WIFM

Summer 2010

WIFM — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:04:19 +0000

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In this issue…
Heart of SEOUL

Perfect Place for a Little Prince

Saving the Coral

People: Sonya Park

The Atago Experience

Cool Biz of Bladeless Fans

The New Lotus Elise

Dining with Royalty

Score That Dream Job!

KidS+WateR=Fun!

Swords of the Samurai

Japan’s first Master of Wine

Tokyo Restaurant Terraces

Publisher’s Pick

SUMMER 2010: From the Publisher

Simon Farrell — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 08:27:51 +0000

SUMMER 2010

In 20 years as a journalist I have reviewed luxury cars, fast bikes, best-selling books, tropical resorts and gourmet restaurants. But a fan? Read inside how Dyson has done it again — and enter the easy competition to win its latest bladeless model. Indeed, the UK innovator leads a WIFM summer issue strong on British goods, services and people. But there’s also South Korean lifestyle and design; a new French-theme day trip from Tokyo, and premium serviced apartments. Finally, WIFM has scooped an exclusive interview with Japan’s first Master of Wine.

Simon Farrell
Publisher
simon@custom-media.com

Sonya Park

Catherine Shaw — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:57:24 +0000

Globetrotter, leading fashion stylist and creative director of six chic shopping emporiums in Tokyo, Sonya Park is internationally renowned for her distinctive personal style. The Seoul-born, Hawaii-raised Park has lived in Japan for 20 years and is author of Sonya’s Shopping Manual, a compendium of 101 must-haves for looking fabulous and living well. WIFM talks to Park about her favorite things and places.

My personal style goes beyond fashion, labels or luxury for the sake of it. I see fashion as a useful tool, but in the end it is only one part of lifestyle. Genuine quality is more about something that matures and starts to carry the personal value that only time adds. I love the structure and detailing of vintage clothes, for example, and so started to make patterns of those things — in fact, that is how I started doing fashion lines. I know what I like now so I don’t see the point in following new trends every season. I prefer to work with what I know is already good, what works well and perfect that with little changes or improvements here and there, keeping it interesting.

Favorite weekend escape is Asaba ryokan, in Shizuoka, because of its deeply relaxing traditional hospitality and modern architectural touches. There is a beautiful outdoor onsen and a very unusual Noh theater stage on a small lake so you have all elements of Japanese culture at your fingertips. It is such a relaxing place to escape. I enjoy discovering more of Japan and finding out how beautiful it is; before now it was all about Tokyo and my work here.

The luxury I can’t do without is sleeping — I love a good seven to eight hours a night. This can’t always happen with the lifestyle I have, but I try my best. My bedroom is like my sanctuary; that’s why I am quite obsessive about bedding and things in the room. I have lots of products in my store that are related to sleep, in fact the first clothing I ever made was an all-in-one pajama that took two years to perfect.

Inspiration for my work dates back to even when I was very young — I loved a very different look to mainstream American fashion style. Coming to Japan had a lot to do with fashion because when I was growing up in the States I didn’t “fit” the popular look and I tended to wear boy’s clothes. Then I saw Comme de Garçon and immediately thought I have to go to Japan. I was convinced it would be so beautiful — all traditional Japanese gardens with beautiful women wearing Kawakubo’s unique clothes — of course, it wasn’t exactly like that but I still love her style after all these years. I do still also look to vintage clothing for inspiration — I love its craftsmanship and sense of design.

I feel most at home in Tokyo, even with the limited space that living here brings, although I always try to live with beautiful things. When I was building my house in Tokyo and didn’t have a lot of closet space I decided to buy only things that were beautiful, that I didn’t mind seeing all the time — like the most beautiful bathmat or even the dishcloths. The idea was to have nothing that needed to be hidden away. Current fashion is all about appearances, but true quality and craftsmanship make life so much more pleasurable. I only buy things I find beautiful and apply that principle to what I sell in my shops.

Favorite website is www.reference.com but I also use an online currency calculator and world time clock.

Twitter or not? Not.

