Modern Tokyo Man

My Mecha Godzilla

cohiba — 2009-10-23T19:24:23+09:00

I got the R/C Mecha Godzilla about 6 months ago, and I finally got around to open it up. It is the best mecha godzilla ever.... EVER! It is pretty awesome and it has so many functions, it is overwhelming. It is pretty big and quite hefty.

If you get a chance pick this guy up.

The toy is about the same size as the Marui R/C Godzilla.

This is the box it is shipped in.

This is the toy box

This is the guy!

This is him with the R/C Godzilla and my cat

little lima

cohiba — 2009-10-05T01:32:15+09:00

Little Lima is a small teppanyaki place on Kotto-dori. It used to be in Nishi-Azabu and it moved to Kotto-dori a number of years ago. It is a small place, run by a family with the father and son running dual duty preparing the food, and ocassionally the mother comes in to help serve.

The restaurant at night attracts some heavy duty clientele of the CEO type. The owner does not take parties when he knows that the guests come from rival companies, and that helps keep whatever deals go on there to be discreet. I imagine that his clientele continue to eat there beacuse of such considerations.

The food in the evening is classic teppanyaki, with some interesting takes on vegetables Best potato latkes in town! The chef takes great pride in his meat and vegatables as each dish has its own pedigree or provenance. The meat we eat there at night comes with an actual pedigree. I think my last steak there graduated from Harvard....

I ahve never had wine there, as I always bring my own, but the walls are filled with some excellent empty bottles that I wish I were there for. Screaming Eagles, Chateau La Tour, Ausones, all awesome. I brought one of my 1990 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild for dinner there last time.

But what I want to talk about this time is the lunch there. Lunch there is cheap and excellent. The clientele is also differnet at lunch, more casual and seems more like the locals come by- designer types and OLs.

The hamburger steak is all kobe beef and is awesome. The hamburgers steaks come in three sizes. I recommend the LL-size (300g). I know it is huge but you will definitely be able to eat it, it is that good.

The only other thing on the menu is the beef shouga-yaki (beef sauteed in a soy-ginger sauce). The thinly sliced steak is kobe sirloin and it is so good you can eat the fat.

The shouga-yaki is a bit expensive compared to the hamburg steaks, but it is definitely worth the price. Definitely a good place to go to for lunch.

Bourbon Street

cohiba — 2009-09-30T02:43:01+09:00

Since my last post was about a restaurant run by a friend I will continue bu introducing those of you who don't know to Bourbon Street- probably the only and if not only still the best Cajun food in Tokyo.

The place is small, in the basment of a building off the main drag, but nicely done, with an open kitchen and small seating area. There are only 8 tables so always book in advance. It is one of the few places where you might not be able to get a seat on the day you want to go if you are reserving a couople hours ahead of time.

The food is hearty and plentiful, don't go full or even partly full. My faves are the catfish and the blackened swordfish. Get either one, you will be in for a good traditional Cajun dish, although the blackened swordfish could be a little hotter, but I guess one has to sacrifice for the local palate. The jambalaya is also very good, but I think the rice is ocassionally a bit sticky and once again I like more tabasco, but you can always add that afterwards. The gumbo is also very good.

The wine list is simple and affordable. Some interesting California wines on the list, nothing on the list will break the bank, and all tends to go well with the food.

Dessert is something I would like to try one day, but I am usually too full for dessert.

It is run by the "mayor" of Roppongi (I usee to have that title) Sohan, and he is a great host. You will have a big meal there and leave satisfied, but it is a bit pricey after all is said and done, so it isn't a bear market place.

GO to the bar upstairs after dinner for a cigar and some whiskey.....

Mario Frittoli i Sentieri

cohiba — 2009-09-30T02:29:02+09:00

Based in Nishi Azabu, Mario Frittoli i Sentieri is celebrity chef Mario Frittoli's new restaurant. He used to work at Il Forno, Il Pinolo and then at Luxor, so he has been around and knows his food.

I have been a steady patron at all of the restaurants he was at, and am a regular in Nishi Azabu as well. His cooking is a mix a traditional Italian with some modern touches. He doesn't experiment much, but the food is always very good and he knows what I like so that is more important.

The restaurant itslef seems at home in Nishi Azabu with dark colors and red being the theme. The architecture is modern and simple, nothing exotic, but the tables are fairly spaced apart, and the ambience is very good most nights, so I would have to say that decor-wise it is a success.

The food is always good but outstanding when he is in the kitchen (and now that he is the owner he usually is). The wild boar ragu is excellent and a favorite of the patrons. The lasagna is not on the menu but worth ordering prior to showing up. His appetizers are all very good so don't miss out on those.

The wine selection is standard, with some interesting offerings, but they did not have the Turriga (one of my faves) last time I was there. Dessert is also good there, the tiramisu is another favorite of the patrons.

If you are friendly Mario will sit down with you after dinner and share a limoncello.

You leave feeling that life is good and you had a good time. You forget your troubles for a while and enjoy first class food, and that is waht eating out is all about.

Oh, Nario si doing lunch now too. Get the Chicken Cacciatore- only 1000 yen and awesome.

Canned coffee

cohiba — 2009-08-21T01:43:50+09:00

Canned coffee in Japan is not a new concept. It has been around as long as I can remember, with UCC (Ueshima coffee Company) being the first on I tried, growing up as a kid.

The first time I had it, it must have been 3rd grade or so. It was very sweet with just a hint of coffee and, for a kid, very drinkable. Americans at the time did not have a taste for canned coffee. Now, with Starbucks selling coffe in pastic containers, and that Italian compnay selling espresso in cans, the concept is catching on in the States as well.

Japan has many more types of canned coffee than the US, with each beverage company manufacturing several types of coffee, some of the more common names you hear in Japan are Fire, Boss, Wonda, and UCC. I have tried a bunch of them and will probably report in on them as time goes on, but quite honestly- they all taste the same. The only discernable difference in taste is when the can says no sugar.

The coffee itself is what you would expect at a low end diner, watery and flat, no aromas to speak of. I like these coffees, however, for their sugar kick. They make you feel good when you are tired.

When I have the time I will do a side by side, so stay tuned.

Cougars in Japanese media

cohiba — 2009-07-29T09:40:34+09:00

I am watching a stupid program that is introducing the term cougar to Japan. They are saying that the term is popular in the States now.... maybe about 3~4 years ago, yes but now it isn't a popular term, as it is a part of the lexicon..... Japanese media coverage of US pop culture is always about a year late. The commentators are all idiots as well. Most of these people do not belong on television, I am at least as knowledgeable about US pop culture as these morons....

My smallest Zoid

cohiba — 2009-07-26T17:46:21+09:00

Went to the local FamilyMart today and picked up a coke. Attached was a small Zoid figure- cool!

My smallest Zoid. I think it is supposed to be a keitai strap.

Only in Japan

cohiba — 2009-07-12T23:08:52+09:00

Only in Japan.

Pepsi Fail

cohiba — 2009-07-12T23:03:08+09:00

FAIL!

Whoever thought of this was on some pretty strong stuff.

Keyakizaka and some catching up

cohiba — 2009-04-21T18:22:24+09:00

So I have been quite busy with work lately, so I haven't been really going out much. But I did get to Keyakizaka (teppan at the Grand Hyatt GH) in Roppongi Hills. It got one stat from Michelin. As is typical with Japanese meat places, the wagyu is always too marblized for my taste, and I passed. But now they have Australian tenderloin, which I prefer. Less fat, more lean and feels more like meat, instead of butter. It also costs less, which is always a plus.

The good thing is that they changed up the menu somewhat (like the introduction of the Aussie meat). I liked the escargot and the white asparagus dishes, both were grilled on the teppan. I prefer the snails at Stamps and Il Mulino, but these were good in their own right. The grilled uni was not a show stopper but competent.

The meal has improved there, before I disliked the place, but now it seems to have caught its stride. It is not great, but very competent.

Been going to Two Rooms a lot, since it is close to home. The place is pretty busy on the weekends (just FYI- my weekends start on Thursday). and the broker crowd (or what's left of them) are in abundance. You forget that there is a recession going on. You can go alone ahnd you will run into someone you know. I was there on Saturday by myself, and had 8 friends drinking with me within half an hour. Did I mention I met the Japanese Miss Universe finalists there last week too? That is another story.

No new toys this week, but I recently picked up the R/C Mecha Godzilla- the ultimate mecha Godzilla ever.

I am vowing to stop buying until I finish Spring cleaning. In Japan one cleans generally at the end of the year. In the US we do it in the Spring. I am trying to find someone who will buy used US books from me. I need more shelf space. I figured with the recession that used books would be more popular, ut I guess not. As is usual, too much stuff, too little space.

