Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2010

Newly opened Sakura bills itself as a budoshu shokudo—that is, a casual drinking and dining spot for wine lovers. But that’s only part of the story. Sakura is also a wine shop with more than 800 selections in its cellar, compiled by on-site sommeliers who have traveled the world to find wonderful wines. Want to try before you buy? Select any bottle and pay just a ¥500 corkage fee. Sakura’s food menu features French, Italian and Spanish cuisine (pintxos from ¥150, tapas from ¥300) with pizzas cooked in a wood-fired kiln specially built by an Italian artisan. If you’re just looking to relax with a couple glasses of expertly chosen wine (from ¥450), join the scene at the standing bar. Sakura’s ground-central Roppongi location and late-night weekend hours make it one of Tokyo’s most welcome new nightspots.

6-1-12 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5786-3939. Open Sun-Wed & hols 11:30am-11:30pm (L.O. 10:30pm), Thu-Sat & the day before Hols 11:30am-5am (L.O. 4am). Nearest stn: Roppongi, exit 3 (1 min walk).