Future Plans? Perhaps to go a little further with Arts&Science globally. We are currently in London, Paris and Asia, but a presence in North America would be good. My ideal plan for the future is to stay simple and not to be greedy. Quite a few people have recommended I also consider e-retailing, but I don’t buy things through the internet — other than books. Some things you have to touch to get a feel for it and besides, I prefer to keep communication and knowledge at the core. All our staff members know exactly what the story is behind our products and that our customers want to be informed. After all, these are precious things. I suppose I am really obsessed but I really love it!

www.arts-science.com

Publisher’s Pick

Simon Farrell — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:56:52 +0000

Of all foreign restaurants in Tokyo, perhaps Indian is most familiar. So I was delighted to find Swagat Tapas Bar serving dishes new to me. Ice-cold Kingfisher beer and Indian Cabernet Sauvignon arrived in seconds, followed by a light and bright-yellow lentil soup with a thick slice of fresh lemon and papadoms. Imagine a half potato stuffed with spicy minced vegetables and you have Tandoori bara aloo. After the crispy Tandoori prawns with sweet and spicy sauces came fresh goat cheese with coriander and mint, followed by peserattu — a crepe-like snack from Hyderabad created from a thin fried batter made of green beans and rice, stuffed with lightly fried onions, plus creamy coconut chutney. “We experiment with variety,” said ever-smiling owner Sunil, from Pune. Slightly sweet Kulcha is innovative inside-out bread with garlic, capsicum and onion. There’s also the bhel chat and pani puri for you to discover, while dessert was a delicious, hard and home made kulfi — condensed milk ice cream stirred for hours, with a sprinkling of cashew powder and almonds.

Swagat has two places, near Roppongi and Tameike-Sanno stations. Both Swagats also do bento deliveries, and cater for corporate events, weddings and office or home parties. While one is more casual and quick, the other is slick, with a fancy bar stocked with huge wine glasses, but both kitchens experiment creatively. I won’t say which is which, because I recommend you try both.

www.swagat-jp.com

Heart of SEOUL

Julian Ryall — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:56:26 +0000

photo by Robert Gilhooly

Gentrifying the capital’s streets of shame

The Itaewon district of downtown Seoul is shedding its sleaze to become a chic destination for locals and visitors alike. Girlie bars, long associated with brawling US soldiers based at the nearby Yongsan Garrison, are being bulldozed and replaced by classy eateries, while Paris-esque pavement cafes are taking over the down-at-heel knick-knack shops.

Itaewon’s nightlife has not disappeared — it has just evolved.

photo by Robert Gilhooly

Arguably the clearest sign of the gentrification of Itaewon was the opening in March of the area’s first boutique hotel — a far cry from the short-time knocking shops synonymous with this side of the tracks. The Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel quickly catches the eye, its facade of numerous brightly lit panels by day — clashing yellows, blues and reds — becoming tasteful neon at night. The lobby is equally fun: green swings are suspended by rope from the ceiling in front of a series of angled mirrors, while a high-backed velvet sofa looks like a scene from Alice in Wonderland, and the decor around the elevators recreates a classical suitcase with oversized locks and straps.

The hotel has 132 interestingly appointed guest rooms with free Internet access and iPod stations, while the bathroom soaps and shampoos are by Bulgari. As well as a banquet room, gym and business center, the hotel has a rooftop pool, restaurants and the Cafe Amiga with the perfect spot for people watching on the tree-lined boulevard. Indeed, it is the sudden proliferation of pavement cafes that have led Itaewon’s renaissance. A short stroll from the hotel is Spiro Luca, an Italian art display space with an attached restaurant and bar that spills out onto the sidewalk, while Between is a stylish lounge bar — all chrome and glass with the frontage opening onto the street. Between only opened in early June, but has already earned a reputation for excellent food — the tapas are impressively authentic — and an unusually well stocked bar.

But long-time visitors say it is refreshing to see that not everything has changed: the Koreana Folkcraft shop is still a cluttered collection of reproduction classical-style furniture, with stepped tansu chests alongside medicine chests that have tiny drawers bearing Chinese characters to identify their contents.

photo by Robert Gilhooly

The real thing, however, is now available a few doors down, with Royal Antique stocking furniture that would have decorated wealthy Koreans’ homes more than a century ago. The price is, of course, commensurate with their age and the fine workmanship of yesteryear.

Down the hill and past Itaewon subway station — completed in 2002 — there are still plenty of bars, fast-food joints and tourist shops in the back-alleys. Increasingly, though, these places are being squeezed out by the brash new facades of Calvin Klein, Adidas, North Face, Nike, Cold Stone Creamery and Reebok, plus a number of smart coffee shops.