For those of you in Japan- Have you seen Chuck? It is a pretty good show. I think that it would attractan audience in Japan. It is a bit like a Japanese comic book. Normal kid gets a special ability and mayhen ensues. A girl totally out of his league is attracted to him. Lotsa guns and some stupid humor. It is what an American version of a comic book in Japan would be like.

Also started watching Krod Mandoon. Verdict is still out on that one. Also started reading Basic Instructions- an online comic- funny stuff, very funny stuff. This probably would not find a Japanese audience. It is pretty sarcastic and that does not go over well with Japanese senses of humor. ike Red Meat also like Red Meat, the food and the comic, so you get a sense of my teate in humor.

I guess Burn Notice is not finding any real support in Japan? Too bad, this is some pretty good television as well. I like it better than Chuck. It has been pretty good so far, and they started showing season one on Fox last year. Check it out on SkyPerfect.

New openings Two Rooms

cohiba — 2009-04-07T03:49:08+09:00

On March 26th, I went to a restaurant/bar in the new Ao building close to home. Two Rooms, the grill and bar that serves as the main restaurant for the building opened that day. The following Sunday was the official opening party. I got toasted at the party, but that is another story.

Located on the fifth floor of Ao, the bar side has a panoramic view of the Shinjuku skyline. It is prett awesome, and will definitely wow the ladies. There is a deck area as well, which has the same view, This wil be very popular as the evenings warm up. I imagine people will be fighting for those spots.

The restaruant is on the other side of the building, connected by a bridge. Hence the name Two Rooms (you enter on the restauarant side). The restaurant side has a great view of Aoyama-dori. THe executive chef is Matthew(?) or Michael(?) Crabbe, an Aussie chef serving continental fair. All good and some of it inspired clearly by the cuisine of Tetsuya. On one particular lunch they served a salmon dish very similar to the signature slow cooked trout at Tetsuya.

The bar food is quite good and one can eat there very well without going to the dining room, but the salmon for dinner is excellent and the steaks are well prepared. This wil definitely give David Chiddo and Beacon a run for their money.

The bar is run by Eddie and Juan from the Oak Door at the Grand Hyatt. I was a regular there so I will most definitely be seen here on many a night as well. It is already busy with the broker crowd on Thursdays and Fridays, which is sad, but what are you going to do, bankers need a place to drink down their sorrows too. At least now I can walk home.

A quick list to end this one. Places in Omotesando where you can eat/drink outdoors:
Two Rooms
Ukai-tei
Bulgari Cafe
Wine bar at roof deck of Pierre Gagnaire.
Smoke

My deck, heh heh,

Its been a while

cohiba — 2009-03-23T02:30:20+09:00

It has been a while since I have last written any updates to the Modern Tokyo Man. Much has happened so I wil fill you in on some of the more eventful things.

I recently went to the Grand Central Oyster Bar in Marunouchi. First time, even though it's been open for a while. It tries real hard to emulate the feel of the original, and succeeds more or less. The food is good, nothing inspired but soild. You can't really find Oysters Rockefeller anywhere else, so in some aspects it is the only game in town, except for, of course, (wait for it)..................................................................................... the sister restaurant in Shinagawa.

It is in the Meiji Yasuda Seimei building in the basement far from any really obvious entrances so be prepared to be a little bewildered at first. It is close by the Century Court, which I think I mentioned before.

I ma have always been a Blue Point Oyster kind of guy, and they have the Pacific version of it, so that makes me happy. I tend to not like the Japanese oysters, they tend to be too big for me, and I also feel that they tend to be served with too much brine. The Kumamotos are also good as are the Oyster Bay ones. They are served as you would expect, on a bed of ice with horseradish, cocktail sauce and red vinegar. Good with white wine or a cold one. I like my oysters with tabasco and horeradish or with a lot of lemon and black pepper, so white wine is less interesting than a cold beer.

The disappointment was the clam chowder, not as tasty as in New York, but with the same thickness of the soup and fewer clams.

The clams casino and oysters Rockefeller were good and competently prepared much like their sister in New York. The wine list is not as impressive as the one in NYC, but it serves its purpose and they have Bass on tap which is good for me when it comes to oysters. Oh, no all you can ear oyster crackers, what a bum deal!

The cost is plenty high, but from the crowd the place attracted it seems everyone is was on board with it. The place is packed- something that just would not happen in NYC.

I recommend it though, while oysters are in season, you can really do no better. It does not have the view of the one in Shinagawa, but it feels more like the original.

Prime Minister Aso

cohiba — 2009-02-13T12:45:16+09:00

While the US has a new President that, while some people may not like, the populace thinks will bring change, Japan has a veritable clown as their Prime Minister Let's look at a quick comaprison between the two leaders.

Obama- considered an eloquent speaker
Aso- his kanji ability is in question

Obama- at least trying to come up with ideas
Aso- no plausible ideas yet.

Obama- has the support fo the majority of the people
Aso- has no support

Obama- has a town in Japan named after him
Aso- has a body part named after him

Obama- wants my money, alot of it
Aso- gave me 12,000 yen!

Obama- using my money to bail out banks and car companies that need to go under
Aso- using my money to line the pockets of constuction companies.

Obama-is trying to create a socialist system in a democratic capitalistic state- Obamunism
Aso- is already in a socialistic state

Why does Aso always look like he is frowning?

cont'd

Feel Craptacular

cohiba — 2008-09-05T14:29:51+09:00

Oh man, I feel like one of those bugs that enter the brain in the Wrath of Khan is doing jumping jacks in my head.

Bukowski would be proud. Bukowski would die from my heinous hangover...

Hangovers are proof that God hates me. They make me promise things that I know I will not keep (Oh God, please make this go away, I swear I will never drink again!).

Hangovers are odd. Usually the hangoer starts when you are asleep and then you wake up in the morning and low and behold you feel like the Energizer bunny was using your head instead of his drum while you were passed out. Why do we wake up? Why can't we sleep through it until the hangover goes away. Ever notice that after you wake up, you can't even get back to sleep, no matter how tired you are? You sit still because your body is suddenly very sensitive to motion. You actually notice the rotation of the Earth. You hear weird stuff, you swear you can hear the background radiation emitted from the Big Bang. You feel slimy, as if the alcohol is coming out of your pores. Ugh.

The worst is when you look in your wallet and you see the bill from last night. Adding insult to injury.

All the cigar smoking and Grey Goose and sodas are rejected by your body, but it is after the fact and you wonder why now? Like getting the bill for food at a restaruant after you eat.... Why now?

Out last night Roti - 57 - Amrta

cohiba — 2008-09-05T14:15:54+09:00

Was out last night and went to Roti in Roppongi Midtown. I don;t like the Roti in the Pyramide Bldg closer to Nishi Azabu, but the one in Midtown is pretty good. The food is about the same, but the ambiance is better in the one in Midtown. Get the gorgonzola with Manuka Honey, simple but awesome starter. Also the burger as a main is phenomenal. Get it with bacon, foie-gras, mushrooms and gorgonzola cheese. It becomes huge but it is mighty tasty.

Went to 57 for drinks afterwards. What a dude fest! Not a pretty girl to be seen at all. Just dudes. I guess if you are into dudes that's good for you.... Went to the semi-private room in the back. Probably the best seats in the house. You get away from the riff-raff. The NY style cheesecake is very good there. It actually reminded me of the better cheesecakes in Manhattan.

The off to Amrta for drinks. Mentioned to Yokki that I saw his picture in the latest issue of Tokyo Calendar. Pretty late by then so headed home....

Off to another evening out tonight... going to a restaurant that apparently has a foot bath????

The price of Cigars has gone up

cohiba — 2008-08-26T17:20:38+09:00

As of August 1, the price of cigars in Tokyo (Japan) has gone up about 10%. Now my beloved Cohiba Robustos cost 3300 JPY! I actually find myself bargain hunting for cigars. While it is only 10%, If I buy my customeary 3 for a night that is an extra 900 ~round up to 1,000 yen- 2 beers at Heartland!

I find myself smoking more Monte Cristo #2 (2200 JPY) now. A fine smoke and I always liked them, but a step below the Robustos.

On a totally unrelated note: picked up a MIB Meka Buton. Pretty good score for 100,000 JPY. Also picked up the Astro-in-box MIB (which I always wanted another of) and the deluxe Liabe (all plastic, bigger than the puradera one), which was something I was always meaning to get. Also got a Mac Roadie (minor Ultraman Leo vehicle) and some Tryder G7 shuttle bot which was missing from my collection. Buying toys does not get me as high as it once did- how sad.

