tiki's and north shore cafe

We went to check out Tiki's for lunch on Saturday

They are located on the ground floor of the newly opened Yoyogi Park Be Stage building.

Even if Yoyogi is in its name, it is in between JR Shibuya & JR Harajuku

The top floor looks like it will be a terrace (it wasn’t open), the third floor looks like it is being used by different schools, the second floor has a couple of shops

The restaurant is on the first floor and looks out onto a little park where you can sit and have a coffee or just hang out. 

I ordered the club sandwich 2500 yen (tax included) and an oolong tea 300 yen (tax included)

The sandwich was delicious but the sides seemed a bit skimpy and not crispy at all.

Satoshi had their loco moco...2600 yen (tax included) with coffee 300 yen (tax included)

Of course Satoshi said that while it tasted good it wasn't a "loco moco" because the gravy was different and the rice they used was long grain (probably because Japan is having problems securing rice these days)

He also commented that the plate it was served on wasn’t “fancy” it looked like the type of plate you receive at a yoshoku (Japanese western style) restaurant 

They are dog friendly (as long you abide by their rules which they will go over before you enter)...the furry ones even have their own menu! and are served in Le Creuset ceramic dog bowls!

While we dined, I think there were more furry ones than people!

Next door is North Shore Cafe, you can order malasadas...(they also had cream filled (custard and chocolate), we chose plain and cinnamon)

They also sell ice cream and coffee too

We took out our malasadas and coffee...1100 yen (tax included)

The texture was light and airy not oily at all.

All payments are cashless.

Tiki’s also has a cafe menu and dinner menu. 

The dinner menu is more extensive but also more pricey

We're glad we tried these places and wish them luck going forward.

Tiki's 

1-1-1 Jinnan

Shibuya, Tokyo

Hours: 11:00-22:00

North Shore Cafe

1-1-1 Jinnan

Shibuya, Tokyo

Hours: 11:00-21:00

*both are cashless

crane

Have had Crane on my "to try" list for some time now after they were on a Jdrama about burgers.

It is a tiny burger shop that seats about 20 people. 

When I got there, it was about 10 minutes before opening time and there was a large group of 8 high school students before me...

After I was seated, all the other seats filled up

I ordered the Luther Burger....1850 yen (plus tax) and an oolong tea 190 yen (plus tax)

apparently a Luther Burger uses a doughnut instead of a bun and is apparently named after singer Luther Vandross.

Anyway, the glaze on this burger was so krazy sticky!

I had the hardest time getting it into this paper wrapper and then to eat it...glaze everywhere!

But, this smash style burger was so ono! peppery, meaty and juicy

It is topped with super crispy bacon (a rarity), tomato, lettuce and cheese.

And even though I thought I wiped up all the glaze all over my face, aiyah! to all the people who didn't tell me I had doughnut glaze on my nose columella (had to look up what it was called) and tip of my nose...guess no one looks at people's faces anymore...

Anyway, they have this super cheesy burger that is viral that I wouldn't mind trying...I'll be back.

Crane

6-16-3 Sotokanda

Chiyoda, Tokyo

Open daily: 11:30-21:30

ueno pottery fair

Went to check out the pottery fair that was being held at Ueno Park
 

There were many shops selling different types of pottery.

I like that this shop used different food samples to show how the plates would look with "real food" on it.

From the food area, I bought a bag of Ureshino shincha (new tea)

The guy was super good at sales, so I spent a little more than I wanted to...1620 yen (tax included)

The last time we were in Ureshino was over 10 years ago.

They were also selling Ryukyu glass (Okinawan glass)

And I loved these plates with sceneries of cities.

It was nice to check this pottery fair out and I’m glad the weather wasn’t too hot.

this and that

saw this interesting plant in someone’s yard (mussaenda parviflora) called konronka in Japanese

Yesterday, the reno guys finished by 14:00! 

So Kat got to take a nap!

The thing that peeved me about the reno though is that without saying anything, they started moving stuff in our bathroom so that they could access the breaker

I wished they would tell us where to clean or move ahead of time so I can have it ready before they come

Like the area I thought they were gonna work on, I had all clean and  ready and they didn’t even touch that area…boo! 