Itaewon’s nightlife has not disappeared — it has just evolved. Five years ago, the narrow alleyway that runs parallel to the main road behind the Hamilton Hotel was a shadowy and grubby thoroughfare with a single bar. The Three Alleys Pub is still there, but it has been joined by a number of bars and eateries serving some of the best fare from around the world — appropriately being renamed International Restaurant Street.

The Bliss dining lounge has a prime location on the corner of the road and serves up Euro-fusion food — from salmon steak through risotto di fungi and proscuttio pizza — on its raised terrace. Upstairs, Buddha’s Belly serves Thai, while the top floor of the building is a Halal restaurant. Next door, Guga Galbi is a Korean barbecue joint while above is the Izakaya En, Japan’s contribution.

photo by Robert Gilhooly

At First Sight is a classy cocktail lounge that stands beside the Cucina Acca trattoria, which has the Copa Cabana Brazilian Steak House upstairs.

I sit at the open frontage of Gecko’s Bonji — the third Gecko’s outlet in Itaewon and clearly as popular as its two predecessors, Gecko’s Terrace and Gecko’s Garden — and watch the colorful procession of people in front of me. There are stylish young South Koreans mingling with football fans bedecked in the shirts of their national teams. A gaggle of overly tall and slender blonde women sashay past, almost certainly a part of the growing fashion scene here, followed by a slightly bemused looking Russian family.

The bar has an excellent selection of beers, including Ediger Weissbrau and Paulaner Munchen, but there is always another place to try. Next door, My Chelsea Brunch is a New York-style dining experience; the Loco Loca Latino bar is playing loud salsa music and serving up margheritas beneath its impressive chandeliers, while Zelen is for Bulgarian cuisine.

One of the favorites for locals is Le Saint-Ex, an authentic French wine bar and bistro that transports diners to the other side of the world. While the wine list is impressively long, the staff have immaculate long white aprons and corkscrews close to hand, and advertising plaques for Pernod dot the wall.

Fans of British pubs and US sports bar are not neglected, either, thanks to The Scrooge, The Dickens Lounge, The Baby Guinness Bar or Sam Ryan’s Sports Bar.

With all that entertainment, critics might still charge that Itaewon is still more than a little short on cultural attractions. Not so. The Samsung Museum of Art has an impressive permanent collection of traditional Korean and modern art, as well as regular visiting exhibitions. And that might signal the final nail in the coffin of Itaewon’s best forgotten and quickly disappearing reputation.

Accommodation:
The Imperial Palace Boutique Hotel
737-32 Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul
Tel: 82-2-6266-8000
www.ipboutiquehotel.com

Culture:
Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art
747-18 Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tel. 82-2-2014-6901
http://leeum.samsungfoundation.org

Royal Antique
736-9 Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul
Tel: 82-2-797-8637
www.royal-antique.com/intro.php

Food & drink:
Between
124-7 Hannam-Dong, Yongasn-Gu, Seoul
Tel: 82-2-795-6164

Bliss
119-7 Itaewon, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul
Tel: 82-2-798-1125
www.blisslounge.co.kr

Gecko’s Bonji
116-7 Itaewon, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul
Tel: 82-2-795-9656
www.geckosterrace.com

Le Saint-Ex
119-28 Itaewon, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul
Tel: 82-2-795-2465
www.lesaintex.com

Sources: For more information on photojournalist Robert Gilhooly, please see: www.japanphotojournalist.com

The Atago Experience

Simon Farrell — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:56:11 +0000

For a long-term stay, try these all-year-round and all-in-one luxury serviced apartments featuring convenience, community and culture.

Although Tokyo is a city of great contrasts, few parts of the central metropolis with easy access to business districts also offer the serenity of centuries-old cultural draws, and even wildlife. Add to that the spectacular views from one of the city’s highest natural points, and furnished residences featuring warm hospitality and all the frills, and you have Atago Green Hills Forest Tower.

Innovative urban developer Mori Building’s luxury residential brand MORI LIVING — motto “Bringing new ideas to life in Tokyo” — operates luxury residential properties in the heart of the city at 17 central locations including four furnished residences at Atago Green Hills Forest Tower, Roppongi Hills Residence D, ARK Towers and the Prudential Tower Residences.

Some staff members regularly exchange letters, cards and gifts with former residents who became friends during their stay here.