Recently built my 1/24 Gundam. Took a week, but looks pretty sweet. Next up is the 1/350 Yamato. I have two just in case I screw this one up bad....

Tateru Yoshino

cohiba — 2008-08-26T17:09:50+09:00

Was at Tateru Yoshino a couple of weeks ago. As always an excellent meal. Tateru Yoshino is a fine chef who holds stars in both his Tokyo restaurant and Stella Maris in France. He actually jets from country to country on a biweekly basis to cook at his places. I respect that. Most people, like Gordon Ramsey are never at his restaurants. I find that kind of off.

Gordon says its like Armani, where Armani doesn't stitch each article of clothing at his boutiques, but I say it is not the same. You can return a suit if it does not please you and is not up to snuff. You can't reverse peristalsis a meal and request a refund. You can compare suits and see if the one you bought is the same quality as something else. How do you do that with food? Can you go up to another customer and say- dude how's your linguini? is it soft and mushy like mine or does it actually taste good. Let me try some to compare.

Tateru Yoshino is there often enough that I am comfortable going. Also Wakanobayashi-san (the head sommelier) is there and if he is there I can be rest assured that the service will be top-notch and the food always under proper supervision.

If you go, get the goat carpacchio- excellent!

Every dish was very good and memorable, like a fine Michelin star restaurant should be. WE drank too much though. The Tokaji Ascenzcia was over the top. Excellent but unnecessary as we were all pretty toasted by that time. The Billecart Salmon non-vintage to start was and is always an excellent choice. The 1982 Ducru-Beaucailleu was excellent and cheap on the wine list.

The lamb there is the best in Tokyo.

Another night in the big Mikan

cohiba — 2008-08-26T16:55:51+09:00

So I went to the Hancock premiere last week. As premieres go I kind of looked forward to this one (Charlize Theron!!!!!). I was able to steal a few minutes of her time, and she was quite cool about it. I won't go into the details about what we talked about since it is all pretty boring stuff, but she acted interested and seemed sincere throughout the conversation. I have to give mucho credit for that...

After the premiere and all the excitement, I went to some party held in Marunouchi. A friend invited me so I went and we were able to hang out in the VIP area. Not much fun was to be had there, as there were boatloads of people, none too pretty and mostly boring. The cool thing was that they basically transformed the entire lobby of a big building (Maru-Biru) into a big party area so it was kinda cool. Much like a party at the Met or Museum of Natural History. You get to hang out and drink in areas that one normally would not The bad was that the sound system sucked and the music could not be heard throughout the venue. I guess this was to keep the neighboring establishments happy.

Then it was off to the Century Court for late night drinks. Some of the riff-raff from the party came as well, since it was the nijikai, but spent most of the time talking to an old friend. Century Court is a half regular bar half members club. It is not expensive, and it is cool enough. I did not like most of the people that came over though, so I was in the cigar divan for the entirety.

So much for last Thursday.

New club opening

cohiba — 2008-07-04T17:10:19+09:00

Well, went to another opejning last night. This makes about 5 in the past week.... Is Japan really in an economic pickle, because I can't see it....

Anyway went to the Century Court opening party last night. Thanks to a very cool girl I know. The club is quite big and has a lot of small restaurants in it. The place is in the basement of the Meiji Seimei bldg. The food was OK, but the party was fun. No big names, but I wouldn't know them even if they were there.

The guy told me I could be 50% off the initiation fee if I signed up now, so I did. So anyone who wnats to go to the Century Court, give me a shout!

101 and counting

cohiba — 2008-06-02T17:34:41+09:00

Well, I haven't updated this thing for a while. Been busy. Having an active life prevents one from actually being able to put down in words what's going on often. It also prevents you from being as introspective as you want to be, but life goes on.

So here goes,

Went to Michel Troisgros. Not the one in France but in Shinjuku. It sis located within a Hyatt Regency. The hotel itslef in pretty old. When you walk in it feels like a time slip into bubble Japan, circa 1987. Everything is overstated and baudy. Sort of like if Paris Hilton were a lobby then this would be it.

The restuarant itself is much more subdued. The place has one or two Michelin stars, but I would personally rate it 1/2 star. The food is good, but not mind-blowing. For 2 or three stars the food actually has to give you an orgasm. For three someone else should also be providing you with means to an orgasm, but whatever.

The best dish was the slow cooked sea bass. But the rainbow trout at Tetsuya's was better. The Okinawan pork bland and the skin was sticky.

The dessert was something that would be just as welcome at a HoJos. Uninspired and the chocolat fondant was overcooked.

The wine list was extensive and read like a pohne directory. But nothing really inspired there either.

The service was good. The English spoken was hard to understand sometimes, but an A for effort and the staff genuinely seemed to care.

All is all, "meh". It is a good restaurant but nothing that one would need to hike all the way to Shinjuku for.

Go to Tateru Yoshino for better food. Quality of service would be about the same too.

100th article

cohiba — 2008-03-31T15:14:21+09:00

And still no one is reading my blog. I don't care (maybe really a little). It is more fun to read back my old articles from a coupl e of months ago and laugh that to be read by other people.

So what for 100? Nothing special really. I finally activated the i-mode to my phone and I also got e-mobile for one of my laptops. e-bmobile works erally well. I am impressed. The new Panasonic laptop I got last month is also really neat. It has a big screen (13.1 I think) and only weighs 1.5kg. I wanted the Toshiba with the 64Gb flash memory drive, but it was sold out. THa Panasonic is quite cool though, with the drop proof casing and all that jazz.

I was also considering the Mac Airbook, but it is actually pretty heavy. Thin as a crisp but heavy. Waht is it made of- gold?

I also got the Optimus Prime speakers for the ipod. Haven't openend it up yet, but what a cool piece of geekery! My toy collectionsis literally out of ontrol. I need to make some hard decisions about boxes and opening things up now. It is insane! I need to move stuff out....

Lembellir

cohiba — 2008-03-31T15:00:40+09:00

Went to L'embellir the other night. I have been meaning to check it out, but was not able to until last week. It is very close to my home (Walking distance) and the restaurant took 1 star on MIchelin (not taht it means much to me), but as it was a new restaurant I was curious.

It is in a building that houses apartments, so the entrance feels a bit odd. The entry is not well designed at all. The staff upon greeting is a bit staid and stiff. After you are seated, the staff open up a bit more, but there is a lot of volatility between staff members. I ordered a la carte and also got the oyster special for the night. The amuse bouche was not that great, so I thought I would be disappointed, but to my surprise I was rather delighted with the food. Every dish was good, although at French palces I am not very experimental in my choices, I liked everythign that was served. The oysters were creamy and the sauce was a good complement. The appetizer of ravioli was well executed and the steak was good. I am not a big explainer of food. You have to taste it to appreciate the finer qualities like aroma, succulence and after taste. So I will just say good, yummy. Worth the money. Thes teak was rare and the sauce went well with the wine.

The Chateau Valandraud at 46000 was aslo fairly priced I think.

I will go again.

In the process of Spring Cleaning

cohiba — 2008-03-31T14:52:11+09:00

I am cleaning up my toy collection again. I dare not allow my maid to touch the collection if fear she might break something. I ahve too much stuff and my house is not big enough to store everything, so I have rented another storage area. This will hold all the non-essential stuff. I am storign the statues and resin there, for the time being. I am only keeping around the robots and action figures at the home from now on.

Does anyone know how rare the Gigabrain gokin001 is? If they do please let me know.

Also just bought a pair of Ferragamo croc shoes. Very nice if I say so myself... Every well dressed man needs a pair of croc shoes. Essential? Probably not, but very cool addition to the wardrobe.

Does anyone know of any tailrs that have 100% bamboo or some bamboo meshed material to turn into jackets? That info would also be appreciated.

Dazzle

cohiba — 2008-01-28T14:29:01+09:00

Went back to Dazzle in Ginza recently. I am not a fan of the place, but it was a work function.

Dazzle is one of those Citabria/Casita cloes when it comes to food. International with a hint of Asian.

It is a weird restaurant. You enter through the kitchen and then take another elevator to the main dining room. I happen to think this si less sanitary than a kitchen where the entire world does not walk through it, but hey, that's me.

The wine cellar is a 2 story enclosure that juts out diagonally into the restaurant. No wine angels though...

The service is attentive and lively, but I think a little too personable. There are too many Japanese restaurants that think that good service = I am your best friend service. I think that good service should be professional and a bit aloof. Too many restaurants blur the difference betweeen staff and customer and think it is a good thing.

