TOKYO Calendar:

TOKYO Epicure:

KITTE Marunouchi

- 丸の内 Marunouchi

Shopping Mall

http://jptower-kitte.jp

Address:
東京都千代田区丸の内2-7-2
2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
(東京駅 Tokyo station:  山の手線 Yamanote JR line, 1 min walk.  Kitte is located just opposite the JR station)
(東京駅 Tokyo station:  丸ノ内線 Marunouchi metro line.  Direct access to underground passage)
Tel:  (03) 3213 7056 
Opening hours:
Shops
Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00
Sun & Public holidays 11:00-20:00 (the day before holidays till 21:00)
Restaurants & Cafes
Mon-Sat 11:00-23:00
Sun & Public holidays 11:00-22:00 (the day before holidays till 23:00)
KITTE GRANCHÉ

Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00
Sun & Public holidays 11:00-20:00 (the day before holidays till 21:00)
Features:
Shops, restaurants & cafes.
Formerly the Tokyo Central Post office, this building has now turned into a shopping mall with the name 'KITTE' coming from the japanese word for postage stamps.  This is the first  commercial facility developed by Japan Post. 
Recommend:
Shops
PHARMACY e.m. 
Comments:
Newly opened just a week before our visit. 

Front entrance

TOKYO Escape:

つるとんたん (TSURUTONTAN)

- 丸の内 Marunouchi SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

$ Udon

http://www.tsurutontan.co.jp

Address: 
BIS TOKYO(丸の内店):
〒100-6490東京都千代田区丸の内2-7-3東京ビル（TOKIA）B1F
B1F, TOKIA, 2-7-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6490
(**check website for other branches)
Tel:  (03) 3214 2626
Opening hours: 
Daily 11:00-23:00 (LO 22:30)
Features: 
Huge udon bowls
Recommend: 
きつね、天扶良、肉の三重奏 つるとん三昧 (Tsuruton Sanmai) JPY1800
Comments:
Although udon is not so much a Kanto food, this is a very popular udon restaurant in Tokyo that always has a long queue.  The prices here however are much higher than the average udon however the portions are a lot bigger and the menu offers a wide variety to choose from.

Super long queue before and after we went in

自由が丘雑貨屋さん散策 JIYUGAOKA Lifestyle Stores Guide Map:

View 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka in a larger map

トレインチ TRAINCHI:
1.  Natural Kitchen
2.  one's terrace
3.  KAREL CAPEK Teatime Shop
4.  D-Couture

SUNSET ALLEY:
5.  Hotch Potch
6.  Village Vanguard
7.  KEYUCA
8.  quatre saisons
9.  Watashi no Heya

Exiting Sunset Alley:
10.  Today's Special
11.  Momo Natural

ラズ LUZ:
12. MARIMEKKO

GREEN STREET PROMENADE グリーンストリート (九品仏川緑道):
13.  MUJI


Other useful guide maps:
http://www.greentimes.co.jp/jiyu_map.html

Useful sites:
http://www.jiyugaoka.net

TOKYO Hunt:

寿司が丘 (SUSHI GA OKA)

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka

$$ 寿司 Sushi

http://r.gnavi.co.jp/p430500

Address:
〒152-0035 東京都目黒区自由が丘2-11-7 LaTourCan-dela 4F
4F, LaTourCandela, 2-11-7, Jiyugaoka, Meguro, Tokyo 152-0035
Tel: (03) 3725 6224
Opening hours:
Tue-Sun (Lunch) 12:00-14:00 (LO 13:45)
             (Dinner) 17:30-23:00 (LO 22:30)
Features:
鮨創作和食 Sushi fusion
Comments:
Sushi chef was english-speaking and came over to talk to us...

TODAY'S SPECIAL

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

Concept store

http://www.todaysspecial.jp

Address: 
152-0035東京都目黒区自由が丘2-17-8

2-17-8, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-0035
Tel:  (03) 5729 7131
Opening hours: 
Daily 11:00-21:00
Features: 
Homeware
Kitchen/Cookware
Cooking supplies
Clothes
Plants
Cafe restaurant (3/F)
Comments:
This concept store in Jiyugaoka was formerly named 'CIBONE' (one of my favourite concept retail brand and design stores) and and has now turned into one of CIBONE's flagship brands 'Today's Special Jiyugaoka'.  Although you may not end up really buying anything, these are one of those stores that's always worth checking out for its overall store and product design.

fève

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka

Sweets

http://feve-jiyugaoka.jp

Address: 
(本店) 東京都目黒区自由が丘 1-29-14 Jフロントビル1F
(Flagship) 1/F, J Front Building, 1-29-14, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Tel:  (03) 6421 4825
Opening hours:
Daily 10:00-20:00
Features:
Packaged sweets made from beans

quatre saisons

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka

Lifestyle goods / Home fashion

http://www.quatresaisons.co.jp

Address:
152-0035東京都目黒区自由が丘2-9-3キャトル・セゾン トキオQuatre Saison Tokio
Tel:  z903) 3725 8590
Opening hours: 
Mon-Fri 11:00-20:00
Sat, Sun & Public holidays 11:00-19:30Features: 
Natural and raw style home fashion accessories

