Wine shops in Tokyo

A running list of shops for wine and spirits in Tokyo.

My personal favorite is Cave de Re-Lax in Toranomon. An awkward neighborhood and somewhat inconvenient, but a great selection of affordable wines for every day. The owner, Naito-san, is crazy about wine (literally crazy) and you can follow him and his daily wine consumption on his website`s blog which is linked below. Naito-san has recently added a tasting bar to his shop. So, stop by late in the day and have your aperitifs here.

Cave de Re-Lax Minato-ku, Nishi Shinbashi 1-6-11
Phone: 03-3595-3697
hours 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (no holidays)

Enoteca Ginza
Phone: 03-3571-1121

Yamaya Shinjuku
Phone: 03-3342-0601

Shibuya Tokyu Honten Department Store
Phone: 03-3477-3582

http://www.re-lax.co.jp/ (in Japanese and English)

Pick-up Sticks - where to go for chopsticks in Ginza

A variety of chopsticks and chopstick rests can keep you in this shop for hours. From shorter chopsticks for kids to elegant lacquer chopsticks that run the same price as a high end melon.
Just off the main crossing at Ginza, it is easy to find.

Ginza Natsuno Chuo-ku, Ginza 6-7-4
Phone 03-3569-0952

Call ahead to confirm hours. At the time of posting this blog it is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It closes at 7 p.m. on Sundays and national holidays.

http://e-ohashi.com/ (in Japanese)

Bar Implicito - Italian wine bar

In this huge metropolis of neon lights and winding streets, there is no lack of bars to have a glass of wine. But many of these places are uninspiring and lacking any enthusiasm. Thank god for friends like Ned Goodwin, undoubtedly Tokyo`s top sommelier, who is pursuing the Master of Wine in his free time.

Ned introduced me to Bar Implicito, conveniently located between Shibuya, Roppongi and Ebisu. An impressive wine list covering all the regions of Italy. Start off your evening with a glass of frizzante, red Lambrusco and finish off with a glass of Grappa. The menu is simple, but has exactly what one craves, toasty panini, umami-rich proscuitto and formaggio.

Open from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. for you late night owls.

Shibuya-ku, Higashi 4-6-3
Phone: 03-5774-4433
FYI - The website is in Japanese only.

http://www.implicito.com/

Fast Food in Tsukiji

Tsukiji is the world`s largest fish market. From my home in Monzennakacho, Tsukiji is just a few minutes away on my scooter. There are several places to grab a quick bite. One place that I frequent is Tsukiiji Donburi Ichiba. It is located in the outer market on the main street. The menu is simple, and I flip flop between the maguro (tuna) donburi and the grilled tuna cheeks donburi. Donburi is simply a large bowl of rich covered with toppings. The price is affordable starting at 700 yen per donburi. There are a few seats at the counter as well as a table set up on the sidewalk. A great place to watch the flow of customers coming to the market while filling up on a donburi.

Beyond Tokyo - other markets in Tokyo

Tsukiji is the world`s largest fish market. A popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The bustling market is packed with shops selling not just fresh fish, but vegetables, seaweed, kitchen gadgets, and much more. As well, a variety of restaurants, many very simple open stalls, offering cheap eats. A great place to grab a bite, and it is not just raw fish.

Tsukiji is not the only market in the city. Following is a list of the other markets in Tokyo:
Adachi - fish Itabashi - fruits, vegetables and flowers
Kasai - fruits, vegetables and flowers
Kita-Adachi - fruits and vegetables
Matsubara-bunjou - fruits and vegetables
Ota - fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers
Setagaya - fruits, vegetables and flowers
Shokuniku - meat
Tama New Town - fruits and vegetables
Toshima - fruits and vegetables
Tsukiji - fish, fruits and vegetables
Yodobashi - fruits and vegetables


Here are some links (in Japanese):
Adachi Ichiba http://homepage2.nifty.com/adachi-ichiba/

Tsukiji http://tsukijishijo.seesaa.net/

Bistro Sanyo at Ota Market Check out the popular "set menu" of uni. There are only 20 sets available per day, and a bargain at 1,200 yen (about $10 U.S.). The uni set meal is the second photo down. http://bistro-sanyo.com/standard-menu.htm

And of course, beyond the above, you have Kappabashi for plastic food, and kitchen gadgets, located close to Asakusa. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3020.html

Oriol Balaguer - chocolates from Spain in Shirogane

I was seduced by a Spaniard in Shiroganedai, and he offered me unique chocolates. Oriol Balaguer`s shop is an intimate space, if you can find it. He blew my mind with a firecracker chocolate. If there is one chocolate you should try, this is it. I have never had a chocolate go snap, crackle and pop in my mouth before, a brilliant concept that works. He tempted me with his unique ?Nippon Collection? featuring a savory soy sauce, a spicy wasabi and a roasty, toasty hojicha tea. But he won my Midwestern heart with a chocolate that was filled with crunchy bits of corn. Oriol spent 7 years as the pastry chef at El Bulli in Spain with the gastronomic innovator Adrian Ferran, which explains his creative flair.

Oriol Balaguer
Shiroganedai 4-9-18 Barbizon 32-2F

Gotta Get - Bakeries in Tokyo

Having lived in Brussels for a year, I was spoiled as my neighborhood bakery was "Le Pain Quotidian". Tokyo too has its share of world-class boulangeries. Go to Viron for French baguettes with a crispy crust and a chewy crumb. For delicate and rich pain au chocolat I head straight to Maison Kayser. And for savory focaccia doused in olive oil and salt Peck will not disappoint.

Peck is located in Takashimaya department store.
Nihonbashi Takashimaya
Chuo-ku, Nihonbashi 2-4-1
phone 03-3211-4111

Shinjuku Takashimaya
Shibuya-ku, Sendagaya 5-24-2
phone 03-5361-1206


Viron Tokyo
Chiyoda-ku, Marunouchi 2-7-3, Tokyo Building, Tokia 1F
phone 03-5220-7288

Viron Shibuya
Shibuya-ku, Udagawa-cho 33-8
phone 03-5458-1770


Maison Kayser
Nihonbashi Chuo-ku, Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Coredo B1F
phone 03-3516-0030

Maison Kayser Shirogane Takanawa
Minato-ku, Shirogane Takanawa 1-4-21
phone 03-5420-9683

Maison Kayser is also found in the following department stores:
Tokyo Daimaru
Ginza Matsuya