The food is good but unremarkable. I don't remember what I ate. That is always a bad sign.

The price is a bit bull market, but nothing out of the ordinary for a higher end restaurant in Tokyo.

Take a date who is easily impressed.

Zeal for toy collecting

cohiba — 2008-01-28T14:19:50+09:00

As one of my vices collecting toys has been more of the innocuous (to my health) hobbies that I have. However, recently I just don't have the zeal that I once did for the stuff. I still want a few pieces, but I don't care about other toys anymore. There was a time when if I saw it I wanted it. No more. I have a lsit of about 20 pieces, all vintage, that I want, and anything else is sort of - eh, whatever.

Part of the problem is that I have no space to display anything. Everything is in boxes and stacked up. It is a waste. Until I have more space I think I am going to reduce my toy purchases. Just get the pieces I "need" and stop getting random things. I must be getting older....

I haven't really displayed my toys in about 12 years. When I was living in Ropppongi I had a much smaller aplce, but I also had much less stuff, so I was able to display some of the toys. I also had no life back tehn, as I knew no one in Tokyo, so I could display stuff without fear of ridicule. Now I can't display stuff in the living room as it would not be appropriate, so I have to get a bigger place. One where there would be a toy room (with some other sutff I bet).

I ask myself, what is the point of all this stuff, if I can't even enjoy them....

Sad testament to my life.

Il Mulino Revisited

cohiba — 2008-01-18T18:21:45+09:00

They changed the beef carpaccio!
Ugh. What a disaster! I liked the old carpaccio they did- veggies wrapped in raw beef. It was good.

This new carpaccio is OK, but it is the same old carpaccio you could get anywhere.... slices of beef over veggies.

Sat at my usual spot, the corner of the cigar room. The escargot was off the bar menu, but they still made it for me, as it is available on their grand menu.

The steak sandwich, which is always good, is still the best in Tokyo. But the restaurant as a whole, especially the dining room I do not like. Too dark and the service is always questionable. The food as a whole has improved, but sad, sad, sad, for the carpaccio!

2-chan

cohiba — 2008-01-11T16:33:38+09:00

Is 2-chan a venue for just anonymous, mean-spirited bashing? I thinkit is a good thing for 2-chan to exist, but a lot of the crap that comes out of there come from cowardly losers who hide behind the veil of the internet, and with that anonymity, go out and cause irresponsible damage. If you are going to say something, then I believe you should be held accountable. Sure, I hide behind a veil of the internet here too, but at least if someone doesn't like what I say, he/she can leave a comment.

There is no accountability at 2-chan. I think 90% of the garbage that is wrtten there would be gone if there was an iota of accountability to the writer of the comment.

Random toy image

cohiba — 2007-12-29T18:37:44+09:00

I don't have the room to display my toys, not that I really want to, but that is another story.

So the toys just pile up. I figured someone might be interested in seeing toys just piled up, so here it is.

And another one

The Celeb Phenomenon

cohiba — 2007-12-27T17:31:15+09:00

Now, I don't live in the US right now, so I only have an inkling into the whole celeb phenomenon over there. but in Japan they take it to a new level of craziness. The word celeb is over-used and over-hyped. I think that most use it now instead of oshare (お洒落), rich (リッチ) or zeitaku(贅沢).

The mass media hypes everything as being celeb or choi-waru(チョイ悪） meaning, fashionable, trendy or extravagant. Restaurants are celeb, or spas are celeb. Designer closthes are celeb, fine I can deal with that. But just because someone is a bit rich does not make one a celeb. I think the proper definition for celeb is famous for the sake of being famous. Paris Hilton (God forbid I run into her again, but that is another story) is a celeb. She has no talent, she is famous for being famous, nothing else. I guess the Kano sisters are celebs in that regard. But one is not a celeb or has a celeb lifestyle just because they go to a few extravagant places. It seems that if you have little bit of money and like to show it off then you are a celeb in Japan. What a joke.

Recently they invented a new word, puchi-celeb (プチセレブ)- a little celeb. WTF? They just mean a little extravagant. An extravagance that moer people can afford. Or the feeling of being one of the nouveau riche for a short period of time.

One does not strive to be a celeb. I think if you are striving to become of celeb, then you are missing the entire point. You re famous for being famous, you don't try, it comes as a by-rpdocut of your life, not the goal. Paris and tha Kano-sisters already have the fame, so now it is a business. Prior, they did not really work at it as much. If you work for it, then you are a true poser and living your life for someone else (the public in this case). I hate to think of how much money is pissed away on this stupid phenomenon in Japan.
"Oooh, I want that because it is so celeb", or "I want to eat there becuase celebs eat there." Get the stuff becuase you like it, or eat there becasue it is good, not to be a celeb.

I originally thought tht his celeb thing was going ot be a quick fad, but it continues to this day! It is sad testimony to the materialistic nature of current Japanese (especially women).

Just be yourself and get what you like, if that makes you cool in the eyes of other people, fine. OTherwise don't sweat it and enjoy life. And most of all don't flaunt your lifestyle, it can only come back to bite you in the ass.

Oh, Happy New Year!

New Toy

cohiba — 2007-12-01T15:54:35+09:00

Picked up the Yamato Bryger. I have to say, I am quite happy with it. It was bigger than I thought and it is quite nice. One day I will post pics of the old Takatoku one next to this puppy.

Bryger has decet heft to it, even though there isn't any visible metal. The Bryger car is basically a coat for Bryger.

The poseability is nice and the sucker is quite stable. I am happy with this purchase. Something that is unusual for me with Yamato toys.

Michelin Guide

cohiba — 2007-11-26T01:03:45+09:00

Well, the first Michelin guide for an Asian city (Tokyo) is out. I am unimpressed with the choices they made. I have eaten at most of these places and obviously a whole lot more, but their rankings are not wise ones. I think money must have exchanged hands.

I agree that Gordon Ramsey should get snubbed. Place sucks anyway. I do not agree with Citabria being a no show. I also get the feeling that some of the places that I like declined to be in the guide.

I don't agree with the Robouchon places getting so many stars. L'atelier du Robuchon in the Hills is OK, but the wime list is atrocious, the service is OK, and the food is passable, for the price. L'Osier was a good spot for dinner, but it will cost you an arm and a leg. I do not like the fact that they do not have a smoking lounge and the main dishes I have had there are uninspired.

Sukiabashi Jiro only got 3 stars because it is a favorite restaurant of Alain Ducasse. THe food is good, but any sushi place that does not allow you to eat food the way you want to is despicable.

EX Gokin

cohiba — 2007-09-04T15:01:24+09:00

Finally completed the set of Getter Ex Gokins. The three robots and the black Ryome Getter I. They are quite hefty and cool looking, but lack the funkiness of old chogokins. They don't feel like toys for kids. They are like MacFarlane toys but with metal.

I now have no space for new toys at all, but they keep arriving. I am going to have to put more stuff in storage. This is going to be a huge problem soon.... I don't know what I am going to do. My possessions truly own me now.

My toys go in 6 layers deep, taking up more than half the study. I have to be able to do something a bit more clever with the storage of the toys....

Peninsula

cohiba — 2007-09-03T13:46:57+09:00

I almost wrote Penis-ula, yikes.

Anyway, went on Friday for a pre-open festivity. I have only stayed at the Peninsula in HK and NYC, so I can't compare to many of its sister hotels, but the Peninsula in Marunouchi is not bad at all....
Its a small hotel, but reasonably located and as expected from a Peninsula, decorated well. However, I haven't really checked it out carefully, so I cannot say if it is a place I will frequent regularly yet. For example, the Ritz_-Carlton I won't go to unless it is business now, as I don't like it so far. I did like the Mandarin though and I am a semi-regular at the bar there.

NY BG

cohiba — 2007-08-29T10:55:08+09:00

Went to the New York Bar and Grill for the first time in a while. The food hasn't really changed since last time. The menu is the same, the gazpacho was OK, but I like the gazpacho better at Cicada, when they have it. The salads are huge as always and proficiently prepared. I was disappointed with the steak, as I ordered mine black and blue but it came out very rare instead.

The waitstaff was OK. They did not listen though, and I had to specify my steak order several times.

I don't think the meal is worth the money, as everything is quite expensive there.

New Toys

cohiba — 2007-08-22T19:30:41+09:00

Not really a toy, but picked up a new Dell desk top with a 22inch monitor. I am quite happy with it, even though there were problems at the start. I am using it to surf the web, play games and do simple stuff, but the machine is quite powerful. It`s like taking a Ferrari to the local grocer, overkill, plain overkill. What was once the cool thing to beat your chest by showing off your power tools has moved from the garage to the office where one shows off the latest supped up computers. Everyone is going geek.