In early July, I spent a pleasant 48 hours in one of the 99 furnished residences at the 353-unit Atago Green Hills Forest Tower and learned why foreign and local professionals, academics and creative types — mostly singles or DINKs — choose to lease an apartment.

Naturally, location is vital. Situated in a thriving business district between four and 10 minutes’ walk from Onarimon, Kamiyacho and Toranomon subway stations on the Mita, Hibiya and Ginza lines, respectively, which quickly connect to other major commercial hubs such as Marunouchi, Otemachi and Yurakucho, this property is also defined by its balance of green spaces and all-in-one lifestyle that includes restaurants, spa, health clinic and shops, including an on-site, 24-hour, high-class supermarket.

World-renowned architect Cesar Pelli designed this residence to look like a lotus blossom, symbolizing “peace and quiet to help you savor the changing moods of the seasons without the distraction of the busy city.” Indeed, you may be surprised to hear from the surrounding greenery of Mt. Atago the occasional sounds of a fox or hakubishin (civet).

The famed community spirit evident at Atago Green Hills Forest Tower is enhanced by the numerous members-only events that encourage residents to not just meet each other, but also the staff. Indeed, many friendships between staff and guests began at such events, as well as during regular day-to-day operations.

“After some residents leave Japan, they meet up with our staff members in their own countries to continue the friendship,” said Residence Manager Hiroyuki Yagisawa. “Some staff members regularly exchange letters, cards and gifts with former residents who became friends during their stay here. We have more examples of the strong bond that develops between staff and residents.”

At the breakfast buffet, served daily in the 42nd floor no-smoking Lounge that also provides lunch, dinner and room service, I asked an American couple nearing the end of their three-year assignment in Tokyo what they liked about staying in this property.

One of them said: “They clearly have a lot of experience hosting international people because they seem to sense what we need and staff always have the right solution quickly at hand. It’s also great for a long stay because it is so convenient for everything.”

Other nice touches I observed in the Lounge include daily local and global newspapers, magazines and books, along with large windows, dishes being fully explained, and wine proffered for tasting before it was accepted. Staff members were always cheerful and friendly to residents.

The other American told me: “It’s just the right mix and balance of everything we require under one roof or very nearby along with warm hospitality, well-equipped rooms — and lots of culture.”

Indeed, culture is always a major draw for foreigners here. A Mexican resident recently asked the residence’s staff to show her the 500-year-old Seishoji temple located next door. She enjoyed it so much, she meditated there every day during her stay.

And when I arrived, the tanabata festival was being celebrated in the lobby with a tree in place. Some foreign residents asked staff about this traditional love story and soon dozens of wish cards hung from the tree’s branches. Expect Halloween and Christmas to get similar exposure, staff told me.

Healthcare is also taken seriously. The 41st-floor, 24-hour health-consultation room, staffed by a senior doctor and bilingual nurses, administers medical consulting and treatment for minor injuries or illnesses. And just opposite is the famous Jikei Medical University Hospital. “We have a special agreement with the hospital to provide our residents with the highest-class medical service should more serious treatment or advice be necessary,” said Health Consultation Room Director Makoto Ohara.

Of course, prevention is better than cure. The property’s GREEN HILLS SPA Manager Satoru Takashina provides adults with lessons, tailored personal training and wellness instruction at the gym and swimming pool. “I encourage and welcome our residents to use the facilities to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle,” he said. “It’s all part of the Atago experience.”

Those staying at furnished residences here also enjoy full spa membership at MORI LIVING’s three other residential properties in Roppongi, Akasaka, and Moto-azabu at no extra charge.

Although all one- and two-bedroom fully furnished residences (one, two and three bedrooms for unfurnished apartments) offer views of the changing seasons, the Sky Deck is a more sociable spot to enjoy the colorful fireworks over Tokyo Bay, with a special hanabi-viewing party for residents every August, weather permitting.

One interesting resident is an expert astronomer who demonstrates his telescope to residents on the Sky Deck. Indeed, other residents who lecture or perform include a pianist, a calligraphy teacher and an artist, while cooking lessons are available at the popular Daigo Michelin-starred restaurant.

