EAT > Ryan, Tokyo

Did someone say Soba? Ryan is not quite your standard Tokyo noodle stop. It is a stylish room with tables as well as bar seating, seating is comfortable and you can easily settle in for something of a session here. And let us be clear this is not a ¥900 noodle…

ByJames CampbellJanuary 23, 20240Comments

EAT EAT > TOKYO

EAT > Sushi M, Tokyo

It was back in January 2023 and we were returning from Japan and we bumped into the incredibly talented Nicky Reimer chef of Bellota Restaurant on our flight home, sharing stories of food and travel, I asked her what was the best food experience you had in Japan she did not hesitate and said immediately…

ByAl ManakJanuary 19, 20240Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > Cabernet Sauvignon DRINK > WINE > Merlot

DRINK > Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

I am not going to pretend to be any kind of expert on the wine of Bordeaux and there are many vastly more experience wine writers who have reviewed this wine in the past and given their reviews. But in December of 2023 at a wonderful degustation/omakase dinner at the quite incredible 'Sushi-M' this was…

ByAl ManakJanuary 19, 20240Comments

DRINK > WINE DRINK > WINE > GSM

DRINK > Charles Melton – Nine Popes 2018 (and 2013)

The wines made by Charles (or Charlie) Melton and his team in the Barossa Valley are special. I clearly recall a visit to the winery with an American friend and colleague (I was introducing him to the wines for the first time) on tasting the Nine Popes he just stopped for a moment, sighed and…

ByCrispyJanuary 18, 20240Comments

DESIGN

BAR > Jazz Spot Bokunen, Kanazawa

There is every chance you have never heard of Kanazawa as it is not the first stop for tourists visiting Japan but that just means that you are missing out. Jazz Spot Bokunen has been spinning records and pouring whiskey since 1992 and let me tell you it is worth considering a visit. …

ByCrispyJanuary 17, 20240Comments

STAY > TOKYO TRAVEL TRAVEL > JAPAN

STAY > Hoshinoya Tokyo

The Hoshinoya Hotel is in the heart of Tokyo's economic centre Maranouchi. A short walk from the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station it sits amongst the office towers, from the outside you can see the metal skin screening the facade (a design akin to interlinked lotus flowers). The hotel was designed by architect Rie Azuma…

ByCrispyJanuary 17, 20240Comments

EAT EAT > TOKYO

EAT > Julia, Shibuya Tokyo (19/20)

I love wandering the fashionable streets of Omotesando in Shibuya, there are brilliant fashion stores, smart designer furniture and iconic one of a kind homewares. Some streets seem to have nothing but hair dressers and others feature brilliant coffee shops. But venture just a little further into the more residential area of Jingumae (only a…

ByCrispyJanuary 16, 20240Comments

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