Also picked up a second Daibaron DX last week. It was a steal at 100,000 JPY so I had to lift it. Aside from that, not too much in the world of vintage. Got myself a Govarian DX, which is somewhat rare a few weeks back.

Not too much into collecting toys recently. Nothing inspires me. My inner geek is fading away. My collection si seriously getting oppresive in my office. It easily takes over 50% of the room. You know the saying about your possessions owning you. In my case they are becoming a room mate.

Recent Party

cohiba — 2007-08-22T19:21:33+09:00

So, I went to the Summer Disco thing at the Grand Hyatt earlier this month. They actually did a pretty good job setting thing up and getting people to come. I went with a co-worker and he was amazed at the number of free single chicks there. I was not surprised I figured there would be gold-diggers waiting to be picked up there. I ran into Ishida Junichi there, a minor celebrity in Japan. He is known to be a womanizer, but he spent most of his time with an old dude. Ishida wasn`t wearing socks, which is usually the case with him. His feet have got to smell!

The music was good and scene was fun. Didn`t really run into anyone I know, but that was fine.

All in all money well spent.

Back from my long trip

cohiba — 2007-08-22T13:33:41+09:00

Hello!

Was in the motherland (US) for a few weeks, and just got back. NYC was vibrant and energetic, as always, but as I get older, the appeal starts to fade. Lotsa new restaurants (will write about them later) but I gotta say, I am a bigger fan of the tried and true old fashioned places in NYC. My previous trip (of which I really ahven't written about either) was filled with visits to the new and trendy, but this time around I went primarily to the older established places that I ha been going to for years. My conclusion- I like the older palces much better. Better food, better service, the ambiance might be more energetic at the Geisha's of NYC but the Smith and Wollensky's are where it is at. I went to Smith and Wollensky twice this time around, to the bar side and the main restaurant. Both times the food was excellent and the service was top notch. THe food is what you expect from a top steakhouse and the portions were huge. I wonder why such an old-fashioned steakhouse does not exist in Tokyo. I think it would do well.

I also hit One if by Land Two if by Sea, a tourist favorite and another old school restaurant in the Village. I hadn't been there is a few years, but the beef wellington was good as usual and the service wasw competent and professional. I can't stand it when a restaurant (like Balthazar) has your reservation but still makes you wait an hour to seat you. This is an outrage. Nothing like that at OIBLTIBS, THe only thjing missing at these older restaurants is the young vibe of the "must be seen" crowd, but I don't want to be seen and I don't want to be bothered by people interrupting my meal so I don't need to go to those places anymore.

But to the point of the blog for today. I finally bought a pair of croc shoes. I have been meaning to buy a pair for the longest time, but haven't for myriad reasons. This time at Bergdorf I found a pair I liked so I pulled the trigger. Expensive, and sort of a impulse buy, but worth it. Every well dressed man needs a pair of croc shoes and belt. It may be gaudy for some people, but you cannot deny their distinctiveness.

Golden Week

cohiba — 2007-05-06T15:15:42+09:00

It is Goldwen Week in Japan, and I am more relaxed than usual. I bought a new toy. A HoneyBee remote control helicopter. I haven't opened her up yet, but I aim to next weekend when I have more time. It looks to be a lot of fun.

I am also trying to sort through my collection again, trying to make it more compact, etc. But it is taking a little longer than I originally wanted. I have to open boxes and check to see waht is in themand do other stuff too... What a pain, but look at what I found. One of my black Raideen's hiding in a shelf.

Totally forgot about him!

Keyakizaka

cohiba — 2007-05-06T14:58:39+09:00

Went to the new teppanyaki at the Grand Hyatt in Ropppongi Hills on Thursday. In a word- "meh."
The food was good, not outstanding but good. I was most disappointed with the steak, which should not be the case, as the steak is the main thing at a teppanyaki place.

The apps were pretty good. The fois gras sausage was a unique dish and quite tasty. The white asparagus was good, but the sauce was a bit too vinegary. I recommend eating without the sauce, The shrimp was what one would expect from a typical teppanyaki restaurant. It was served competantly with no surprises. The takenoko, or bamboo shoots were in season and prepared with a balsamic vingar sauce, and I thought was the best dish there. The eringi mushrooms in a garlic butter sauce smelled nice but the taste left a little to be desired.

The steak is Iga beef, which is supposed to be some of the best in Japan. It was prepared competently as well, but did not inspire me. The sauces (a goma sauce and a salsa sauce) did not complement the steak very well. My Japanese companion liked the salsa sauce, but I orderd some soy sauce, and while it might have upset the chef, I thought it went better with the steaks.

Simple sea salt would have been the best.

It is located where Juniper used to be. It is a much better use fo the space. It is tricky to find and maybe beause of that, there were plenty of men with women who were clearly not their wives.

The wine lists are borrowed from the French Kitchen and the Oak Door so it tkaes a few minutes to get the wines. All the wines, as one would expect are quite overpriced.

The total bill was a clean 1000 USD for 3 people. Not bad for teppanyaki, but makes me appreciate Azuma, my favorite teppanyaki, even more.

Catch up

cohiba — 2007-03-29T15:32:54+09:00

Haven't written in a while. I will try to catch up on some events that I attended.

This week is the opening of Roppongi Midtown. Another complex of restaurants, shops and condos in the middle of Roppongi, where the self defense agency used to be. I am looking forward to the Union Square cafe that is opening up here. They start taking reservations today.

I was at the Oakwoods apartment party on Tuesday. Checked out the premises, had some champagne, food etc. Didn't really run into anyone interesting there, Donna Burke was the party entertainment. I have known her for a few years. She always scores me the Aussie Ball tickets.

Then went to Bourbon Street for dinner. Always a delight. Lots of food. Very spicy. Good meal, but a tad expensive.

Sohan is always there to greet you and the service is always good. I should definitely go there more often...
I had the chiekcn gumbo (yum!) and the blackened swordfish. Always tender and juicy and the pepper is just right.

Ran into Jean Reno last night. That's it, just saw him at a restaurant I go to often.

Actually, that's it for this week. Next week is a bunch of parties, includign the Davidoff party and Valentino...

Michelin Guide in Tokyo

cohiba — 2007-03-20T18:01:33+09:00

Michelin announced recently that they will be doing a restaurant and hotel guide for Tokyo this year. This is their first foray into Asia. Tokyo is obvioulsy a good place to start.

However, foodies in the hood are already commenting that the French know nothing about Japanese cuisine. So Michelin has set up a team of locals and French to evaluate the restaurants and hotels.

I write extensively for the Zagat's guide so I consider myself to be a foodie too. However, I do not have the concerns that the more vociferous brethren have. I feel that if a restaurant warrants 3 stars, then it should be able to cater to an itnernational clientele. It is not just for the locals.

But I wonder about the relevance of Michelin or Zagat's for that matter in this day and age of the internet, blogs and immediate access to information. You can read reviews of restaurants and what people ate pretty much as soon as dessert arrives. While most are not food critic, neither are the MIchelin people true experts in the field. Whatever qualifications they have, it is not the same as your individual tastes.

I hate it when I go to a 3 star Michelin chef's restaurant and find that the service is OK at best, the food mediocre and the ambience - eh.

I, of course, am referring to Gordon Ramsey and Joel Robouchon.

Dinner with De Niro

cohiba — 2007-02-20T10:26:11+09:00

Went to the new Nobu again last night. Had dinner with Robert De Niro (sory for name dropping but I do it so infrequently). Talked about the restaurant situation in Tokyo, good food and the world food scene in general. Mr. De Niro is quite the foodie and wuite knowledgeable. Had the cod, which is De Niro's favorite....

Had a bottle of the 2000 Cristal to top off the evening. Actually Champagne is something I was going to write about soon, as a gentleman one must always know how to choose a champagne.. Cristal (not spelled Crystal) is an excellent champagne made by Louis Roederer. It is their answer to Dom Perignon. but more on that later.

Louis Vuitton

cohiba — 2007-02-13T19:26:00+09:00

Went to the Japan CEO's birthday party on Saturday. No swag, unfortunately. Lotsa cute models though. Got a few digits, but nothing special.

My friend was ecstatic though. He had a good time.

Went to an interesting ramen shop over the weekend as well. In Nishi-Azabu there is a place called Go-gyo, close to the Stars & Stripes. There was a line (like all Japanese, queuing seems to be a hobby for everyone).