ポパイカメラ POPEYE CAMERA

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

Specialty Store / Camera shop

http://www.popeye.jp

Address: 
〒152-0035東京都目黒区自由が丘2-9-8

2-9-8, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-0035
(自由が丘駅 Jiyugaoka station:  東急東横線 Tokyu Toyoko line, 正面口 Main exit, 2 min walk)

Tel:  (03)  6421 3126
Opening hours: 
Daily 11:00-20:00
Features: 
Small special selection of cameras for sale with extensive range of camera accessories
Film and picture services
Recommend: 
Camera straps and cases

D-Couture

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

Fashion & Home Accessories

Address: 
東京都目黒区自由が丘2-13-1トレインチ1F
1/F, Trainchi, 2-13-1, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
(自由が丘駅 Jiyugaoka station: 東急東横線 Tokyu Toyoko line, 正面口/南口 Main or South exit, 1 minute walk)Tel:  (03) 3721 1345
Opening hours:
Daily 10:00-20:00
Features:
Vintage style fashion accessories and homeware
Comments:
This is a great place to search for those vintage style home accessories to decorate your house at relatively budget prices (i.e. compared to the real vintage stuff).  They also offer classy fashion accessories such as necklaces, earrings, headbands, charms, watches, bags, shoes, etc.

KAREL CAPEK Teatime Shop

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka

Tea store

http://www.karelcapek.co.jp

Address:
東京都目黒区自由が丘2-13-1トレインチ2F
2/F, Trainchi, 2-13-1, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
(自由が丘駅 Jiyugaoka station: 東急東横線 Tokyu Toyoko line, 正面口/南口 Main or South exit, 1 minute walk)Tel:  (03) 6805 6185
Opening hours: 
Daily 10:00-20:00
Features: 
Children's room-like interior design store
Tea & tea accessories
Other various goods such as tableware, kitchenware

one's terrace

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka

Lifestyle goods

http://www.world.co.jp/onesterrace

Address: 
東京都目黒区自由が丘2-13-1トレインチ2F
2/F, Trainchi, 2-13-1, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
(自由が丘駅 Jiyugaoka station: 東急東横線 Tokyu Toyoko line, 正面口/南口 Main or South exit, 1 minute walk)

(**check website for other branches)
Tel:  (03) 5483 8866
Opening hours: 
Daily 10:00-20:00
Features:
Homeware

NATURAL KITCHEN

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

Lifestyle goods

http://www.natural-kitchen.jp

Address:
東京都目黒区自由が丘2-13-1トレインチ2F

2/F, Trainchi, 2-13-1, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
(自由が丘駅 Jiyugaoka station: 東急東横線 Tokyu Toyoko line, 正面口/南口 Main or South exit, 1 minute walk)
Tel:  (03) 3721 7111
Opening hours:
Daily 10:00-20:00
Features: 
100, 300, 500, 1000, 1500 yen shop selling kitchen/homeware, craft supplies with homely, raw, natural colour schemes
Recommend:
Kitchenware
Comments:
My number one favourite store at Trainchi.  I always end up with a bag full of things for home...

TRAINCHI Jiyugaoka

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

Shopping Complex

http://trainchi.jp

Address:
東京都目黒区自由が丘2-13-1

2-13-1, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

(自由が丘駅 Jiyugaoka station:  東急東横線 Tokyu Toyoko line, 正面口/南口 Main or South exit, 1 minute walk)

Tel:  (03) 3477 0109
Opening hours:
Shops
Daily 10:00-20:00
Restaurants
(vary)
Features:
Natural Kitchen (2/F)
One's Terrace (2/F)
Karel Capek Teatime Shop (2/F)
D-Couture (1/F)
Boulangerie Asanoya (1/F)
Comments:
This is just less than a minute's walk from the Jiyugaoka train station just next to the train tracks (guess that's where it got its name 'Train'chi).  
This is always a place I must make a quick stop at (well, usually ends up way longer than expected) as there is ALWAYS something to buy at Natural Kitchen, a great 100 yen (but not everything) store - be sure to check it out.  The other shop I also must stop at is the bakery 'Boulangerie Asanoya' for the blueberry bread...

浅野屋 (Boulangerie ASANOYA)

- 自由が丘 Jiyugaoka SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

$ Bakery Cafe


http://www.b-asanoya.com/

Address:
(自由が丘店) 東京都目黒区自由が丘2-13-1　Trainchi D棟
(Jiyugaoka branch) Trainchi, 2-13-1 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
(自由が丘駅 Jiyugaoka station: 東横線 Toyoko train line, 正面口 Main exit, 1 min walk)
Tel: (03) 5731 6950
Opening hours:
Daily 08:30-21:00
Features:
軽井沢 Karuizawa bread
Recommend:
軽井沢ブルーベリー Karuizawa Blueberry bread
Comments:
Always revisited this place just for the blueberry bread.  Occassionally they will have some new flavours like strawberry which is good as well.

