slice of life

Recently blog friend Rick (who no longer blogs) and his family were in Tokyo

One place they ate at was a food truck called Slice of Life in Harajuku, which does Texas BBQ

Since I wanted to try, I went after my physical therapy and was there about 45 minutes before they opened at 11:30

The owner was super quiet to the point of where I thought he was rude, no “hello”, or “irasshaimase” even after I said “konnichiwa”

His wife on the other hand at least said “irasshaimase” 

When they finally opened, I ordered the A5 wagyu brisket…2700 yen (tax included)

This comes with rice, and sides

On this day, the sides were shredded cabbage and what seemed like chili

Since I planned to eat this for dinner, I asked for no rice and they took 100 yen off my bill.

The brisket was super tender! but I thought the portions of the meat and sides were really skimpy

I also took a little of their coffee sauce and bbq sauce to try but the meat didn’t need sauce and the sauces overall seemed to be bland

The foreign guy behind me ordered the plate with 3 different items (pulled pork, brisket and burnt ends, I think) he paid 7800 yen (tax included)!

I hope they gave him more food

Meh, not worth the hype

18770

Since Satoshi wanted to check out Kinchakuda, we went on Saturday.

Unfortunately it was drizzling.

The flowers that V, K and I saw a little over a week before were starting to dry up.

A lot of the flowers were also turning from bright red to a light pink.

The area that V, K and I saw a little over a week before that was sparse, had bloomed and was a bright red.

The grounds were so wet and smooshy.

We grabbed a (relatively dry) bench and shared a yakisoba and takoyaki from a vendor...1100 yen (tax included)

Glad Satoshi got to check this area out.

Afterwards we went to Shinjuku and Harajuku, so he could see the photos of Otani Shohei.

Because it was the weekend, it was super crowded in these areas, so it was hard to view the photos without getting in the way of bypassers.

Before jumping back on the train, we went to Bubo, a chocolatier from Barcelona.

I had seen something on social media where their soft serve was discounted on Saturdays.

Unfortunately when we got there, the sign said that they had sold out.

I had not seen the sold out sign and asked about the soft serve, the staff working said that they had sold out.

Then, as we were about to leave, she came up to us and whispered, actually if you only want to buy one, we have enough for you.

So we bought one...Xabina (shah-bee-nah) is their dark chocolate soft serve flavored with spices like clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper, decorated with a little fruity olive oil and caramelized cacao nibs...500 yen (tax included) (price is actually 800 yen (tax included)

As we were going to take our cone outside to share, another staff member came up and said they could probably make one more if we wanted, we thanked them but told them to give it to whomever came in looking for their soft serve after us.

It was rich and delicious, one was definitely enough!

It was drizzly all day, but we got to do and see all that we wanted.

Bubo

5-6-5 Jingumae

Shibuya, Tokyo

Closed: Tuesdays

Hours: 12:00-20:00 (weekdays), 11:00-20:00 (weekends)

19380

Yesterday, Satoshi wanted to check out Aoyama, Omotesando and other areas for a tour he has coming up.

So we got out early so that we could have breakfast at Crisscross.

I've had this place bookmarked since I saw it back in 2018 when we were walking around after lunch.

Tokyo People: there was a lady with her dog standing in front of the ropes at the entrance, another woman standing in the shade and this guy (photo above)

I asked him if he was standing in line.

He had airpods in his ears, so he answered me super loudly..."huh"

Took one airpod out of his ear and I asked him again.

He answered me in Japanese, "what else would I be standing here for?!"

What a snark!

As we were waiting for them to open, 7 "haoles" came one by one to stand in line with snarky man (at this point there were at least 10 people standing behind me)

Snarky was there to get them a table...

At least there were enough tables for everyone behind us to be seated.

How cute was this bicycle parked in front of the restaurant.

Order by QR code...Satoshi and I both ordered the classic breakfast (toast, salad, bacon and eggs)...1950 yen (tax included)

This also came with soup...with the humidity, luckily it was visshyssoise (cold potato soup)

It was a nice place for breakfast despite the snarky one (we want to check out their lunch menu next)

After breakfast, we went to check out the areas that Satoshi wanted to see.

While he was doing that, I took photos of interesting buildings in the Aoyama Omotesando area.

