Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2013
A good Thanksgiving dinner in Tokyo can be as hard to come by as an empty seat on the Yamanote line. Get stuffed at these eateries offering the traditional roast bird as well as some new twists on classic holiday feasts.
B & Loin
Slow smoking does just what the name says: rather than cooking with fire, the meat is smoked over a long period to tenderize and flavor it. This is the method B & Loin uses to prepare American beef and pork, seasoned with a dry rub and then smoked in an oven for a full day. It’s enough to make you think of home—especially if home is grillin’ country. Replace the traditional roast bird Thanksgiving dinner with some smoky BBQ. To make you even more thankful, American craft beer is available to complement what’s on your plate, with a lineup including Brooklyn Lager, a New York standard. Need another reason to celebrate? Bring this copy of Metropolis and receive one free drink.
1F Dogenzaka Pia, 1-22-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3461-1475. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-1am; Sun & hols 5pm-11pm. Nearest stn: Shibuya. www.bandloin.com
Bacana Ginza
Bacana is the original restaurant that started Tokyo’s churrasco, or Brazilian barbecue, boom over 22 years ago. This Thanksgiving, you can feast on traditional turkey in addition to the regular Brazilian meat buffet. Enjoy roast turkey with all the extra tidbits alongside the monumental all-you-can-eat buffet that has made Bacana a favorite since its opening. Wash it all down with some tropical cocktails and then rev up your metabolism by joining their famous samba dance line. All for only ¥4,500. Metropolis readers receive one free glass of sparkling wine as a welcome drink!
B1F No. 7 Central 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
Chiles Mexican Grill
Give thanks with some tasty Mexican food in the heart of cosmopolitan Harajuku this holiday. Chiles Mexican Grill is cooking up a feast of warm burritos with a special seasonal filling: pieces of tender turkey breast marinated in spicy adobo sauce then oven-cooked to create an extraordinary stuffing for your burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and taco salads. Delicious tequila cocktails or a variety of Mexican beers from the cantina are just ¥400 during the 4-8pm happy hour, Tuesday to Friday. Top your repast off with some family recipe horchata (traditional Mexican rice drink) or warm up with a honeyed hot chocolate or Mexican coffee. Every Tuesday from 4-8pm (until January 7, 2014), any spicy turkey order will get you 50% off a second portion. Bring this copy of Metropolis and receive 10% off on any main menu item from 3:30-6:30pm.
1-8-24 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-6434-9693. Mon 11am-4pm, Tue-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-8pm. Nearest stn: Harajuku. www.chiles-grill.com
CROSS TOKYO
A cornucopia of flavors awaits this season in a restaurant conceived by Yasumichi Morita, a leading Japanese designer. With a wall made from 912 stained glasses and a view of the Keyakizaka illuminations from November, Cross Tokyo offers exquisite food in a large, open atmosphere. This Thanksgiving they offer special course menus for adults and children. Try the delicious “Cross-burg” made from Hokkaido beef or the Parmigiano cheese pasta—with freshly boiled pasta cooked tableside and served with melted cheese, arugula and prosciutto. On November 28, they will be serving only the Thanksgiving course. The wine list boasts over 100 selections, and the fully-stocked bar is ready to make any cocktail you desire, such as a martini or a mojito. Check the Cross Tokyo Facebook page for special offers throughout the season.
R-2F EX Keyaki Bldg., 5-10-25 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5772-1445. Mon-Sat 5pm-4am, Sun 5pm-11pm. Nearest stn: Roppongi. Email: info@ips-cross.com. www.cross-tokyo.com/en/concept/
Frijoles
Frijoles may offer a focused menu of burritos, burrito bowls and tacos, but this Thanksgiving they’re doing something different: each location will be roasting up a whole turkey with all the trimmings. Then they’ll be serving up a limited number of hot turkey burritos and tacos for ¥1,040 each. With branches in Azabu-Juban, Roppongi, Akasaka and now in Otemachi, Frijoles always offers great-tasting real food in a casual environment, usually only enjoyed at fine dining establishments. Prices are kept simple (lunch and dinner cost the same) to avoid disrupting the relaxation of diners and to not to get in the way of what really matters—fresh and delicious food in an authentic US environment.
Roppongi, Akasaka, Azabu-Juban & Otemachi. Hours vary by location, check website for details. www.frijoles.jp
Hooters
Get a taste of some down home hospitality at the casual American restaurant and sports bar Hooters. This Thanksgiving there’s more to celebrate than just the friendly atmosphere, great food, delicious drinks and the famous Hooters Girls. Cop a feel of their seasonal “Big Turkey Wing” served with curly fries for just ¥780 from November 18-28. To make it even more festive, enjoy American football and other sports on their large-screen televisions while nibbling on six different types of chicken wings. At Hooters, you can count your blessings and indulge your cravings all at the same time this holiday season.
Ginza: Tel: 03-6280-6318. Akasaka: Tel: 03-6206-1242. Open daily, check website for details. www.hooters.co.jp/index.php
Madosh Cafe
Try something different this Thanksgiving at Madosh Cafe, a unique and healthy restaurant that uses avocado as its main inspiration. The new spot, with an interior designed by 3D artist Nobuyoshi Miwa and featuring cutting-edge music, caters to all cultures and tastes. This holiday season they are cooking up roast turkey served with their famed avocado salsa for only ¥1,000. To mix things up, try their popular fried avocado topped with mozzarella cheese and wrapped with raw ham, nachos with loads of guacamole or avocado sushi. Bring a copy of Metropolis and receive an avocado and mozzarella burrito for just ¥400 (reg. ¥800).
2F, 5-28-7 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3400-1188. Mon-Fri 11:30am-11pm, Sat-Sun & hols 11:30am-10:30pm. Nearest stn: Shibuya. http://www.mado.in/index.html
Tucano’s
Enjoy a Brazilian-style Thanksgiving with Tucano’s notorious all-you-can-eat churrasco feast. The 14 different types of churrasco cooking will remind you of Fogo de chão ( “fire of earth”), like the recommended picanha, a very juicy thigh meat. For cocktails, try Brazil’s national drink, the caipirinha, made with Brazilian cachaca. Tucano’s professional churrasqueiro and plenty of foreign staff will make you feel at home and provide you with exquisite grilled food while their stunning samba dancers strut their stuff. Add “Tucano’s Shibuya” on the Line app to get coupons. Bring this copy of Metropolis and receive 10% off lunch or dinner until the end of November.
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
