Hyperlocal Tokyo

A wine bar in Ningyocho, housed in a former tailor shop, run by a single female owner. I heard it's always fully booked, so I visited on a Sunday afternoon by myself. I was told that all the tables were reserved after 5 pm. I had just eaten bread at a cafe, so I decided to have a quick drink, ordering two glasses of sparkling wine, a salad, pate, and bread. There were no other customers. The wine and sparkling wine are recommended by the owner, who explains them to you. I tried both of the recommended sparkling wines, and they were delicious. Since I was alone, I couldn't order much food, but I think you could order a variety of dishes if you came with two people. Since it's a one-person operation, it might be difficult to get your order taken when it's busy, so it was good that I came at this time! I recommend coming early on Sunday! The owner is quick and lively, and she speaks quite fast when explaining the wines, so sometimes I couldn't understand what she was saying (laughs). She considered that I was alone and adjusted the amount of salad for me. It's a good idea to read the menu written on the blackboard on the wall. The atmosphere is comfortable, and I want to come back here on a Sunday afternoon. *Recommended for a second stop.*

A cozy little restaurant located just a few minutes' walk from the Ningyocho intersection. It's unusual for it to be closed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, so it's best to make a reservation, but there are times when you can drop in on the spur of the moment. I made a reservation for Sunday night and went there. The restaurant has a counter on the first floor and tables on the second floor, creating a homey atmosphere that makes it easy for solo diners to feel comfortable. By the way, the exterior has a mysterious shoe shop sign. A woman runs the place by herself. Since I went after dinner, I only had a glass of wine, a ham and kiwi ricotta salad, onion gratin soup, and pumpkin cheesecake. I looked at the other menu items, but they were mainly small plates meant for wine pairings, so it might not be suitable for those looking for a full meal as their first stop. The food itself was easy to eat and not too strong in flavor. Personally, I found it a bit forgettable. I would have preferred the cheesecake to be a bit richer. But the cream cheese and the tarte tatin (not available this time of year) looked delicious, so I'd like to come back again for a cafe experience.

I was looking for a "bistro with solid, delicious food" and this was the perfect answer! It's stylish but also has a warm, homey atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable. We went there first, but it might be a good choice for a second stop. I made a reservation for a weekday. ◎ Chicken and Egg Honey Mustard ¥900 ◎ Homemade Ham and Kiwi Ricotta Salad ¥1100 ◎ Meat Sauce and Mashed Potato Oven Bake ¥950 ◎ Crème Danjou with Apricot Sauce ¥800 ◎ Baked Tartine with Mashed Potato Puree, Comte Cheese, and Prosciutto ¥680 (one piece) x 2 The portions aren't huge, so it's nice to be able to order a variety of dishes. Honestly, everything was delicious, but I'll just review the things I found particularly tasty this time. The Homemade Ham and Kiwi Ricotta Salad... I'd want to order one for myself. The fresh ricotta cheese and the sweet and sour kiwi are a perfect combination. The ham is so juicy and flavorful... It was an endless salad. You absolutely have to order the Tartine. The mashed potato puree is so smooth, and the prosciutto melts in your mouth with its perfect saltiness. It's a big piece, but you could easily eat two per person. The Crème Danjou is a must-order. The fruit changes, but I was lucky to get it during apricot season, which is my favorite. It's so rich and melts in your mouth. I love the smooth texture. The fresh tartness of the apricot lingers and is so delicious. I'm not usually comfortable in places like this because I feel like I have to sit up straight, but the staff was so warm and welcoming, like a mother. It was a really comfortable atmosphere. The owner was running the whole place by herself, but she was so efficient, it was amazing. It's probably a good idea to make a reservation.

This charming wine bar is overflowing with the owner's sense of style, from its exterior to its interior, its menu, and even its wine selection. I often passed by the shop on my way to Ningyocho Station, always drawn to its retro shoe store sign and its consistently full tables. This time, my dream came true, and I was finally able to visit. I enjoyed three glasses of wine: sparkling, white, and orange (there's no list, you just ask). For food, I had to try the tartine and gratin, along with a few other dishes, and for dessert, I couldn't resist the tarte tatin and crème brûlée. I ate way too much! Everything was delicious and beautifully presented, and all of it paired perfectly with the wine. Personally, I loved the petit choux with prosciutto paste and the braised beef tripe with lemon. The owner runs the entire two-story restaurant by themselves, but they were incredibly attentive, bringing us serving plates before the food arrived and explaining everything in detail. It's no wonder this place is always booked. I can't wait to go back!

I noticed this place on my day off during the first holiday of the Reiwa era and stopped by around 3:00 PM. My ID is 304, which felt a bit familiar. I had a glass of white wine, and the ratatouille and Comté cheese were both truly delicious. It was a lovely place. The relaxed atmosphere of the Ningyocho area during the holiday weekend perfectly matched our mood. Thank you for a wonderful time.