Innovation is a key MORI LIVING word. The recently introduced “MORI LIVING Smiles” benefits program is the latest example of enhancing value for residents. Residents aged over 12 living at any of the 17 MORI LIVING residences in Tokyo on three-year fixed-term leases, can receive generous discounts and special offers from participating establishments in such places as Roppongi Hills, Omotesando Hills and Venus Fort that offer a wide array of services and products. Due to the global economic slowdown, the trend is towards longer fixed-terms such as the furnished residence contract, according to MORI LIVING.

Unlike some global serviced-apartment operators whose products and services are all basically identical, the MORI LIVING philosophy is that properties provide a comfortable stay along with their own character while sharing the same 24/7 elements of security, privacy, location, convenience and hospitality.

As Tokyo competes with New York, London and Asian capitals to be the global business and cultural center, expect more innovation from MORI LIVING to help exceed the expectations of international and local residents alike.

For information: Tel: 0120-52-1806 or email: sa@mori.co.jp

The New Lotus Elise

Custom Media — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:55:49 +0000

Stylish, powerful — and green While two-seat sports cars are generally more comfortable and reliable than ever, earlier models have traditionally offered better performance—until now. Priced at about one-fourth the cost of an Italian exotic, Lotus launched its latest Elise in Tokyo last June and invited WIFM to take a look.

Top speed: 204kmh
0-100kmh: 6.5 seconds
Fuel consumption: 6.14 liters/100km
Price: 5.1 million yen including tax

Interior

The interior is designed to save space and weight, but there’s also Touring and Sport packs and optional hardtop roof. Simple controls keep you focused on the road, while two air bags are standard along with air-conditioning, CD audio system and upgraded ProBax seats. With limited storage and comfort features this two-seat roadster suits short distances.

Engine

The 1.6-liter, four-cylinder Toyota engine tuned by Lotus is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and has optional cruise control. Although 200cc smaller than the predecessor Elise S, it produces similar power but more than 20% more fuel economy and about 15% less CO2 emission.

Styling

Distinctive engine cover opens from inside the cockpit.

Handling

Standard braking is ABS with high-performance calipers and optional traction control. Light, attractive cast or optional forged wheels come in silver or black.

Exterior

Sculptured front and refined bumper give a wider, meaner look and contemporary daytime-running headlamps freshen the classic design.

Cool Biz of Bladeless Fans

Simon Farrell — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:55:32 +0000

Cheaper, healthier and greener than air cons

When Robert Heldt put the Dyson Air Multiplier on his cluttered desk at Custom Media, we wondered where the essential bits were. “It’s bladeless!” he explained. Staff hovered over the minimalist design, prodding the buttons on the base and admiring the blue finish. After hitting start, the AM01 focused an even flow of air on my face, accelerating smoothly from dead slow to an almost industrial blast with a gentle turn of the air speed button.

It was a weird sensation to put my hand through the “loop amplifier” where the nasty blades of a conventional fan would have left my writing career and fingers in a bloody mess. Easily and elegantly, the device manually tilts to and fro on its solid base and swings left and right on touching the switch.

When Dyson invents a silent model, then that will be big news; meanwhile the AM01 makes the same slight whirring sound as any fan — but it’s much more fun to have around.

We all agreed this fan feels safe (no external moving parts or buffeting), attractive (eye-catching conversation-piece), practical (doesn’t block window light and no blades to clean), and very clever. With an increasing number of homes and offices reducing use of air conditioners due to health, cost, efficiency and environmental concerns, Dyson has released two new floor-standing Air Multipliers for offices or living rooms: the AM02 Tower and AM03 Pedestal. Both are substantially more powerful than the AM01 desk fan and the new models feature a magnetic remote control that attaches to the fan. Inventor James Dyson said: “Air conditioning is inefficient and gives little or no ventilation that circulates the air. These new machines are engineered to circulate smooth un-buffeted air in larger rooms. They amplify more air than our AM01 desk fan.”

How it works

Essentially, the fans draw in air through grills underneath with a brushless motor enclosed in the base. Using turbocharger and airplane engine principles, the air then flows up through the loop amplifier and is tightly squeezed through a slit on the edge of the loop, which accelerates the flow to draw in surrounding air and create the increased smooth blast.

Colors
AM01: (25cm) white/silver and iron/blue, (30cm) white/silver
AM02: iron/blue and white/silver
AM03: white/silver

Cleaning
Quick wipe with a cloth—no blades!

