Sake and foodstuffs from Shimane-ken, in the far north-west corner of Honshu. There's also a small restaurant next door that specializes in Shimane regional delicacies (open 11am-10pm). [feedback]

Nihonbashi Muromachi 1-5-3. (across the street from Mitsukoshi dept. store) Open 10:30am-7pm daily.

Sumptuous is the word for the Mandarin Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Nihonbashi. The interior by Ryu Kosaka, with richly tactile accents by textile designer Reiko Sudo, is chic and inviting, dominated by seductive earth tones. A live jazz band performs nightly for the relaxed and casual crowd, a mix of locals and visitors. No cover charge. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Nihonbashi Muromachi 2-1-1, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo 37F. Open 11:30am-midnight daily.

Here inside the Mandarin Hotel's 38th-floor Oriental Lounge, the seven-seat "Tapas Molecular Bar" serves cutting-edge modern cuisine. 21 plates of highly inventive, deconstructivist bite-size morsels are presented over the course of two hours (Y12,000+10%sc). Seatings are at 6 and 8:30pm, and reservations are required. [feedback]

Nihonbashi Muromachi 2-1-1, Mandarin Oriental Tokyo 38F. Open 6, 8:30pm daily.

The gourmet tonkatsu here is made from three varieties of heirloom pork from a small farm in Yamagata. Katsu sets are priced Y1400-2500, and full-course pork shabu-shabu dinners are Y4500-7500. Lunch starts at Y1000. [feedback]

Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Coredo Nihonbashi 4F. Open 11am-2:30, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

"Modern Provence Dining" is what it says at the entrance, and indeed the cooking is modern, light and authentically Provencal, with everything from bouillabaisse to cous cous. In the afternoons it's a cafe - a good place to stop for a leisurely cappucino and tart tatin. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Coredo Nihonbashi 4F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

This stylishly decorated upscale Chinese restaurant specializes in seafood and duck dishes (including Peking Duck). [feedback]

Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Coredo Nihonbashi 4F. Open 11am-2, 6-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Traditional and authentic Korean cuisine, ranging from simple "home-style" cooking to more elaborate banquet fare. Full-course dinners are priced Y3000-8000. [feedback]

Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Coredo Nihonbashi 4F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Excellent breads and pastries are available to take out, or you can stop for a pastry and an espresso in the lobby seating area. There's also a nice lunch menu, priced at Y1200 and Y1600. [feedback]

Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Coredo Nihonbashi B1F. Open 7am-10pm daily.

From the ubiquitous Soup Stock chain comes this Japanese-curry specialty shop; besides curries they serve things like "hayashi rice", gumbos, ragouts, stews and anything else that can be termed a "roux", along with various rice options. (The "Tokyo curry" is our favorite.) Drinks include lassi and iced chai. [feedback]

Nihonbashi 1-4-1, Coredo Nihonbashi B1F. Open 7am-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Serious Catalan cuisine in this fancy Tokyo branch of Chef Carme Ruscalleda's famous Barcelona restaurant. The tasting menu is Y21,000, and main dishes run around Y7000 each. (The lunchtime "quick menu" is Y8000.) There's a more informal wine bar downstairs, with some 350 varieties of mostly Spanish wines and a light tapas menu. (Wine bar open to 1am; on Sundays only the wine bar is open.) [feedback]

Nihonbashi 1-6-1, Coredo Nihonbashi Annex 1/2F. Open noon-1:30, 6-9pm (LO) daily.

The theme at Colors is "curry factory," and they produce colorful novelty recipes like a "shocking pink" curry made with red turnips. They also serve fruit and herb teas in their cafeteria-style space. Most curries are under Y1000. (Limited hours on weekends.) [feedback]

Yaesu 1-3-7, Yaesu First Financial Bldg B1F. Open 11am-10pm daily.

Bacchus offers a good selection of Japanese craft beers, with rotating guest beers and one hand pump for real ales. They also stock around 25 bottled beers, again mostly Japanese. The small space can get smoky at times. [feedback]

Yaesu 1-7-7, Dai-ni Yamamoto Bldg B1F. Open 5pm-midnight (-3am Fridays). Closed Sundays.

The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff are friendly at this small, well-hidden drinking spot. They specialize in shochu and appropriate snacks - Kyoto-style pickles, Korean chijimi pancakes and uni toast - and there's also a well-chosen selection of five premium sake brands. (No English.) [feedback]

Yaesu 1-4-3. Open 7-11:30pm (LO). Closed weekends.

