Luger Steak House @ Ebisu

February 28, 2022 Dave Perry

The recently opened Peter Luger Steak House is spearheading the rejuvenation of Ebisu’s Garden Place district and bringing a much needed touch of class to Tokyo’s grill scene.

The entire experience, from setting, ambience, service and food is a cut (and then some) above that of incumbent big name steak houses and successfully delivers a sense of sophistication and indulgence.

It ain’t cheap, but the dry-aged USDA prime steaks are sublime and the portions impressive.

Peter Luger Steak House

050 3311 3744

Ta-im @ Ebisu

February 24, 2022 Dave Perry

Dan Zuckerman and his wife Akiko have been delighting diners with their authentic Israeli cooking for a little over a decade now, and judging by the regular queues its popularity shows no signs of waning.

Using only the freshest locally sourced meat, fish and vegetables combined with tahini, spices and wines imported from Israel, Ta-im’s menu offers a broad range of moreish vegetarian, vegan and meat dishes perfect for either a light bite or an indulgent meal.

Particular favourites are the lunch plates, such as the Ta-im Special, which provide a flavoursome array of menu highlights at a reasonable price.

Ta-im

03 5424 2990

The Tender House @ Shirokanedai

January 23, 2022 Dave Perry

***Sliced chicken marinate with pickled red cabbage and onion***

***Warm pork and potato ‘papa chancho’ salad***

***Beef terrine with potato gateau and sour cream sauce***

***Spicy Peruvian seafood soup of white fish with clams, mussels and peppers***

***Amazonian cacao chocolate terrine with cream and ice cream***

The Tender House has come a long way since its early Fawlty Towers-like beginnings, having vastly improved the quality of staff hygiene, attire, tablewear navigation and service delivery.

While the 60s-chic interior and terrace facade still provide the same stylish setting and mellow ambience, the kitchen has, thankfully, taken a new direction, leaving behind the uninspired American grill menu to refocus around colourful, spice-infused contemporary Peruvian cuisine.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner service is offered, of which the lunch menu is the most satisfying; something that, judging by the lunchtime crowds and empty evening tables, isn’t lost on most clientele.

The Tender House

03 6455 7728

Shichikōsan @ Gakugei-Daigaku

January 20, 2022 Dave Perry

Shichikōsan is a classic neighbourhood yakiniku joint frequented by thirsty salarymen, dating couples, ravenous families and everyone else in between.

The unpretentious interior, atmosphere and service elevate the focus on reasonably priced, generously thick cuts of prime black wagyū beef and (for the so inclined) assorted offal, of which the store’s speciality dish is the immense ‘Dragon Cut Diaphragm.’

The quality of the meat is excellent, tending toward lean rather than too heavily marbled, and combined with the option to bring-your-own-bottle (corkage ¥1,000) delivers undeniable cost performance.

Shichikōsan

03 3712 8779