AOBADAI N_1221

- 中目黒 Nakameguro SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

$ Fusion

http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131701/13152446
http://nakamejournal.com/n_1221.html
http://www.behance.net/gallery/N_1221-AOBADAI/7586669

Address:
〒153-0042東京都目黒区青葉台1-22-1

1-22-1 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0042

(中目黒駅 Nakameguro station: 日比谷線 Hibiya metro line, 2 mins walk)Tel:  (03) 6452 3723
Opening hours:
Daily 11:00-00:00
Features:
創作和食 Japanese fusionSeasonal vegetarian dishes
Recommend:
本日のお任せ焼き野菜 4種類盛(honjitsu no omakase yaki yasai yon-shuu mori)
Daily recommended grilled vegetables 4 types JPY1600

鶏の竜田揚げ 山椒おろしかけ (tori no tatsuta age sansho oroshi kake)  

Japanese fried chicken with Japanese pepper JPY680

南瓜とさつまい芋の唐揚げ (kabocha to satsumaimo no kara-age) 

Japanese fried pumpkin & sweet potato JPY580

美彩巻き寿司 (misai maki zushi) Misai sushi rolls JPY980

Comments:
We were lucky enough to get a table by the window to enjoy a direct view of the Sakura trees along the Meguro river.  Loved the design of this place.  Definitely a great place and location to spend an afternoon at.
The menu features a lot of different seasonal vegetables and overall all the dishes were very suited to my palate.  
The portions are small (suitable for the ladies) but then you can order more different dishes to try.

中目黒 目黒川 桜 花見 Cherry Blossoms at MEGURO RIVER, NAKAMEGURO 2013

- 中目黒 Nakameguro SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

River

Address: 

Located along the Meguro River in Nakameguro.
(中目黒駅 Nakameguro station: 日比谷線 Hibiya metro line, 1 min. walk)
Tel: -
Opening hours: -
Features: 
Cafes, restaurants & shops located along the river
Comments:
A very popular spot for cherry blossom watching and one of my favourites.   Grab a table at one of the eateries along the riverside and you can get a nice direct view of the cherry blossom trees (check out Aobadai N_1221).

和牛専門店焼肉ジャンボ (JUMBO)

- 白金 Shirokane SLEEPY EYE's PICK!

$$ 焼肉 (Yakiniku) Japanese BBQ Grill


http://yakiniku-jambo.com/

Address:
(白金店)〒108-0072　東京都港区白金3-1-1第一麻布ビル1F
(Shirokane branch) 1F Daiichi Azabu Building, 3-1-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo #108-0072
(白金高輪駅 Shirokane Takanawa station: 南北線 Nanboku metro line, 10-15 mins walk)
Tel: (03) 5795 4129
Opening hours:
Daily 17:00-24:00
Recommend:
*Check the daily special sign board or ask about daily specials (note: beef tongue is always a sell out and a must have)
王道 Royal road menu:
和牛上タン (wagyu jou tan) Superior cut of beef tongue JPY2000
稀少部位 （ウデ）Prime Cuts (arm) menu:
ミスジ (misuji) JPY2800
サンカク (sankaku)  JPY2100
Comments:
Last visit was in 2009.  Revisited in 2013 for the third time and the waiter there told us recently they have had many international customers.
They always have some delicious Prime Cuts and super juicy beef tongues.

May be bit of a walk from the closest station - suggest you to take a taxi there from an earlier station

Cool looking lounge by the entrance where customers may leave the dining area to smoke or drink

Dining area

Big paper bibs for customers

The daily special sign board

Learn the different beef cuts in Japanese

和牛上タン切り落とし Cut off beef tongue

Decided to order some regular cuts (上カルビ、上ハラミ) before spoiling ourselves with the Prime Cuts

Some veggies to balance our meal out

Popular recommendation from the Prime Cut menu #1 サンカク Sankaku - yummy!  

These are super thin cuts.

Popular recommendation from the Prime Cut menu #2 ミスジ Misuji - thumbs up!

Another very thin cut.

We encored the Misuji cuts - second order was with pepperish salty seasoning.

They even show videos on their TVs to show you the right way to cook the different cuts.  For this super-thin Misuji cut, they advise you to only grill it for 3 seconds on each side, and then roll it up.  

Popular & limited dish #1 和牛上タン Superior cut of beef tongue - a MUST try!  

Would advise you to order this first off before they sell out for the night.  

The waitress was about to tell us it was sold out but then recalled they might have one dish available left...lucky us!  This totally topped it for the night...

Sorbet

Cute cow head toilet signs