The point is that the ramen was interesting. The koge-miso ramen was a new taste for me. It is basically burnt miso soup with ramen inside. It tastes like burnt miso soup (as the name implies). I don't understand why anyone would lne up to eat burnt ramen. I did not like it.

However, I was reminded of the coffee ramen that someone on TV suggested.

Feria

cohiba — 2007-02-07T11:38:51+09:00

Another party at Feria tonight. I erally don;t like the place. For those of you who don't know it is in the Grace Bldg. across the street from where Velfarre used to be in Roppongi. There are too many people there with attitudes. The drinks are not so good, and the staff is not friendly. SO why go? I guess a bunch of friends are going to be there tonight so might go around 10:30....

See you there if you decide to go...

Cohiba Pyramides 2006

cohiba — 2007-02-06T15:52:36+09:00

Recently I had the fortune of trying the 2006 Limitada Cohiba Pyramides. A beautiful cigar. Nice aftertaste. Strong and flavorful. It was at my local cigar shop in Aoyama but it costs a bit 4500 yen per. I bought ten just to keep in the humidor. I think by letting it age a few years the cigars will be even better.

The color is nice. It has all the qualities you expect from a Cohiba. It is strong but tends to be a bit milder than the regular robusto or Esplendidos. The bite you expect from a Cohiba is not as sharp as you would expect. It seems to be a bit subdued by the smoke itself.

I have always liked the torpedo format and whenever Cohiba releases this style, I pick as much up as possible.

It is as close to a perfect cigar as you can get in Tokyo right now.

My rating: 9/10

Churchs shoes

cohiba — 2007-02-05T17:26:53+09:00

I have to say that Churchs' shoes is one of my favorite shoes. They are not as stylish as Lobb's but they are workhorses. They look nice and are very comfortable.

I broke in a pair yesterday. Shiny new penny loafers in black. Looks OK with just about anything. Penny loafers sort fo date you though and are not trendy. I have another pair of Church's shoes, a pair of brown cap toes. Excellent. Haven't worn them yet either... Can't really wear them with anything except grey suits or khakis....

I need more shoes.

Actually I want a few new things. One is a bamboo jacket (very nice from Brioni) and one is a pair of shoe, the name of the color escapes me though. The color is not black, but very close, and has tints of red. Very unique color. Darker than burgundy. IT is basically black with a red hue...

Any help?

Yamato model

cohiba — 2007-02-05T13:54:38+09:00

As readers are aware, I have recently acquired the Yamato model from Bandai. It is impressive. My one regret so far is that the turrents are brass and NOT painted already. You have to paint it yourself! This is an outrage. $400 dollars and they don't paint the turrents. IT is going to take forever to build this thing!

Beacon Brunch

cohiba — 2007-02-05T13:49:45+09:00

Beacon started brunch last weekend (28th). It's pretty good, reminiscent of the old days when it was Lunchan.

The portions are huge. It is a carbohydrate attack. I seem to gain weight every time I go. Get the French toast once. It is very good, but everything on the plate is carbohydrate. It is the anti-Atkins.

You will also see a lot of people in the indsutry there for brunch. Beacon is a popular broker place, so expect to see those people. That is the only drawback.

No new toys this past week, so nothing to write about there.

Poker set

cohiba — 2007-02-03T18:52:29+09:00

One of the things I got at my company's Christmas party was a poker set. I also got a Wii, but that is another story.

My question is, why do you need dice for poker? I can't think of a version of poker that need dice. The set comes with 5 dies as well.

Just a random thought.

Cufflinks

cohiba — 2007-02-02T15:12:00+09:00

Men don't have a lot of opportunities to be individualistic in their fashion. OF course you can be crazy and dress like Elton John, but he can get away with it becuse he is Elton John, eccentric and rich. So unless you want to be like Elton John, there is not much a man can do to show individuality.

One accessory that allows this, however, are cufflinks. You obviously need a French cuff dress shirt for these accoutrements, but every well-dressed man should have a few in his wardrobe anyway.

Cufflinks should tend to contrast rather than match the shirt. Bringing the viewers' eyes towards the cuffs. The cuffs should not clash however, just contrast. Red on Blue for example. Or a yellow. No blue on blue.

I recommend the knot type links, as they are very cheap and can add contrast very easily to the shirt. Cufflinks can easily cost you thousands of dollars, for ones that have precious stones or ar made of gold or platinum.

I also happen to like animal motifs. Duckbilled platypus or turtles. Anything to spice up the wardrobe and aadd a touch of individualism to the outfit.

When using metal lnks try to match the material with other accoutrements you have. The watch should match the links and belt buckle. NO gold watch with silver links.

On tuxedos, cufflinks are essntial and required. Usually onyx or some precious metal. They should match the buttons on the tuxedo shirt. Pearl links work well with a tuxedo too.

My current favorites are skull links that I got made at 13 Designs in Ebisu. He is a designer that does stuff for Aerosmith. They are sterling silver so are OK for formal affairs, and are not loud enough to attract attention, but for people who look, offer a bit of audacity to an otherwise formal affair.

British Embassy

cohiba — 2007-02-01T18:21:31+09:00

Went to the British Embassy last night for a party. Drank and ate too much. Hung out with the ambassador. As opposed to the US embassy, the British embassy is quite nice. The US embassy is basically a fortress. The party was held in the ambassador's residence.

It was fun. Too much wine and champagne though. Aaaah, life in the big city.

But for more important news.

Got a big package from Amazon today. I took a picture since it is the biggest box I ever got from Amazon!

The cat likes the box a lot.

But what was inside? Glad you asked. It is awesome by the way.
I think I will build it this weekend.

Cohiba Atmosphere

cohiba — 2007-01-15T18:00:54+09:00

The bar Rhapsody remodelled and changed its name to Cohiba Atmosphere. There is no restauarant ont he second floor anymore and the first floor has a bit of a tropical feel to it now. The loss fo the restaurant is probably a good thing.

The staff hasn't changed, which is key. They always treat me well there.

It has a more neighborhood bar feel to it now, and is frequented quite often by regulars. I don't tend to mingle with the regulars, but still feel at home.

Bar Sophia

cohiba — 2007-01-15T17:53:11+09:00

I went to Bar Sophia in Nishi Azabu for a friend's going away party.

I don't see the why people are fascinated with this bar. It does not seem special in any way. The links to Sophia Loren are superficial as well. The decor was not impressive in any way. Nothing really stood out. If it weren't for the party, I would not have gone. There are too many bars such as this where there is no scene, nothing to make it special in any way and no reason to keep going back.

I don't understand why it gets attention from magazines as BRIO or LEON. Having said that thouhg both have questionable tastes.

The drinks were passable. The service was adequate. The vodka they had was horrid! It ws some Nazi vodka that no one ever heard of... The food was ????

All in all, no real complaints, but no reason to go back...

Fugu

cohiba — 2007-01-15T10:44:33+09:00

Had fugu again over the weekend, but it was the first time this year (2007)! I don't know what the fascination is with fugu.
The meat is tender and has a little umami, but after you put some ponzu on it, all you can aste is the ponzu.
Fugu karaage is generally good, but again, I am tasting the salty skin not the meat.

The point is that the fugu is not the only thing I am tasting when I eat it. It seems that there is always a secondary flavor that overpowers the taste of the meat. Unlike other dishes, such as simple sashimi, that you can try just the meat, fugu sashimi seems to come with negi and momijioroshi as standard flavorings.

However, all is good with me and fugu and I will continue to eat the delicacy.

Well rounded

cohiba — 2007-01-10T12:53:25+09:00

I was looking over the past entries in this old blog o' mine and I realized that all I talk about is food and toys. That was the original point, but I figured that the blog should better represent the modern Tokyo Man as is the title. So what makes a modern man? This is a long topic that cannot be answered in one post, so I will break it up over the next couple of posts.

As an executive summary though, I offer the following: The true gentleman is a man who knows what he wants, who he is and is proud of who he is. However, he does not covet wealth, seek to harm others and maintains integrity in all circumstances. He always treats ladies well, maintains discretion, is loyal to friends and is not boastful of deeds or possessions. He is also always learning nad shares the wealth of knowledge freely.

This may be a definition of a gentleman, and I agree whole-heartedly, but these aspects of a gentleman are personality traits. Let's get into the accrutrements. The stuff.

They say shoes make the man. I agree. A good outfit can be ruined by a poor pair fo shoes. A good pair of shoes will last decades. A good pair of shoes do not go out of style. A good pair of shoes save an otherwise pathetic outfit.

