In Fukuoka "yakitori" means more than just chicken, and popular items here at the city's most famous yakitoriya include everything from beef skirt steak to pig's feet. Hachibei's grilled butabara (pork belly) is especially good, with just the right amount of fat to yield maximum flavor during grilling, In fact they're so proud of this dish that the restaurant's staff wear t-shirts.... [Continue reading]

Classic hearty Uzbeki dishes are the draw at this hidden jewel in Nihonbashi. Along with a few Turkish and Russian staples, and even some Georgian wine! You walk through a dark corridor in an office building on a back street and come out into an exotic Central Asian room, a crimson box decorated with tapestries and images of the architectural wonders of Samarkand. On any given day, the.... [Continue reading]

One look at the dozens of colorful jars lining the counter at Spice Curry Maruse will convince you that they take the "spice" part of their name seriously. Occupying the ground floor of a quaint old wooden house, the shop is a relaxed, laid-back setting in which to enjoy their superb original curries. At lunchtime you can order a plate with one, two or three different curries, which come with rice and a small helping of dal for contrast.... [Continue reading]

If you're tired of flabby, unexciting bacon on your burgers, Lil Woody's will put you back on the right track. The cult-favorite Seattle-based shop serves an awe-inspiring lineup of grass-fed beef burgers, and the crispy, dry-aged bacon they use is honestly some of the best we've had in Tokyo. Other toppings variously include Tillamook cheddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese, raw onions,.... [Continue reading]

With its tablet-menu ordering system and counter seating, this lively French brasserie is a cheerfully casual spot to drop in for a glass of wine or a full meal - a refreshing contrast to stuffy formal French restaurants. They serve a good range of bistro fare - well prepared and budget-friendly - along with a wide selection of wines from around the world. The extensive food menu starts with promising appetizers like "sour cream, pancetta and onion tarte flambe"... [Continue reading]

A popular stop on coffee-connoisseur tours of Nagoya, QOL ("Quality of Life") is a combination coffee roastery and art gallery with a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. There are usually a few different exhibits showing in the spacious upstairs cafe area, while an impressive stereo system plays low-volume R&B and hiphop. You can choose from a variety of beans for drip coffee, or hot and.... [Continue reading]