I did “scare” the guy installing the door knob, he was in full concentration mode and then jumped & screamed (a little) when he realized I was watching what he was doing…oops!sorry!

After they finished working yesterday, I asked where they were gonna do work for our next appointment 

The guy pointed to the thing that I use for my closet…I had to open the door to let him see inside...so shame, my closet is a mess! 

gotta move some stuffs in my closet, but it should be fast because the next appointment is only half a day…

The other day, I heard a crow and I also heard something with a lower "voice"...it turned out to be baby crows!

Kinda hard to see but there is a nest on the electric pole! 

You might be able to see metal hangers...they warn us to keep hangers and such away from crows because they take things to make their nests...I even saw a crow scraping ground cover nets to use for its nest!

Yesterday, I called the electric company, hopefully they will be able to dismantle the nest soon.

Our temperatures are July or August high also with humidity, blah!...and are apparently gonna go down to April lows...talk about roller coaster!

Have a safe weekend.

aiyah

Today’s “the day” when I gotta stay at home from 9:00 until 17:00…so the reno dudes can do stuff to our door 

Satoshi has a tour today, so I figured I had to stay by myself without being able to go bathroom while the reno guys work

“Someone” tells me last minute, “I took half day and will be at home until lunchtime”

Why you neva tell me this earlier so I neva need to worry?…tanks eh?!

Hoping the reno dudes work fast and are finished earlier than 17:00..send good mojo

laminating

Last year, I checked out the interactive Hello Kitty event and received a fan.

Well, it's "that" time of year again and I am too cheap to buy one of those portable fans that I see everyone with

So instead I bought a laminating sheet from the 100 yen shop

(remembered to take a photo after I had already laminated the fan)

And laminated my fan so it would last the summer

The temperature has been roller coaster-y...really hot some days and weirdly super cool (cold) on others...

Have already turned on our dehumidifier several times already too...

I guess the weather dude was right when he said summer is gonna be long....sigh!

Hope it is cooler where you are!

researching

Sunday, Satoshi wanted to research some areas before his tour, so we went to Tsukiji.

I was surprised that there were quite a number of shops open and the amount of people was quite krazy!

From Tsukiji, we went to Ueno.

But first, we stopped into Mihashi. 

This shop has been in business since 1948 and is popular for their anmitsu. 

Every time we've tried to eat here there was a krazy line.

Luckily, the line wasn’t too long on this day

Love their stairs

It was so humid that I had their uji kintoki shaved ice instead.

Too bad the ice was a little too coarse, made it hard to eat.

Loved that there was a lot of azuki on the bottom...

Still, I'm glad I got to try this.

Satoshi had their hiyashi matcha cream, a matcha drink topped with soft serve...no photo

After Satoshi checked out the areas he needed to, we went in search of lunch...and went to Aun

The last time we were here was 7 years ago.

They now have a machine to buy your tickets, which means cash only!

This time I ordered their hiyashi kuro (black sesame) tan tan men...1200 yen (tax included), level 1

Satoshi had their kuro (black sesame) tan tan men (hot)  1200 yen (tax included), level 1

*I say it every time I eat something like this, but I need to carry my spoon with the holes...

I'm glad Aun survived the pandemic...we'll be back!

We walked to Akihabara to catch the train back home...I was shocked at the price for peonies...770 yen (tax included) for 1

Still so pretty though!

Hoping Satoshi’s tour goes well

Anmitsu Mihashi

4-9-7 Ueno

Taito, Tokyo

Open daily: 10:30-21:00

ginza kimuraya

The current morning J-drama that we are watching is based on the creator of "Anpanman", Yanase Takashi...the drama is called "Anpan"

A character in the drama used to work at a Tokyo bakery which was modeled after Ginza Kimuraya

Ginza Kimuraya apparently created the anpan and has been in business since 1869

If you are interested in Ginza Kimuraya's history, please look here.

It was my first time to visit Ginza Kimuraya so I wasn't too sure what line I was supposed to be in, I asked one of the people working there and he explained what was what.

When you first enter the shop, the different types of anpan are being sold…i think they had 8 different types.

I purchased their bread filled with kuromame (black beans) and their anpan from this area

Further into the shop is the showcase for their other types of breads...

