November 8, 2012
Beasts and Bourbon
All the turkey, trimmings and tipple you can handle in Tokyo
By Metropolis
Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2012
BACANA GINZA
In this haven of churrasco in the heart of Ginza you can enjoy a Thanksgiving repast par excellence, with a traditional turkey added to the Brazilian buffet and meat feast (dinnertime only). Enjoy your roast turkey with all the extra tidbits alongside the monumental all-you-can-eat buffet that has made Bacana a favorite since its opening. And all this for ¥4,500. Why not wash it down with some tropical cocktails, and commence digestion bopping around the room with their famous samba dancers?
● Nov 23-27. B1F Izumo Bldg, 8-8-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-6228-5627. Mon-Fri 11:30-3pm & 5:30pm-11pm, Sat-Sun & hols noon-4pm & 5:30pm-10pm. Nearest stn: Shimbashi or Ginza. http://bacana-ginza.jimdo.com
EKKI BAR & GRILL
In the stunning surroundings of the Four Seasons Hotel in Marunouchi, have an upmarket Thanksgiving meal, for a decent price, at Ekki Bar & Grill. The chef has been given license to run riot into traditional territory, and will be serving up plenty of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy, cranberry sauce, nothing less than bourbon vanilla-bean ice cream, and plenty more American-style delights. You’ll even get a sparkling wine for free. Stop in at brunch/lunch (¥4,500) or dinner (¥7,800) time during the four days the menu is available.
● Nov 22-25. 7F Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo, 1-11-1 Pacific Century Place at Marunouchi, Marnunouchi, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-5222-5810. Nearest stn: Kyobashi or Tokyo. http://meturl.com/ekki
GOOD HONEST GRUB
Enjoy Turkey Day all week long with the set feast at Good Honest Grub. Your traditional dinner will kick off with a salad of harvest greens topped with homemade dressing, before moving on to the famous roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, gravy and homemade cranberry sauce. All dinners come with a sweet chaser of homemade pumpkin carrot cake, plus coffee or tea (¥3,900/¥2,500 under-11s). Reservations are required, to avoid disappointment. Catering available.
● Nov 22-25 (seatings at 6 & 8:30pm only on Nov 23-24). 2-20-8 Higashi, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3797-9877. Nearest stn: Shibuya or Ebisu. www.goodhonestgrub.com
KICKERS sports bar
Check out sports history—or history in the making—at Kickers Sports Bar, with an eclectic clientele from all over the world. With your favorite NFL, soccer, rugby or what have you on the box, the crew at Kickers will even give you shots to match your mood—be it despondent, celebratory, or defiant. Tuck into stadium-style food to complement the experience. Stop by Kickers Japan during November and December to claim a half-price second drink when you mention Metropolis, and indulge in that home-style Thanksgiving feeling.
● 3F Akasaka SK Bldg, 2-14-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-3583-5606. Email: kickersjp@yahoo.com. Open daily 11:30am-2pm & 5pm to late.
ROTI ROPPONGI
Roti is bound to sell out its famous four-course Thanksgiving turkey dinners (¥5,400), brunch and lunch (both ¥2,400)—so reserve now. Fine American wines are picked to combine perfectly and are available for purchase by glass or bottle. Ian and the kitchen will serve up the bird in prime position, with spiced marinade and all the trimmings, veggie options, and delicious desserts—including pumpkin of course. Check their site or facebook.com/rotiroppongi for info. Take-out menu available.
● Dinner Nov 21-23, 6 or 9pm; lunch Nov 22, noon-3pm, brunch Nov 25, 11:30am-5pm. 6-6-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5785-3671. Open Mon-Fri lunch 11:30am-5pm & dinner 6-11pm, Sat-Sun & hols brunch 11:30am-5pm & dinner 6-11pm. Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.roti.jp
TUCANO’S
Do the pilgrims’ picnic Brazilian style with a feast to rival Tucano’s notorious all-you-can-eat churrasco buffet. Enjoy roast turkey with all the biz, mashed potatoes, green-bean salad, stewed sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie—all of which come alongside the regular all-you-can-eat menu (¥4,500/120min). Learn the true meaning of “Thank you, God” when you witness their stunning samba dancers strut their stuff twice a day on both Wednesday and Thursday, plus live bossanova twice every day.
● Nov 19-25, 5:30-11:30pm (last entry 9:30pm). B1 Fhontis bldg, 2-23-12 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-5784-2661. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.pjgroup.jp/tucanos
WHITE SMOKE
White Smoke’s Thanksgiving will offer an ensemble of classic dishes, with smoked turkey and honey-smoked ham as the marquee meats. The sides will include potatoes (herb-roasted and mashed with brown gravy), tres verduras de hoja (three-green medley), cornbread dressing, creamed carrots, sweet potatoes, and many other dishes. As always, White Smoke’s signature pies (creamy pumpkin and bourbon pecan) are the perfect ending to this authentic American meal.
● 1F Maimu-Azabu Bldg, 3-11-2 Motoazabu, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-6434-0097, email: whitesmoke@thebettertable.com. Open Wed-Mon 11:30am-11pm (LO 10pm). www.thebettertable.com
KIMONO WINE BAR
Thanksgiving is all about comfort food and tradition. At the cozy Minami-Aoyama hangout of Kimono Wine and Grill settle yourself in to enjoy a fantastic classic turkey-day set (¥3,500) including a welcome glass of bubbly to get the cheer going, a turkey dinner served share-style with all the trimmings, and dessert—choose from pumpkin pie, almond or chocolate cake—for an extra ¥500. Space is limited, so make sure you book early. Sister outfit, To the Moon and Back Catering, can provide Thanksgiving bento, hot buffet and even whole roast turkeys.
● Nov 20-24, two seatings at 6 & 8:30pm. 1-15-28 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-6438-1685. Nearest stn: Nogizaka. www.kimonowinebar.com. Catering: Tel: 03-6438-1685. Email: lauren@tothemoonandback.jp. www.tothemoonandback.jp