Weight
AM01: (25cm) 1.72kg, (30cm) 1.78kg
AM02: 3.36kg and AM03: 4.30kg

Height
AM01: (25cm) 49.7cm, (30cm) 54.7cm
AM02: One meter; AM03 extends from 1.2 to 1.4m

Noise
Comparable to similar products

Guarantee
2-year company insurance

Japan’s first Master of Wine

Catherine Shaw — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:55:08 +0000

How one man won the trade’s ultimate endurance test

Born in London, raised in Australia and educated in Tokyo and Paris, Ned Goodwin is the only resident of Japan to join the esteemed ranks of the world’s 281 Masters of Wine. But rather than simply extol the virtues of the world’s finest wines, he says he is more proud of the interesting wine lists he has created for family restaurants in Tokyo.

“It’s not difficult to come up with excellent wines to recommend, but much more challenging to find wines that will suit a variety of cuisines at an acceptable price point,” he explained to me in Tokyo soon after being awarded the notoriously challenging MW qualification after nearly seven years of intensive academic study.

Goodwin laughs as he recalls his entry into the Japanese world of wine. “When I first arrived in Japan 10 years ago, I came from a very high-end restaurant in New York as a well known sommelier — I had lots of energy. I came to a country dominated by tuxedo-wearing sommeliers and I really thought I would shake up the system. I was young then and I very quickly learnt that you have to work within the system to understand and change it.”

Goodwin also quickly realized he needed to understand the unique nature of the wine market here. “Every wine has its place. There are plenty of wines out there that are simple but well construed and good for the price. The Master of Wine course taught me objectivity because I had to try many entry-level UK-centric supermarket wines together with more premium styles and had to taste wines from all around the world. I realized that if you have a quirky wine list because you want to introduce unusual wines, you need to be there in person to explain those quirks, especially for those new to wine. What is more important is trying to provide interesting and user-friendly wines that go well with food.”

What is more important is trying to provide interesting and user-friendly wines that go well with food.

Although Goodwin says the best wine he has ever tasted was a Burgundy, for everyday drinking in Tokyo’s warm weather he likes to drink a German Riesling like Heymann-Lowenstein Schieferterrasen, which is fresh and very complex, but not too sweet. “German wines are not very popular at the moment, except in the United States where they are considered quite trendy. For reds I change a lot,” he said. “I like a simple Sangiovese or a good artisanal Beaujoulais on a day-to-day basis.”

What about the “anything-but-chardonnay trend,” I ask? “People in the know are talking about the new way of making chardonnay, particularly in the new world like New Zealand and Australia,” he said. “The best chardonnay for the money that I’ve tasted recently is from Kumeu River Village, and is made by a fellow Master of Wine, Michael Brajkovich. I would say it’s trying to emulate a Macon and doing it very well. It’s imported by Jeroboam, costs around 2,000 to 3,000 yen and is excellent.”

Although universally acknowledged as the most important wine qualification in the world, many leading wine experts have failed to complete the rigorous course that involves extensive theory and practical examinations plus a dissertation. “It took a lot of discipline,” admitted Goodwin. “It doesn’t matter how talented a person is in the world of wine, the Master of Wine course is an endurance test. There were some very difficult moments for me. My strategy was to pass theory first and then as an experienced sommelier I thought that the practical would be easier,” he recalled with a smile. “I quickly realized it was not just about knowing your wines — it is also about being good at time management, adopting a systematic way of tasting wines and getting on with the writing. A lot of people get stuck in the glass and then find the practical exam time has gone. You have to understand the whole process and hone the examination technique.”

So how is he celebrating the award? “It hasn’t really dawned on me yet. While I am of course very, very pleased, the optimal word is really relief. I’ve been on this quest for 6½ years so I feel quite exhausted. But in a good way.”

Tokyo Restaurant Terraces

Catherine Shaw — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:54:30 +0000

Eating outdoors offers chic, charming and natural ambience

Some things in life defy explanation. Like why eating outdoors can be better than inside — despite the latter’s air conditioning and expensive décor. Even Tokyo’s rain and searing summer are not enough to put off devotees. Whatever your theory, we think it comes down to the thrill of escaping the urban jungle, which makes our hot list of stunning outdoor eating spots the source of serious elbow jostling.

