Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2010
Photos Courtesy of Y’s Table
It was like the Bubble had never burst. The opening party at Xex Nihonbashi back in October was a riot of Tokyo glitterati, all sharp-suited, quaffing champagne and roundly ignoring the Temptations tribute group singing “My Girl” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” to laptop accompaniment.
When we returned a month later, the vibe wasn’t much different, though we could actually get a seat this time. Xex sprawls across the fourth floor of the Yuito building, a new complex just up the road from the Nihombashi Mitsukoshi. Its premises include a bar and stage area—called, surprisingly enough, The Bar—and a branch of mid-range Italian chain Salvatore Cuomo Bros., plus a party room with karaoke equipment and a golf simulator.
Most of this will be familiar to Xex regulars, who might note that the view isn’t as good as the stunner you get at the one in Atago Green Hills, or that virtual golf isn’t much of a substitute for Xex Daikanyama’s rooftop pool. Quibbles aside, though, this Nihombashi newbie is every bit as slick as its sisters. Turn up without a jacket, as we did on our most recent visit, and you might feel a smidgeon out of place.
With its dark, low-rise armchairs and sofas, The Bar is the kind of spot to which you might retire for drinks with some clients or coworkers; the smartly attired group at the table across from ours is already on to their second bottle of champagne by the time we leave. We can’t afford bubbly, so opt instead for a Xex original martini (¥980) that’s bright red and tastes like it was spiked with cranberry juice. After a few sips, we manage to spill the rest of the glass over the table, which is pretty damn classy however you look at it.
As salubrious as the surroundings are, the drinks menu isn’t all that expensive. Glasses of Suntory Premium Malt’s and wine start at ¥480, and most of the cocktails cost ¥780-¥880, though the Yamazaki highball is a steal at ¥600. The whisky line-up ranges from Glenfiddich 12 Year Old and IW Harper Gold Medal (¥880) to “premium” heavyweights like Talisker and Glenmorangie 18 Year Old (¥1,700 and ¥1,900, respectively). They’re complemented by a range of grub from the Salvatore kitchen, including a decent D.O.C. pizza (¥1,800) and tapas like the surprisingly good “Italian-style” tofu drizzled with pesto (¥480).
Just be warned that those heartfelt renditions of Christmas songs and “Unchained Melody” that interrupt you mid-conversation also come with a price tag: we’re surprised to note an additional ¥1,000 per person on top of the 10 percent service charge on our bill. I bet that happened during the Bubble, too.