Where to get shoes? In Japan shoes cost a fortune. So I say if you are going to get a pair, get nice ones. Don't go for the trendy ones marked up to the hilt and will be out of style next year, get tried and true good quality shoes. They night even cost a bit more, but they will be worth it.

I am very particular about my footwear. So I will have very distinct opinions about shoe makers and will only buy from a few companies. My personal preference is bespoke. But that is not for everyone. It is a bit costly and takes 3 months for the shoes to arrive.

If you are desperately in need of shoes now, go to John Lobb. Get a pair of cap toe lace ups. They are a classic design and will go with just about anything (except jeans perhaps). For jeans I recommend the John Lobb double monk straps. This is a shoe that will go with just about anything (excpet tuxedos, but tuxedoes require toally differnt footwear). Ferragamo makes a sturdy, well-balanced shoe as well. I like their slip on loafers. Gucci- only the higher end stuff is worth owning. The lower end stuff tends to wear out too quickly. JM Weston makes a good shoe as does Chruch's. Church's shoes are de rigeur for suits and business. This shoe, if treated properly will last a lifetime.

I have never liked Testoni or Magli. The shoes tend to wear out too quickly.

Styles: I recommend the cap toe or split toe, as shoes with designs (wing tips) are trickier to wear with simple clothes. Monk straps will tend to make your foot appear bigger, due to the extra material, but for most people it is not an issue. I also recommend getting at leat one pair of brown shoes, especially if you like to wear khakis. Classic slip ons like th Gucci buckle slip on or penny loafers can do the rounds at business or play so they are also a good investment. Avoid shoes with multiple colors. They will go out of style immediately, unless you spike them and go golfing.

Some rules for shoes:

1. never wear the same pair on consecutive days. Always rotate. It gives the shoe time to breathe. SO one pair is not enough.
2. no black shoes with brown pants. Ever.
3. shoes match your belt color. Always.
4. keep your shoes clean. Whether you go to a shiner or shine them yourselves, always keep them clean.
5. Always buy a comfortable shoe and always buy quality over trendy.
6. A well dressed man will always have more shoes than one thinks.

I also like boots but that is another topic.

Beacon new menu

cohiba — 2007-01-09T00:22:37+09:00

Went to the Beacon last week (Friday). Matsubara-san from Cicada ihas moved over to Beacon. I have known him for a long time, ever since he was at Mike Amrta. It is always nice to know that someone you know will be serving you. It always makes a restaurant more comfortable.

Ran into a bunch of work people there, including guys from Nomura and Merril Lynch. I was with a friend. I always hate it when I run into people and they want to talk shopp on my private time. If I am on business that's one thing, but my private time is just that, private. People who insist on talking to me about work when I am out lose points.

Beacon has a new menu. The lamb stew is very good and the carpaccio is interesting. They still have the Cajun BBQ shrimp! They have a few new fish dishes as well, but I didn't get to try them.

Also they are starting Sunday Brunch of the 28th! Excellent! as Good Honest Grub has gone out of business.

General Update

cohiba — 2006-12-19T14:19:44+09:00

I haven't written here in a while. Life has been too busy to update this old thing. I am thinking of updating the thing altogether and making it more than just a blog, but that will have to wait until year end perhaps.

I haven't been to a good restaurant all week! I have been eating at home recently and I need to get out. There are so many restaurants and so little time. There are several new restaurants I want to go to, but haven't been able to yet. Most of them I know will be crap, but there are a few Italian restaurants that warrant my attention. Reviews will be available once I get off my ass and go.

Been going to Fureika a few times. It is Shanghai crab season, and they do a good soup. It costs $35 but it is worth it. I also happen to like the dumplings there. Awesome. Best in Tokyo.

I did manage to pick up a PS3 and a Wii over the past few weeks. The PS3 sits where the PS2 was. I am shipping the PS2 to the US. The PS3 is a beautiful machine, but I don't think I will be playing it all that often. It is much like the PSP. Nice machine, but no play value.

The Wii, on the other hand I have been playing. This is an awesome machine. Very cheap too. It comes with WiFi for under $300! I like the games on this machine.

Toy-wise it has been quiet. Haven't picked up any vintage in a while. Picked up the pink Votoms bot and the 1/60 YF-19. Built a few Zoids, picked up the 1/20 motorcycle toy and a 1/72 Layzner figure. Picked up someother random things but can't recall what I bought. Need to buy some more vintage to keep up appearances. Maybe next year....

Have a few parties this week and next week, but all in all quiet.

That's about it. Life outside of work is a bit slow now, but I hope it will pick up soon.

Kamahachi

cohiba — 2006-11-07T17:56:35+09:00

So went to Kamahachi for the first time in a couple of years last night. It's a small Japanese place along Rt. 246 in Omotesando. I happen to like the Oyster nabe there, but did not get that last night.

My friend and I ordered a la carte. Oh, well.

The sashimi was fresh and presented well. Most of the fish on the menu is seasonal so the quality was exceptional. The cooked dishes were also very good. I liked the butter sauteed mushrooms and the saikyo yaki very much. I also liked the ocha-zuke at the end as well. The age-dashi tofu was par. Nothing exceptional. I also remember the wasabi mayonnaise chicken to be very good.

The food was very good, and I compare it favorably against such standards as Yanmo or Nobu. The great thing is the price. For two people it was only 11,000 and change. A bargain.

Will go back there soon. Next time I have to get the oyster nabe though.

Afterwards went to Stair for a drink and a cigar.

Layzner model

cohiba — 2006-11-07T17:45:38+09:00

Wow, it's been a while since I have posted anything. I've been busy with work and parties so I haven't bothered with the blog. I am not diligent enough to keep writing, especially when I spend a lot of time drnk or working.

Anyway, I built the MG level Layzer model from Bandai a couple month back and I thought I would post a quick review of the kit.

Much like its MS brethren, the Layzer (1/48 scale I think) is fairly easy to build, with great articulation and good design. Lots of accessories as well.

The bad- The toy looks more like a toy than the MG cousins. The blue color plastic stands out as shiny and cheap looking. I guess I could spray the thing with the flat finish thing. It certainly looks cheap without it.

I have never been a fan of the design on Layzner. The head is just too big. Looks sort of like a Gundam face with a big pus bucket attached to the backside.

All in all, a fun build but sort of looks cheap.

Oh well, it was fun to build....

Mechanic File Yamato

cohiba — 2006-09-27T10:19:18+09:00

In my continuing bid to reduce the area that my collection takes up, I have been foreced to open more and more toys and discard the boxes. One such victim is the Mechanic File Yamato.

As mentioned before in this blog, I am a big fan of Yamato. I have always digged the design. I have many renditions of the toy, including some pretty expensive ones (think Liberty Planet) and the Mechanic File is just one of them. I sort of classify this thing as toy crack, but the overall price pushes it out of that league.

The quick and dirty: I am not a fan of this toy. I don't hate it, but I don't like it. I am not happy with the front of the ship. The wave motion gun mouth is just wrong. Too small or not carved right.....

Its about a foot long and has nice heft, but the main problem is that the ship does not hold together. The parts just don't fit right. You have to force the pieces together, and they do not hold. It is a nightmare to move around. The outer shell falls of with the slightest touch. The small guns around the bridge and smockstack also look really cheap and lack detail, unlike the rest of the parts. It just does not work.

I am not getting the clear version of this toy.

Its too bad, since the toy is pretty big and has potential.

If you are going to get something in this size range, get the Nomura or the DX Popinica.

Good luck with the hunt.

Morimoto

cohiba — 2006-09-25T17:19:47+09:00

Chef Morimoto is popular in the US as an Iron Chef and priprietor of a few restuarants bearing his name, especially in Philadelphia and New York.

The Morimoto in Tokyo, in a nook of Roppongi is his foray into Japan. It is a restuarant in collaboration with the XEX group. The restaurant has a sushi area and a teppanyaki area in the basement. There is also a small lounge/bar on the first floor and a more comprehensive lounge on the second floor. I have been to the place a few times now for drinks and for eating.

The bar is small, but nice. A few counter seats and a couple of lounge chairs. Drinks are made proficiently by the barstaff. Its acuatlly a nice place to start an evening off even. However, I think it is meant to be a place to have after dinner drinks.

The lounge on the second floor is a space that really only old people would appreciate. The big leather sofas and seating area is nice, but it is not by any means a happening spot. The same really goes for the first floor bar too, but the first floor bar has a better ambience. Cigars at both were in good shape.

The teppanyaki in the basement is OK. I have my favorites for teppan, and unfortunately Morimoto's will not hold a place among them. This being said, it is not a bad teppanyaki restaurant, It is just that the other palces I go to are in aleague by themselves. Morimoto's teppan is not authentic teppan, in the "traditional" style that US customers might be used to, but has more options. Some o the choices are definitely more European in origin. All the choices I have had were good or acceptable. The duvk dish was quite good.