I purchased their medium boiled egg curry pan

(delicious, but I wish there were just a little more curry in there...wonder how these places keep the egg oozy?!)

and their an butter...

(a "soft" french bread filled with sweet bean paste and whipped butter)

the bread was a little hard and dry but overall delicious...this one was in an area of pre-packaged items...

Whatever line you stand in, pay for what you purchase in the respective line. 

I paid at the anpan line for the anpan and black bean bread and then at the other types of bread line for the curry pan and an butter...

They have restaurants that serve sandwiches as well as western style foods on the upper floors...would like to try them in the future...I'll be back.

Ginza Kimuraya

4-5-7 Ginza

Chuo, Tokyo

Open daily 10:00-20:00

ps we had the anpan and kuromame bread for our breakfast on Saturday.

I was surprised that the kuromame bread was actually filled with all sorts of beans not just black ones.

The beans were slightly sweetened and the bread for both were similar to sweet bread type of bread.

Delicious!

noix de beurre

Wanted to send something to friend J in Sendai for her birthday.

Went to Ginza Mitsukoshi to send her something from Noix de Beurre.

They only have 3 shops and all are in Tokyo, and are supposedly super popular 

we tried their lemon cake...super moist and lemony

their financier was buttery and their pistachio financier had lots of pistachios and two griotte cherries on top

photos uploaded wonky...

These were delicious and I hope she enjoys what I sent to her.

Heard the line for the yakitate (just baked) items is always long but when I got to Ginza Mitsukoshi at 10:30, it wasn't too bad, though when I left it was starting to get krazy. (and the bulk of the people in line were Asian tourists)*

*before standing in line, grab a clipboard with an order sheet and a pen and fill out what you want to purchase, everything is in Japanese but there are photos of the products

I'll be back whenever I need to send a gift.

Noix de Beurre

4-6-16 Ginza

Chuo, Tokyo

Closed when Ginza Mitsukoshi is

Hours: 10:00-20:00

iced strawberry matcha latte

V wanted the recipe for the iced strawberry matcha latte....here you go!

Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte : serves 1

3 strawberries, diced

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon matcha

hot water

ice

1/2 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)

Dice the strawberries and add sugar, let sit aside to macerate

Make your matcha...I added some hot water (about 3 tablespoons) then whizzed with my milk foamer thingy, set aside

Add strawberry then add to cup

pour in almond milk, or milk of choice

Add the matcha that you set aside

Stir

Enjoy!

NOTES: I think I used a 200 mililiter sized jar (8 ounces) enjoyed this version more than the one I tried with strawberry jam

I think it might be easier to drink if you mash the strawberries...

We usually don’t have strawberries in summer, so I had to make it now

If you try this, I hope you enjoy it too

this and that

I "made" the slightly pink peony “bloom”...well actually, I had put the flower's "head" into warm water and then shook the water out...a little too hard, so the heavy flower "head" just fell off...boo…

We went to the Japanese version of Komeda coffee called Okagean. 

In our area, it is right next door to the regular Komeda coffee...Okagean has all sorts of Nagoya "wa" (Japanese) foods and sweets.

You can even grill your own mochi...

I kind of wanted shaved ice and Satoshi kind of wanted ice cream...

We both ordered this shave ice in a glass that is topped off with soft serve...

The little container of matcha sauce is sweetened.

Be careful when you try to pour the sauce, I spilt mine as it ricocheted off the soft serve...

 

This was delicious, and their soft serve portion is quite large…750 yen (tax included) each

red kiwi...been seeing these more often these days...

Tokyo People: not sure if these two are related to each other, but I often see them walking, the umbrella is super vibrant yellow

Tokyo Furry People: just hanging out on the asphalt...

another tokyo furry people: I think this one lives across the street from us and maybe pooping...pc: satoshi

I told you that the place I go to color my hair doesn't take reservations, so I try to go early...yesterday I was 3rd in line...the lady that was 1st in line brought a chair and her game...

to the left of our front door, there was our room number, I guess they plan to give us new plaques

in place of the camellia bushes they put up this fence, not sure how the 1st floor residents feel about not being able to see through the fence, I would be bummed

I wrote about this house before, glad I was able to catch it when their roses were blooming...

The weekend looks like it will be rainy, hope you have a nice weekend where you are.