Gourmet oden is the specialty here, but they also serve up yakitori, kushiage and sashimi, with full-course dinners from Y2800. Drinks include a decent assortment of sake, shochu and plum wines. [feedback]

Nihonbashi 2-2-3. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Deluxe sandwiches and desserts from famous French chef Joel Robuchon. [feedback]

Nihonbashi 2-4-1, Takashimaya 2F. Open 11am-7:30pm (LO) daily.

A tiny, charming Belgian beer bar with a small selection of brews, including the city of Antwerp's own De Koninck on tap. There's not really a food menu, but you can order pizza (from Pizza LA) or Chinese food (from a shop downstairs) to be delivered to your table. [feedback]

Nihonbashi 3-7-7, 5F. (on the side street one block south of Takashimaya) Open 5-11pm. Closed weekends.

A branch of the popular Au Gout du Jour restaurant in Kojimachi, "au gout du jour" could be their tagline as well, as they pride themselves on their beautiful fresh vegetables and other seasonal ingredients. The smallish dining space (24 seats) is simple but elegant, and service is attentive. Lunches from Y2800; prix-fixe dinners from Y6500; there's also an a la carte menu at night with half and full-size portions. Note that they're among the few serious restaurants in this neighborhood that are open on Sundays. [feedback]

Nihonbashi 3-8-13. (on the side street one block south of Takashimaya) Open 11am-1:30, 5:30-9pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

Hard-to-find German beers, German wines, and assorted snacks are on offer at this branch of the small Franziskaner chain. The meat-heavy food menu is more interesting and diverse than might be expected. [feedback]

Nihonbashi 3-8-16, Buyo Bldg B1F. (1 block S of Takashimaya) Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.

A liquor shop, a standing bar, and a casual sit-down grill, Bar Maru is many things to many people. Browse the shelves, and if you find something you like you can crack it open on the spot for a modest Y500 corkage fee. Pop into the tachinomiya next door for a quick drink, or head to the second floor for a more comfortable scene. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Hatchobori 3-22-10. Open 5-11pm. Closed weekends.

This funky little retro-themed snack bar serves tasty grilled Gunma-raised pork on skewers, beef tongue and motsu nikomi (organ-meat stews) along with beer and a selection of premium sake in one-cup sizes. You can stand around the oil-drum tables up front or sit at a handful of tables in back as you enjoy the old jazz and early Showa-era posters on the walls. Skewers are priced Y160-200. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kitchen Street (1F). Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Beef tongue cuisine is a specialty of Sendai, and this is the first Tokyo branch of a famous Sendai shop. The grilled tongue teishoku is a good place to start (Y1300), and local brands of premium sake are available to drink. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kitchen Street (1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.

Akashiyaki is like takoyaki, only lighter and fluffier, with bits of tender Akashi octopus in the center; here it's Y850 for a plate. They also make yakisoba, okonomiyaki, and a variety of inexpensive teppanyaki grilled foods. One of the nicer Kitchen Street interiors, with a big wooden counter and tables. Take-out is also available. English menu. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kitchen Street (1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.

Over 2000 types of shochu and awamori in this very well-stocked shop. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kitchen Street (1F). (In the north passageway of Tokyo Station (outside the wicket area) connecting the Yaesu and Marunouchi sides) Open 10am-9pm daily.

One of the more unusual specialty shops on Kitchen Street, this is a venture from a well-known Chinese shark's fin specialty restaurant. The Y2600 stewed shark's fin with soba is the recommendation of the house, but they have other finny combos with noodles or rice starting at Y1300, and a number of small-plate dishes after 4pm. Take-out is available. English menu. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kitchen Street (1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.

The food menu here is billed as "homemade deli" - grilled octopus, yakisoba, hot dogs, prosciutto - with most items priced at Y500. But you're really here for the beer - an impressive selection of Japanese microbrews by the bottle (Y800/Y900), a few microbrews on tap (Y500), and imported beers like Pilsner Urquell and Anchor Steam. There are a few stools but it's mostly stand-up, with small shelves on the side wall and an unusual zigzaggy central table. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kurobei Yokocho (B1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.

A beautifully decorated dining room, with separate hori-kotatsu and table seating areas. The menu is authentic home-style Korean, with lots of hearty stews for groups (starting at around Y3000), pajon pancakes (Y1480) and ishi-yaki bibimba (Y1580) - more than 100 different dishes altogether. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kurobei Yokocho (B1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.

They simmer two different styles of gourmet oden here - in miso broth and in dashi broth. Assorted platters of either type are Y1500, and full-course dinners featuring sashimi, tofu, broiled fish, appetizers and dessert are Y5000 per person. The dining area is rather plush, with a nice big counter and comfortable tables; take your shoes off at the door. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kurobei Yokocho (B1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.

