Hyperlocal Tokyo

I visited this restaurant for the first time at the invitation of a vegan friend. It was a weekday dinner, and the course cost 7200 yen. It included a salad, soup, a platter of 9 different vegetables (吉祥箱), vegetable sushi, a daily changing dessert plate, and a drink. Each dish was meticulously prepared. The salad was very fresh and delicious, and the soup had a satisfying richness that you wouldn't expect from a vegan dish. The 9-vegetable platter was a delight with its colorful array of textures, including soy meat karaage and carrot rapes. The sushi was made with kanten (agar-agar) to mimic the texture of ikura (salmon roe), and the paprika had a texture similar to tuna (it was very smooth). The entire course was full of creative touches. The dessert portion was quite generous. I'm not a big fan of sweets, so I couldn't finish it all, but the chocolate brownie was particularly delicious. The restaurant is located on Showa Street in Higashi-Ginza, so the narrow space is understandable. The staff was efficient and provided pleasant service. The timing of the food delivery was also good. There was a menu, so I could understand the contents, but it would have been even better if the staff had explained the dishes. While the atmosphere of the restaurant wasn't bad, I was disappointed that I couldn't fully relax and enjoy my meal.

This is a gluten-free restaurant. The entrance is narrow, but there are seats on the second and third floors. We ordered one bento box and one pancake set to share. It turned out to be a great choice, as we enjoyed a variety of dishes, including egg-free Spanish omelet, green curry, and soy meat karaage. The curry and soy meat karaage were especially delicious, and I would definitely go back for them. And most importantly, the pancakes were incredibly delicious, considering they were gluten-free and vegan! I would definitely go back for those pancakes. Looking around, I noticed that most customers were eating pancakes. It seems they are quite popular. The food was delicious, but the female staff member was a bit lacking. I had mentioned that we wanted to share all the dishes, but they didn't bring us any plates or spoons. Also, after we finished our meal, we asked for the dessert menu, but they brought us the bill instead, saying "Please pay on the first floor." I had to ask again, "No, we want to order dessert and drinks, so please bring us the menu." 😅 We ordered cheesecake, crème brûlée, and hot tea. The tea came in a glass, not a pot. The crème brûlée was delicious, but the cheesecake was a bit underwhelming. It's probably difficult to make a delicious cheesecake without dairy. On our way out, we bought raisin butter sandwiches and chai tea sandwiches as souvenirs. I'm looking forward to trying them.

My friend is a pescatarian, so this restaurant was ideal. I ordered the Hayashi curry, and she ordered the pancake and salad set. The food arrived fairly quickly while we enjoyed the cozy and lovely restaurant interior. It's a small restaurant on the second or third floor, so reservations are essential for lunch. Also, unlike other cafes and restaurants with a 120-minute time limit, they have a 90-minute limit, which makes you feel rushed. This restaurant accepts all payment methods, which is a big plus in Tokyo. The staff also speaks English, making it an ideal place for many to dine. One awkwardness about this restaurant was that the staff responded to me in English even though I ordered and spoke in Japanese. I live here and have probably only experienced this a couple of times, but I'm pointing it out in case anyone visiting this restaurant encounters the same situation. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone with dietary restrictions.

**Table reservations are highly recommended in advance.** I made a reservation for 12 pm on Sunday. The restaurant is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors, with the shop on the 1st floor. You can only access the 2nd floor via stairs, and there's an elevator to the 3rd floor from the 2nd floor. I had the heavenly pancakes. The appetizer salad was generous, with a variety of vegetables, making it very satisfying. The pancakes seemed small at first, but with the fruits, accompanying ice cream, syrup, and jam, I was quite full by the time I finished one. The variety of fruits and syrups kept the flavors interesting, making it a very fulfilling experience. The tables ordering the Hayashi rice also looked delicious. As it's a vegan restaurant, the prices are slightly higher, but it's definitely worth it for the healthy and wholesome food.

I had been intrigued by the sign for 'Vegan Tiramisu' on my way to Shiodome Station for a while now. I finally bought some. The attempt to forcefully replicate the taste and richness of dairy products resulted in a greasy texture that was incredibly unpleasant. If you have no religious or health concerns, you might not need to force yourself to eat it. This is just my personal opinion.