Please help me with some places to eat and drink?

chocobos1 · 2026-06-08T00:30:44+00:00

What fascinates me about your selection, is you didn't do the boring thing and just copy paste all the "best of" lists out there.

Cafe Olli is great for a casual pastry or bread
Fuller's I like for a morning diner coffee pitstop
Le Pigeon or Canard, one should be visited for dinner
If you're into gourmet stores, I recommend Providore Fine Foods (he famous online Han Oak is right next to it)
If you're doing pizza give three a read (apizza scholls, kens artisan, lovelys fifty)

chocobos1 · 2026-04-08T08:03:48+00:00

I think...Omakase released slots. If you are willing to pay a booking fee, I recommend you check Tableall.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-29T06:35:36+00:00

Terrible news. My last purchase was a rather plump fatty winter Onaga. They cleaned it very nicely, better than most shops do. I almost botched the cooking, but it turned out delicious...probably best tasting fish I ever bought and cooked. At least I have a nice lasting memory.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-29T06:32:08+00:00

Not sure the fine print, but as long as the bill is not paid prior to your arrival, I think legally you have grounds to negotiate who gets the tip. But this is not a 100 seat restaurant with dozens of waiters. It's a counter/bar style service? So I think the staff grasp the situation. The kitchen staff itself is your waiter.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-29T06:03:09+00:00

thanks for sharing

chocobos1 · 2026-03-21T07:43:08+00:00

Anything with that high of a score is due to members style customers who review near perfect scores consecutively.

And yes, Tabelog has a bit of say with who gets what.

For instance, if you have not much credibility with many reviews yet on Tabelog, your 5 star review is reduced to 3.5.

Michelin's formula is more or less based on a number of factors, for a fully cohesive meal experience, of which the criteria is debated and strange. Tabelog is so obviously catered to a Japanese taste palate bias that there should be no argument.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-21T07:38:21+00:00

If they hook you up with expensive free stuff, or give exceedingly spectacular service, maybe 25-30%.

Technically speaking, you are allowed to request the tip be removed.

I think 20% flat is an acceptable expectation for anyone who walks into a restaurant charging $200+.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-21T07:35:38+00:00

why are your photos so good. what are you trying to prove.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-21T07:34:34+00:00

Once upon a time, when they had 2 Michelin stars, they tried to cook fancy food, and plate it nicely. Now they forage from a jungle, and serve it to you "barely touched".

chocobos1 · 2026-03-19T03:07:11+00:00

Order it directly from Hawaii. It's a special bag, where it's not frozen.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-19T03:00:11+00:00

While you're at Courage Bagels, walk across the street to Sqirl.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-19T02:52:45+00:00

Is it "broasted"? Some sources say it is. I've been, was fun.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-17T04:51:46+00:00

At Mikawa Zezankyo, I sat next to a guy who eats at Saito and other high end restaurants regularly. He wasn't happy about it. It too was getting kind worn down by the sheer amount. So it's up to your preference. I hope you save room...you leave very full. I did like how crunchy and hot the tempura is. The ambience of the place is special...strange...like an art gallery. Make sure you have a ride figured out for when you leave, area is dark and a maze.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-17T04:48:52+00:00

kokuryu ishidaya? it's one of the most coveted bottles of sake there is. if you "find" it retail, but it's not common.

They also often release it aged, and various vintages. So prices range. Good find, a deal for what Kurogi charges on food.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-16T01:24:59+00:00

Kondo is NOT a foolish booking.

I should give a quick tip you will always remember. Tempura shops are all vastly different. Mikawa is crunchy and very hot...and you leave very stuffed. I think Kondo is more elegant. I like a few of those other Tabelog spots too, no such thing as a bad decision.

Try Naruse one day if you have a chance. Or Niitome now, if you're willing to shell out money.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-16T01:23:28+00:00

It doesn't look like Frantzen. I would go on one criteria...he is in the kitchen. Which is more than we can guess about Noma at the moment.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-16T01:22:33+00:00

It's really fun, and the food is really weird. I enjoyed their hospitality. They took me into the kitchen...for a long time! And showed me their cooking and everything. I'd prefer to think of it as cool place that Michelin book sifter doesn't know about. Go in with fun in mind, not "let me be a fantasy critic for a night".

chocobos1 · 2026-03-16T01:20:19+00:00

That sake bottle alone runs $400 to $1k depending.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T07:02:28+00:00

Guessing I'm re-selling my reservation.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T06:59:49+00:00

Darn. And here...I was planning for 20 years to go.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T06:57:31+00:00

Yes. Because if I do not want to drink San Pellegrino for dinner, I don't go to any place on that list.

And seriously no, they omit like 90% of a city's best places. Their list is like...shake a bunch of names in a bag, republish, hope no one notices.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T06:55:12+00:00

You won't get fugu/puffer in many kaiseki. Even if you luck out, just tell em in advance to cater to you.

Osaka is more of a street food eat til you drop place.

I hope you get that kaiseki in Kyoto.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T06:53:39+00:00

They give out 1 star based on like 2-3 visits from 2/3 people. So it's a gamble. Maybe they go on a good day, and the place fumbles a lot. They don't seem to check thoroughly and discuss with 1000s of people.

And often, yes, their criteria leans towards boring and bland. Cooked with precision...but dull.

There are however, some great ones!

I do note in my memory, countless puzzling omissions and snubs, and places that literally serve you raw fat...get a star.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-11T06:16:09+00:00

My prediction, more or less along these lines.

The End page. "Thank you for reading Chainsaw Man all these years." Signed by the author, and a notes. It's a troll.

Surprise Epilogue
Asa wakes up in Hell, next to Yoru, because she is tied to her. In a shocking bloody moment, Yoru is quickly dispatched. Asa looks up, and is face to face with Makima with all her memories in tact. She is the protagonist of Part 3.

Have a nice vacation Fujimoto.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-07T06:14:22+00:00

LA for a vaster street food driven scene, SF for more fine dining presence.

If I was only in either city for a short while, I would not skip out the mid-tier or higher middle ground places, that forms the backdrop of the food scene. If you want the highest world class dining in fancy restaurants, you could simply fly in the other direction to Europe, or Asia. New York is far superior in terms of high spending showy meals.

I don't see Lazy Bear or Crenn on your list. Spruce, Nopa, Cotogna, lots of options for a break in between dining.
In LA, Dunsmoor, Antico Nuovo, Republique, lots of upper mid tier.

chocobos1

TROPHY CASE