Le:labo (fragrance)

Prada

Loewe

Near Harajuku, Satoshi went to check out more area and I went to the United Nations University to check out the Farmers Market

Roadster in front of United Nations University

There weren't too many vendors on this day, and it was so hot that I decided to check out other areas of Shibuya instead.

I walked around Miyashita Park while I was waiting for Satoshi to finish

This tunnel that runs under the Yamanote line is painted with vibrant blues...pretty

And then I stumbled on the free interactive Hello Kitty pop up at Tsutaya

So I checked it out....2 minute video here 

Satoshi met me in front of the Hello Kitty pop up and then we went back to Miyashita Park for lunch.

They have a food court, I chose the crunch wrap supreme from Taco Bell

Satoshi chose a poke bowl from Maguro market

It was just nice to sit in air conditioning...

After lunch, I went to buy groceries and headed home.

Satoshi went back out to check out more areas.

It was blazing, super humid but we got to do a lot.

Crisscross

5-7-28 Minamiaoyama

Minato, Tokyo

Open daily: 8:00-21:00

brod

Been wanting to check out Brod, a Danish Norwegian bakery in Ebisu.

It is super close to the Metro Ebisu station.

All their baked items are sourdough related.

I purchased a half loaf of the Odin it had seeds all over it, love!

I also purchased some of their crackers, a chocolate chip cookie and their carrot cake. 

Loved all the seeds in the crackers, and all the chocolate in the cookie

Not too sure if the carrot cake had sourdough in it but I loved how moist it was.

I'll be back.

Brod

5-4-20 Hiroo

Shibuya, Tokyo

Closed Mondays & Tuesdays

Hours: 10:00-17:00

tokyo toilet part 3

From Ebisu, we took the Hibiya line to Hiroo

This one is located in Hiroo East Park and designed by Tomohito Ushiro

Loved the huge rhododendron trees at the edge of University of Sacred Heart property, which is next to the park

Back at Ebisu station, at the West exit is this one designed by Kashiwa Sato

Ebisu East Park designed by Fumihiko Maki

Loved that there was a cherry tree right above, all the petals fluttering was nice

tako (octopus) slide at the park

always see this building from the train, was cool to see it up close

Higashi 3-chome by Nao Tamura.

This one seemed really compact.

And lastly Ebisu Park designed by Masamichi Katayama

we also visited Ebisu Shrine

It was nice to see different parts of Shibuya ward, it was also nice to learn that Shibuya has quiet areas and is not just sensory overload.

We’re not sure when we’ll be able to go see the movie, have you seen it?!

Anyway, if you visit Tokyo, and happen to find yourself in Shibuya, I hope you'll check out one or more of these public toilets.

We enjoyed this adventure and I hope you did as well.

tokyo toilet part 2

Yoyogi Hachiman, by Toyo Ito looked like mushrooms

we then went up to visit Yoyogi Hachiman Shrine
 

Down the hill is Haru no Ogawa Park, by Shigeru Ban

The walls are supposed to be transparent and then when you are going to use them the walls turn opaque, but according the the memo on the toilet, the cold weather slows the walls from turning the walls opaque, so for “winter” they had the walls turned opaque even if no one was using the toilet.

love the colors! and that there were many cafes around this park

Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park, also by Shigeru Ban

Love the colors here as well.

The walls here were opaque as well

Nabeshima Shoto Park, designed by Kengo Kuma.

Tokyo People: nice day to gaze at the pond

The insides had nice wooden decor

And then we walked through the "heart" of Shibuya

 way too many people

Jingu Dori Park by Tadao Ando

We were kind of starving, so we ducked into this pasta place, Pan Con Tomate for lunch...

I had their cold salad pasta, bummer they noted tuna on the menu but there was none to be found in this AND it was dressed way too much with dressing...1750 yen (tax included)

would try something else if I come back here

I hadn't been to Harajuku since before the pandemic, so I was surprised to see this monster building...Harakado, which opens this week.

Togo Shrine's azaleas were beautiful

Jingumae by Nigo, looked like a house

Painted rocks at an art gallery

so many tall buildings

Urasando designed by Marc Newson

From here we caught the JR Yamanote from Yoyogi to Ebisu.

Our feet were pretty tired at this point...but only 5 more to see!

Pan Con Tomate

6-17-15 Jingumae, B1

Shibuya, Tokyo

Open daily: 11:00-15:30 (lunch), 17:30-21:30 (dinner)