3.26.2023. Day 3. Tsujihan + Sakuragaokachō + Bar Centifolia. Nihonbashi + Shibuya + Minato City. Tokyo. Japan.

On our day 3 in Tokyo I had planned for us to eat at Tsujihan, the only line I was willing to be in for in Tokyo. They open at 11AM so we got there at 9:45AM to be first in line. If you were in line by 10AM, you are already in the second seating as they can only fit 12 at the counter. If you go later in the day, the line can be 3+ hours long. Go with a friend so you can catch up in line. We each took turns walking around admiring the cherry blossoms down the street.









There are only 4 choices of kaisendon at Tsujihan. I love uni, so I went for their classic tokujyo. This is easily one of the most delicious and affordable seafood bowls you can get in Tokyo at this quality at $28. Please save the sashimi for part 2 of the meal when you are half way through with your bowl. Then you put the bowl on the counter and the chef will pour a sea bream broth with yuzu and turning it into the MOST decadent ochazuke. I still dream of this! This is one of the most memorable meals I have ever had, and I hope you get to try it too.

Tsujihan
〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi
3 Chome−1−15 久栄ビル １階
Japan
+81 3-6262-0823











After I got full, jet lag hit me hard. So I went back home to try to nap to meet up with my friend in the evening. Since it rained, I suggested us meeting up at Sakuragaokachō in Shibuya before making our merry way to Minato City for drinks that night. I figured it would be gorgeous there lit up at night with possibilities of reflections from the rain on the ground. As you can see, it was straight up influencers in the wild, but stunning regardless.















Then we made our way to Minato City to grab dinner with fresh produce again before our reservation at Bar Centifolia. As a non-drinker, it takes a lot for me to check out a bar. I have to say, my top 2 bar experiences ever are both in Tokyo, and I had no idea that Bar Centifolia would be the second. Owner Yuzo Komai is one of the best bartenders in Tokyo, and possibly the world. He also loves Ted (the movies) so most of his drinks come with Ted for company. Reservations are required and there is no menu or prices; they only carry top shelf to ultra top shelf bottles. Their most expensive is a ¥4.000.000 or $30,410 a shot 50 year old Japanese whiskey. Yes, of course I tried to get a drop! He will smoke the whiskey in front of you with a piece of oak before proceeding with bringing out these pristine knives to cut the perfect ice cubes before dropping it into a glass and place in front of you with the perfect spin each time before the pour. My friend and I thought we would just get a drink and get out as it is smokey in there. Little did we know that we would be entranced by how Yuzo Komai makes his drinks all night. My friend got his signature mint mojito and I got his signature strawberry drink. He also made me a mango sorbet for my birthday that came with 5 Teds escorts. His specialty are fruit drinks and the flavors are very subtle and I appreciated their subtleties not being overpowered by the alcohol. I would highly recommend this experience if you appreciate next level craft. Beware that there is a price tag that goes with this next level experience with a cover charge.

Bar Centifolia
〒106-0045 Tokyo, Minato City, Azabujuban
1 Chome−6−5 ラミューズ麻布十番ビル6F ラミュウーズ十番ビル
Japan
+81 3-3478-6228

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3.25.2023. Day 2. bills + Reissue + L'atelier à ma façon + Nakameguro. Shibuya + Setagaya + Meguro. Tokyo. Japan.

On this rainy day we explored Shibuya some more! We walked to the train station to take it to Harajuku so we don't get soaked first thing in the morning.



We had breakfast at bills as we were craving greens. One thing to note is that it would be wise to mix in fresh green and other flavors when in Japan so you don't overdo it on dashi/fish/seaweed/sodium. Because that fatigue is real. It's a well lit large space with plenty of green options. Which was exactly what we needed with our jet lag and dashi filled meals prior with no green produce.

bills
〒150-0001 Tokyo
Shibuya City, Jingumae
4 Chome−30−3 東急プラザ 表参道原宿 7F
Japan
+81 3-5772-1133











Then next order of business is off to Reissue for 3D latte art and for a proper coffee! I went for Totoro and my friend went for cats. I asked for Totoro to be with a usagi, but clearly they did not hear me. Unless you see a rabbit in that mix?

Reissue
3 Chome-25-7 Jingumae
Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001
Japan







Obligatory.



Then we took the train across town to L'atelier à ma façon for parfaits. Bear in mind that Tokyo is rather large, so it takes time to cut across town. Since we were unable to go to another place for parfaits I was lusting after for this trip, I decided upon L'atelier à ma façon instead. As you know, I have quite a knack for finding exceptional things around the globe before they blow up huge. L'atelier à ma façon is whimsical, charming, enchanting, cosy, dreamy, enticing, and ultimately magic in physical form. I would like to live there. The interior, the serveware, the pendants, the bathroom! You are required to order a parfait each with a drink. The entire menu is in Japanese, so please have Google Translate ready. My friend was so blown away by both the presentation and the flavors and textures of the parfait that she thinks it's the best she has ever had. It is in my top 3 for sure. I suspect where I wanted to go instead would rival this. My friend got the citrus and I got the strawberry with pistachios. That last one is the white strawberry that the person next to us got. This entire experience at L'atelier à ma façon was what made this the MOST magical afternoon treat.

L'atelier à ma façon
1 Chome-26-14 Kaminoge
Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0093
Japan

























Since we passed Nanameguro on the way to L'atelier à ma façon via train, we stopped there on the way home after parfaits. As you can see, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the petals were already fluttering onto the ground and river with each gust of wind, which is called sakura-fubuki, one of my favorite sights ever.