Bar de Opincho @ Gakugei-Daigaku

March 26, 2023 Dave Perry

***Lamb meatballs in cream cheese sauce***

***Fried gnocchi and blue cheese gratin***

***Scallops, asparagus and new potato ajillo***

***Iberico pork meatballs in tomato sauce***

***Pasta with basil and tomato bolognese***

A popular addition to Gakugei-Daigaku’s increasingly interesting dining scene, this small yet lively Spanish restaurant’s menu covers a variety of pinchos and tapas standards, supplemented by daily and seasonal specials.

The pinchos moriawase is a good place to start, providing a selection of the day’s choice morsels, a little omakase anticipation and a fun array of ingredients and flavours. When available, the Ezo venison pinchos or breaded cutlets are not to be missed.

Washed down with some reasonably priced table wine or the punchy Sangria, the light bites at Bar de Opincho make for an enjoyable meal.

Bar de Opincho

03 6452 3946

Savoy Tomato & Cheese @ Azabu-Jūban

February 28, 2023 Dave Perry

***“Pizza Y” Yamayuki Pacific bluefin tuna and wasabi pizza***

***“Pizza O” Mozzarella and Ozaki beef pizza***

With a heritage reaching back to the original Nakameguro Savoy of the mid-1990s (now Seirinkan), Savoy Tomato & Cheese’s internationally renowned Neapolitan pizzas have featured in Netflix series Ugly Delicious, and are gushingly described as no less than “the best in the world,” or at least “better than anything outside of Italy.”

The veracity of such assertions aside, whether it be the classic Margherita, garlicky Marinara, or the distinctly Japanese flavours of the tuna and wasabi Pizza Y, these crispy, fluffy-light pizza are undeniably fantastic.

Despite a somewhat byzantine reservation system and resulting queues (Savoy T&C is currently taking up the slack since the closure of the other Azabu-Jūban Savoy), dining at this fine pizzeria is not only a culinary delight, but also just plain fun.

Savoy Tomato & Cheese

03 3451 6699

Toriishi @ Sangenjaya

January 31, 2023 Dave Perry

***Appetiser of age-dōfu and abura-age***

***Negima (chicken and green onion) and chicken hearts***

***Tsukune (chicken mince) stuffed peppers***

***Nankotsu karaage (deep fried chicken cartilage)***

Toriishi is a wonderful neighbourhood yakitori-ya which although less refined than some more up-market takes on grilled chicken, nevertheless remains immensely popular and deserving of repeat visits.

Known for the quality of its yakitori standards, catch-of-the-day sashimi and moreish bowls of fried rice, Toriishi’s popularity is bolstered by generous portions, excellent cost performance, lively atmosphere and proximity to Sangenjaya station.

As reservations aren’t accepted, arriving early to avoid extended waits is advisable.

Toriishi

03 5430 1002

Shirogane Baru @ Shirogane

December 12, 2022 Dave Perry

***Tomato, peppers and olive appetizer***

***Charcoal grilled pincho of black pork loin and horse skirt steak***

A fixture of the Ebisu 3-chome/ Shirogane shōtengai intersection’s lively dining scene, Shirogane Baru has been serving up tasty tapas, paella and basque cheesecake amidst a cozy kitchen-counter setting for nigh on two decades.

Perhaps a little behind more contemporary takes on classic Spanish cuisine, the menu nevertheless provides plenty of variety, supplemented by a reasonably priced wine list (the thirsty can enjoy a second bottle at half price).

The popular basque cheesecake is also available for takeout or online purchase.

Shirogane Bar

03 5423 3236

Shirogane Toritama Bekkan @ Ebisu

November 28, 2022 Dave Perry

Popular with yakitori aficionados and gourmands alike, Toritama enjoys an internationally recognized reputation for quality ingredients, a particular focus on rarer chicken parts (in some cases as many as six chickens are required to create a single skewer), and a knack for wine and sake pairings that further elevate the dining experience.

A cut above most neighbourhood yakitori-ya, the menu, service and ambience is marked by a simplicity and confidence that draws eager yet discerning crowds year round.

Shirogane Toritama Bekkan

03 3447 5520