Visit Tokyo: Barley Wheat

We stumbled upon Barley Wheat near our hotel in Tokyo one day, and decided to go there for dinner.

Kobusihana, Highball, Gingakougen

Nachos

Penne Arrabiata

Lasagna

Steak

Spare Ribs

Spicy Taco Rice

Garlic Toast

Millefeuille Cutlet of Smoked Ham

I didn't have any beer - I ordered a Highball (since I couldn't get enough Highballs while in Tokyo), but those who ordered the beers enjoyed them.

The food was good - nothing outstanding, but it was satisfying.

Everyone ordered their own individual small plates for dinner, and I opted for the Spicy Taco Rice.  It was tasty and indeed a bit spicy. The portions are adequate enough for a kid or even an adult - if you're not that hungry and you're not sharing with anyone else.  

If you love trying out craft beers, give this place a try!

Barley Wheat

1-5-6 Shibadaimon 

1F Seiwa Bldg.

Minato 105-0012, Tokyo Prefecture
+81 3-6459-0089

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Visit Tokyo: Le Pain Quotidien

Le Pain Quotidien is a worldwide bakery / cafe chain that originated in Brussels, and has three locations in Tokyo.

We went to the Shibakoen location twice - once to dine in, and once to pick up baked goods. 

Le Pain Quotidien offers a tantalizing array of baked goods, both sweet and savory.  You can watch the freshly-baked goods being made through a huge glass window.

Since it was sakura season, they even offered a couple of seasonal treats.

Sakura Scone, Chocolate D'amand, Belgian Chocolate Scone, Pain aux Raisins

Flute

Cinnamon Roll

Sakura Scone

Ham & Cheese Croissant

Sesame Bread

Belgian Brownie

The Sakura Scone was really delish!  

One of the top sellers is the Flute, which is rolled in hazelnuts and raisins.

Kids Mac and Cheese

Classic Croque Monsieur

Ham & Gruyere Omelette

Mushroom Omelette

I had the Classic Croque Monsiuer, which came with a mesclun salad, three types of mustard, and roasted potatoes.  It was a hearty meal!

Kids meals come with orange juice, fruit, and cookies!

The breads are definitely a must-try, whether you like sweet or savory.

Le Pain Quotidien was a great place for breakfast, and the perfect spot for a baked treat!


Le Pain Quotidien
3-3-1 Shibakoen, Minato 105-8560

Tokyo Prefecture
+81 3-6430-4157

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Visit Tokyo: Teshigotoya Fukunotori

After finding out that a restaurant we wanted to go to near Hamamatsucho Station did not have room for our party of 9, we walked around for several minutes until we found a restaurant that could accommodate our entire party - Teshigotoya Fukunotori.

This izakaya is a smoking restaurant, but fortunately, we were seated in a private room somewhat separate from the smokers. 

Edamame

Tofu Salad

Chicken Karaage

Chicken Nanban with Tartar Sauce

Chicken Skewers

Fried Rice with Soboro Style Ground Chicken

Rolled Omelet with Chicken Stock

Deep Fried Half-Cut Chicken

Shitamatchi Highball

Everyone ordered small dishes, which were really all reasonably-priced, ranging from 300 to 600 yen.

I thought I had ordered Chicken Karaage and Fries after pointing to a photo of fried chicken and fries (English menus are available), but it turned out the picture I was pointing to was a 1/2 bird (and it was almost 2000 yen!)!

I must say, however, that the fried chicken was the best I had in a really long time.

Teshigotoya Fukunotori was a good last-minute find!

Teshigotoya Fukunotori
2-3-25 Hamamatsucho

Minato 105-0013, Tokyo Prefecture
+81 3-5425-7087

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Visit Tokyo: Zojoji Temple

Zojoji is the "The Chief Temple of the Jodo-Buddist Sect."  It was very close to the hotel we stayed at in Tokyo, so early one cold, rainy morning, we went for a visit.

Pouring rain!

The grounds of the Temple are fairly large, but because of how cold and rainy it was, we only did a quick walk through of a small area.

Sangedatsumon (Main Gate)

Daibonsho (Big Bell)

Cleansing station

Daiden (Hondo: Main Hall)

Cleansing Station

Kumano (Yuya) Shrine

There is great significance to the positioning and location of the temple, as well as to other aspects of the grounds, like the number of stairs leading to the main hall.

Zojoji Temple is a very popular site for cherry blossom viewing, and we did see some as the season had just begun.

On the grounds you'll see hundreds of little statues called "care guardian deities of children." In addition as acting as a memorial for still birth or miscarried children, these statues also serve the purpose of protecting the safety of growing children and grandchildren. The statues are often donned with a red hat, red apron, and red pinwheel.

I hope to visit again when the weather is nicer, so we can see more of the area and take a closer look at the beautiful temple.

Zojoji Temple
Japan, 〒105-0011 Tokyo

港区Shibakoen, 4−7−35
+81 3-3432-1431

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Visit Tokyo: Ice Cream from FamilyMart

FamilyMart is one of many popular convenience store chains throughout Japan.

You can buy toiletries, books, umbrellas, and all sorts of other convenience items, but whenever we visited a FamilyMart, it was primarily for food.

FamilyMart offers all sorts of hot snacks, oden, musubi, pre-packaged goodies, and ice cream.

We bought a few omiyage items from FamilyMart, and one evening we stopped in just for an ice cream run.

We picked up a couple of Glico Giant Cones, a Morinaga Choco Monaka Jumbo, a Sakura Mochi Monaka, and a cup of Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Cookies Raspberry.

FamilyMart is a great stop if you need to pick up a few essentials and some omiyage, or if you have the munchies!

FamilyMart
Japan, 〒105-0011 Tōkyō-to, Minato-ku

Shibakōen, 1 Chome−２ 芝公園1丁目2−12
+81 3-5408-7452

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