This stylish space is decorated in a rustic island motif, with stone floors and walls and polished wooden latticework. The food is quite tasty and authentic, with plenty of daily specials supplementing the usual Okinawan standards like rafti (pork stew), goya champuru (stir-fry), Okinawan soba and taco fried rice. Lunch teishoku starts at Y980; budget around Y2000-3000 in the evening for ample food. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kurobei Yokocho (B1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.

A sign at the door proudly announces the pedigree of their free-range chicken (Iwate), their charcoal (Wakayama), and even the salt they use (Yamaguchi)! Lunch donburi sets start at Y980, with a limited-edition kiji-yaki special for Y1300. Evening skewers are priced at Y250 and up. The interior is pleasant, with a big counter area close to all the grilling action. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Kurobei Yokocho (B1F). Open 11am-11pm daily.

This small, hole-in-the-wall shop in Tokyo Station's underground shopping complex boasts a surprisingly large selection of hard-to-find premium sake - 80 kinds in all - including multiple varieties from popular breweries like Kubota and Denshu. There's good sashimi as well as dishes like crab and horsemeat shabu-shabu. Budget around Y3500 at dinnertime. [feedback]

Yaesu 2-1. (on "Orange Road" in the Yaesu underground shopping complex, near stairway 15) Open 11am-9:30pm (LO; 9pm weekends) daily.

An informal oyster bar serving raw and cooked oysters from Japan, New Zealand and the US, along with Cajun-style gumbo and seafood "pan roasts." Located in the underground shopping complex just E of Tokyo station. [See branch review] [feedback]

Yaesu 2-1, Yaesu Chikamichi Minami #1. Open 11am-11pm (10pm Sat, Sun). Open every day.

A branch of an Azabu-Juban wine bar, Pate-ya offers many wines by the glass, including three-glass tasting sets. You'll find cheeses and original pate variations to nibble on, plus more substantial bistro fare like grilled quail and duck confit at dinnertime (budget around Y3500). Pates are also ready for take-out. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-9-1, Gran Tokyo South Tower B1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO; 8pm weekends) daily.

Okinawan standards and awamori drinks in a cozy, island-rustic interior. A seven-piece Okinawan oden platter is Y850; budget Y3500 for dinner. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-11-1, PCP Marunouchi B1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

Good, modern Korean cuisine. Specialties include grilled premium-grade pork and chicken, samgetang (chicken-ginseng soup), and various spicy stews. Budget around Y2500 for dinner. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-11-1, PCP Marunouchi B1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO; 9pm weekends) daily.

Up-to-date izakaya fare, with prix-fixe dinners from Y3000 and a decent sake list. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-11-1, PCP Marunouchi B1F. Open 11am-11pm (lunch -2pm) daily.

A reasonably priced menu of Thai standards served in a pleasant dining space. Lunch sets (until 3pm) from Y650 and prix-fixe dinners from Y2880. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-11-1, PCP Marunouchi B1F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO; 1hr earlier Sat/Sun) daily.

This pork specialist offers set menus of shabu-shabu, Korean-style grilled pork and pork stews from around Y2000, plus charcoal-grilled pork skewers from Y300. [feedback]

Marunouchi 1-11-1, PCP Marunouchi B1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.

One of Japan's more famous yoshoku establishments, the decor here is 1960s-modern, with wood paneling and a big dessert cart. The beef curry is Y1890, and beef fried-rice omelettes are Y2625. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Kyobashi 2-3-4. Open 11:30am-2, 5:30-9pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Authentic, very enjoyable Indian cuisine, with an emphasis on the cooking of southern India. The dosas are light and fluffy, the curries are hearty, and every dish has its own distinctive flavor and character. The decor is simple and tasteful, a nice change from the typical Tokyo curry shop. [feedback]

Yaesu 2-7-9. (from Kyobashi sta. exit 5 walk 3 minutes towards Tokyo station, then turn right) Open 11:15am-2:30, 5-10pm. Closed Sundays.

This tiny standup bar always has a number of good Japanese microbrews and international beers on tap. Food is limited to snacks. [feedback]

Yaesu 2-8-10. Open 5:30-11pm. Closed weekends.

Like Italy, its much larger neighbor across the Adriatic, Croatia has a long coastline and a seafood-heavy Mediterranean cuisine built around grilled fish, scampi, mussels and calamari as well as goat cheese, dried ham and olives. At the same time, northeastern Croatia borders Hungary and is close to Austria, so Eastern European culinary influences are also strong. Dobro, a well-hidden Nihonbashi spot, does an excellent job introducing this underlooked cuisine to Tokyo diners. [feedback]

Kyobashi 2-6-14. Open 11:30am-2, 6-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays.