Cicada

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I had lunch at Cicada yesterday, a Mediterranean/Moroccan inspired restaurant in Nishi-Azabu. One of the very few places I know in Tokyo that serve proper tagine/tajine. Great food, service, and atmosphere.

Hummus with grilled flat bread 

Spicy Moroccan Crab Cakes

Fish Tagine with Cous-Cous

Dinner & Drinks in Kagurazaka

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I had dinner with a friend at Lugdunum Bouchon Lyonnais in Kaurazaka Saturday evening. Chef Christophe Paucod, born in Lyon, has created this cozy two-story bouchon that serves Lyon-style dishes, in a very Lyonesque-atmosphere (landscape pictures adorn the walls, next to the antiques that decorate the shelves, all of which were brought in from guess where - yes, Lyon).

Smoked salmon tartar 

Rabbit Conift served on mashed potatoes

Grilled John Dory

We didn't stay for desert however, instead, we headed over to Bar Jug (contrary to the name, it was a very chic, comfy little bar with a very impressive menu) Below: bourbon on the rocks (that ice did not melt the entire time we were there - perfection)

Ramen & Gyoza

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Ramen: Japanese noodles served in broth. People in Japan take the broth seriously, and some ramen places simmer their pots for 5 days to get that savory flavor.
Gyoza: Dumplings with meat (usually pork) and vegetable fillings. Dipped in soy sauce and vinegar (and hot chili oil).

Ramen is comfort food for most Japanese people - both kids and adults. It's what people crave after a night of drinking, or simply when you're hungry.

I had a very fun night out last night, which ended with ramen and gyoza at Ippudo in Roppongi (there is an Ippudo New York as well, which I have yet to try - I wonder if it's the same). Rich tonkotsu (pork bone base) soup, thin al dente noodles, and the perfect amount of toppings. I think I can go out on a limb and say that their ramen is the best in Tokyo.
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All these tomatoes..

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What am I meant to do with all these beautiful tomatoes?

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Work took me to Niigata Prefecture yesterday. The nature of the visit was art-related, but somehow I ended up with close to 15 freshly picked plump tomatoes and 2 very large sweet potatoes dug up that day. They are gorgeous, but I kind of don't know what to do with them.
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Food and drinks on a Thursday night

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Last night I had dinner with S, a high school friend I'd not seen in almost 2 years. We had dinner at a lovely Italian restaurant in Jiyugaoka. Jiyugaoka is one of many areas of Tokyo with lots of little shops, cafes, and restaurants. Shame that I've only been there twice (including last night)...I do like to explore but tend to stay in my hood - Juban and Roppongi. I completely forgot the name of the restaurant, and wouldn't know how to go about searching online as there are hundreds of little Italian places in that area, but did manage to take a photo of the dessert. Their Apple Pie ala mode was one of the best I have ever had.
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Then on my way back home from dinner I ran into my friend Mika (really bizarre - what are the chances of running into anyone on a Tokyo subway!) and joined her and her former colleagues visiting from overseas for some drinks. We went to Ebisu Yokocho, a retro-looking, festive alleyway lined with yatai (food stalls) reminiscent of downtown Tokyo in the 60's. It opened not too long ago, and is a great place to go with a group of friends for fun eating and drinking.
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Having just eaten, I stuck to umeshu (plum wine) in the beginning. We went from one stall to the next, and ended up at this wine bar where they served steamed vegetables. Why they serve steamed vegetables at a wine bar is beyond me, but the radishes I had were detectable.
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