Starting from a single shop in Tokyo's Harajuku neighborhood in 1995, Aux Bacchanales has grown to become a Japan-wide chain of casual French bistros, serving budget-friendly French cafe fare plus fancy desserts suitable for an afternoon tea break.

The daily dinner menu is fairly compact, with mains like pan-fried sea bream, roast chicken and lamb cous cous, and starters like escargots and chicken confit. At lunchtime there's usually a choice of one meat and one fish dish, along with a handful of appetizers.

Wines start at under Y5,000 per bottle, with smaller carafes and wine by the glass also available. Budget around Y2,000-3,000 for a hearty lunch and Y2,500-5,000 for dinner with drinks.