The large terrace with its elegant ivory colored umbrellas at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s French Kitchen at Roppongi Hills has long been a popular weekend brunch destination, but a new menu and furniture upgrade with curved banquette seating has now revealed it as an especially enticing place for all-day dining. Between 6pm and 9pm, its La Terrace Provence Barbeque promotion offers free-flowing sparkling wine and seriously tasty grilled foods prepared by their chef at an outdoor barbeque. Friday evenings are said to be especially popular with the sociable after-work crowd.

Two Rooms Bar & Grill in Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku has one of the most chic terraces in town, with large comfortable chairs and spectacular views over trendy Omotesando. This spot ticks all the right boxes: an excellent wine list featuring an alluring new world mix, the freshest oysters available and the friendliest staff around. Add reasonably priced set menus, the perfect dirty martini, teppan-grilled Sanriku scallops with bacon dust and avocado, and you’ll soon see why it’s worth competing with the beautiful crowd for a table here.

Step past the stunning bar and crisp linen-laid tables at the entrance of Union Square Tokyo, an outpost of the phenomenally popular New York original, and you’ll find their vast outdoor terrace. The menu features what chef Michael Romano calls “American food with an Italian soul.” It is worth visiting just this spot at Tokyo Midtown Garden Terrace in Akasaka for the pan-seared foie gras with pineapple-prune chutney and vanilla vincotto sauce.

Chez Tomo, at Shirogane in Minato-ku, is a firm favorite with Michelin fans for its excellent French cuisine with a Japanese twist — and at an unbelievably low cost compared to other similarly starred establishments. Chef Tomo’s tiny terrace adds an undeniable touch of charm to this culinary experience. The vegetable platter, an array of gorgeous colors and flavors, is like a tiny garden all on its own. Le Petit Tonneau offers authentic French dining in a bistro-like setting with French doors that open onto Azabu Juban’s charming “village square”. Menu favorites include predictably good steak fritte, crème brûlée and as one would expect, excellent cheese.

Chez Matsuo is one of the very few places in Tokyo with a “proper” garden setting. Set amid the leafy old neighborhood of Shoto, Shibuya-ku, it is justifiably renowned for its refined French cuisine and traditional service.

Billed as an “experiential” supermarket and restaurant, Daikanyama’s Eataly sells all things Italian such as cured meats, cheeses, authentic gelati and one of the best cappuccinos in town. It also has a wood-fired pizza oven serving paper-thin crusts and delicious melting mozzarella. Their outdoor plaza is ideal for Tokyo’s favourite pastime: people watching.

Located in a renovated warehouse with a vast patio right on the waterfront, TY Harbor Brewery, located in Higashi-Shinagawa, houses a bar, microbrewery and a large covered patio. Go for the wonderful Californian-inspired cuisine by chef David Chiddo. Signature dishes include buffalo chicken breast with bacon and blue cheese on ciabatta, and super-rich chocolate peanut butter brownie with vanilla gelato. The extensive wine list features many from the new world.

The Canal Café, tucked away on the banks of Idabashi’s Imperial Palace moat in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, is a closely kept secret thanks to its unique location and reasonably priced casual fare. The “deck-side” café and bar offers pizza, pasta and a very popular evening barbecue.

The Forest Beer Garden is also well worth a visit, if only to eat and drink outdoors surrounded by trees in Meiji Shrine’s Outer Gardens. Dining is casual with simple beer-friendly fare like German sausages and grilled meats. Beers include Kirin Ichiban Shibori on tap or draught Budweiser.

The French Kitchen
2F Grand Hyatt Tokyo
6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tel: 03-4333 8781

Two Rooms Bar & Grill
5F AO Building
3-11-7 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku
Tel: 03-3498-0002

Union Square Tokyo
Tokyo Midtown Garden Terrace
DB-112, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku
Tel: 03-5413-7780

Chez Tomo
5-15-5 Shirogane, Minato-ku
03-5789-7731

Le Petit Tonneau
1F/2F Idea Azabujuban Bldg
2-14-2 Azabu Juban, Minato-ku
Tel: 03-3454-1075

Chez Matsuo
1-23-15 Shoto, Shibuya
Tel: 03-3485-0566

Eataly
20-23, Daikanyama, Shibuya-ku
Tel: 03-5784-2736

TY Harbor Brewery
2-2-43 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku
Tel: 03-5479-1686

Canal Café
1-9 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: 03-3260-8068

Forest Beer Garden
Meiji Shrine