My main problem is with the steaks (which is in fact a big problem). The filet was too marblized. This is a major problem when grilling a steak. The meat tastes like butter. The best steaks should not need marbling. The best steaks have a fine grain that make the meat tender without fat in it. The filet then has a beautiful flavor that is not adulterated by fat. Marblized steaks are good in small quantities or for beef sashimi. Do the chefs actually eat the whole steak? One bite might tate great but after three chunks I was ready to upchuck. There is such as thing as too rich. It was like eating lard. Yuck! If you go to the teppan, don't get a big steak.

The sushi area, I enjoyed much better. The food was pleasant and the service was very good. The traditional sushi was expertly prepared. The more creative dishes are hit or miss. The oysters with foie gras was a miss. The oysters are way too small, and the scent of anise overbearing. The Morimoto sashimi, while it took 20 minutes to prepare was quite good. It had a lot of interesting flavors and all the ingredients were tasty. The maguro caprese was uninspired. Just tuna mozzarella and some pickled vegetable (forget what that was). The sake list is not great either. The rolls were all very good, as they were prepared clearly by people who knew what they were doing.

All in all, decent restaurant. Nice ambience, not too expensive. I am a sushi bid over the teppan.

God Marz

cohiba — 2006-09-22T00:50:53+09:00

Well, went to Beacon Urban Chop House again for another big dinner. Hung with a friend in the private room in the back, loaded the table with a party of 12. As is usual had the BBQ Cajun Shrimp. Excellent. My favorite appetizer there. The filet was cooked rare as requested and the creamed spinach was off the charts. Had the garlic steak fries for the first time. A treat. Topped off with the banana cream pie (another favorite). I am always happy that thte food is consistent there. It is never, Oh My God excellent, but is always good. Solid value and always satisfied.

Took off with a sub group to Stair for a dirnk afterwards.

Home now.

I am still sorting through my collection deciding what to keep here and what to send to the US. I am now looking at the Custom Godmarz and DX God Marz. The DX God Marz is one of those robots that I always feel is getting the short end of the stick. I actually like the design. It is nice and hefty, has a lot of weapons, and most of the bots shoot their fists! It is also the only bot at the time that was a 6 robot combiner. Although the DX gets a decent premium in the secondary market now, it still does not ahve the cachet of a Golion or a Voltes or a Combattra. It saddens me since the toy I think is up there with the "classics". God Marz is one of the robots no one really talks about... It even had a Taiwanese bootleg...Godtron. I think the deisng is a natural projection of the super robot design as toys evolved from the super robot to the "realistic robot". God Marz has both esthetics, I think. It is clearly a super robot, but there is a distinct design difference between the era of Voltes, Combattra,Golion, Daimos etc, and God Marz. God Marz has a similar esthetic to God Sigma, I think.

I remember the enemy robots of God MArz to be extremely ugly though.

Good luck and good hunting.

Magiking alternate colors

cohiba — 2006-09-13T15:49:44+09:00

In my quest to eliminate boxes, I have opened up the limited edition Magiking with the better paint job. It is the same toy as the original, but with more detailed paint.

All the gimmicks are the same. I am not sure why this version was not the first version, but I am not here to questions the motives (well, actually making money) of Bandai, but to comment on the toy itself. I like this version better than the original, but I am not a fan of the robot itself.

I cannot respect a robot that has a pointy hat. He's like Orko on steriods. He is a lot shorter than his older sentai bots as well.....

Each individual robot has the mobility of a brick. I wonder how these robots are supposed to battle the forces of evil when you can't move your arms or legs. The main play value is the transformation into the dragon and gestalt bot. Both are nice combinations, but you want some play value in the indiviual robots as well.

Unless you are a completist there is no need to get this guy.

Day in the life

cohiba — 2006-09-08T13:56:06+09:00

I have actually received some feedback asking me what sort of life I lead. My blog here is mostly toys or restaurants, with an ocassional sidetrack into cigars or something else. I guess some have thought it a strange dichotomy or a weird juxtaposition of interests. some may think that your typical toy geek is some fat, unhygienic social idiot without much interest in much else (a la the comic geek from Simpsons). I actually don't know people like that at all. Most are actually well adjusted. The least well adjusted toy geek I know is Leonardo Decaprio.

So allow me to relate a day in my life (this one is a bit more busy than most, but by no means is it crazy). If this entry sounds a little boastful, I am sorry. I don't mean to be. I just want to depict a somewhat typical evening for me.

I will skip the work part as work is work. No one wants to hear what I do, and most of it is proprietary anyway.

So, finish work at 5, as is usual. Go home and check on maid (she usually comes Mondays, but had to come on a Thursday this week). Play with cat. Cat drops my toys off shelf (new Yamato Dog and RAH Stormtrooper). Make cat stop playing with toys. Play with new remote controlled airplane (the Tomy one that flies indoors- cool!). Cat attacks plane. Make cat stop attacking plane.

Shower. Put on decent threads (as I dress like crap for work), new black blazer, dress shirt, 13 designs custom cufflinks, black slacks. Favorite Lobb monkstraps.

Off to Nihonbashi at 6:45. Arrive Sant Pao (3 star Michelin restaurant next to Coredo Bldg. Tonight is the party for Cuban ambassador and the Habanos cigar company. I like my cigars, so I get invited to a lot of these things. General mingling, meet and hang with said ambassador. Meet Antonio Inoki, the pro-wrestler turned politician. Nice guy. Hang with presidnet of Cigar Club. Eat good food ( I always like the food at Sant Pao, one day will write up a review)- excellent ham BTW.

Soon after off to the Spanish Embassy in Kamiya-cho. Party with the ambassador- charity dinner. Buffet style, but the food is OK. There is some gallery of art done by six eyar olds. I feel that most art can be done by six year olds so it is with a sigh of relief that I am right this time. Catch up with friends, eat more (ugh)!, Smoke more stogies.

Off to the Kokusai Bunka Kaikan in Roppongi for another party. Meet Musashimaru. Catch up with friends. Smoke even more stogies.

Off to the Oak Door for a night cap. See Eddie (the manager) drink my customary Grey Goose and soda (great for dieting). No more stogies (smoked all the ones I got from first party).

Home at 1AM.

Not crazy, but a decent night out.
If this seems pretentious I will delete it later (after I re-read it).

Next week: fashion show and shop opening parties galor! I am already booked solid for next week.

RAH Stormtrooper

cohiba — 2006-09-07T15:50:23+09:00

If you have the Darth Vader. You need to get a couple of these bad boys. I have always been a bit skeptical of the RAH line, as the figures are hit or miss. Clearly the older ones are crap. The costumes fall apart and the decorations would cake off.

The newer ones have improved. The costumes don't come apart anymore. The packaging is nicer and the range of figures has spread from tokusatsu only to a wide variety of genres.

I liked the Darth Vader quite a bit and when the chance came to own a couple of the Stormtroopers at half off I decided to pull the trigger.

The box (which I threw out) is similar to Darth's. Very stoic black with a flip cover to see the figure inside. The Stormtroopers come with a blaster and 2 extra hands. The armor is plastic and vinyl and stays on well. Poseability is the same as all the new RAH figures so no surprise there.

The great thing about the figure is that it looks good. The scuplt definitely comes close to the cinematic original. It looks cool.

One day I will post pics of them next to good ol' Darth.

Tinun

cohiba — 2006-09-06T10:13:05+09:00

Stopped by Tinun last night for the first time in a while. Great Thai food at very reasonable prices. It is right by Omotesando crossing, next to Anderson's bakery.

I am not a food snob. I like all sorts of food, ramen, McD's, soba. I am not one who thinks that food has to be expensive to be good. Japanese poeple may call certain food B-class gourmet. I think this is an insult to the food, and the people who prepare it. All food deserves to stand on its own, not to be categorized or ranked in such a way.

Anyway, Tinun is great Thai (the first Thai food I actually like in Tokyo) and the prices are really good. My favorite dish is the Chicken Rice Gao Man Gai (not really Thai, but great!) The Thai stew is also very good and the appetizers are great. Standouts are the Raw Spring Roll and the Shrimp cakes. The Shrimp Cakes are crispy outside and nice and plump inside.

The chicken rice is excellent. The rice is steamed in the juices of the chicken, so the rice itself is quite flavorful. The chili sauce is a good combination of tart and spicy. The chicken meat is tender as well. I have had chicken rice at various places in Tokyo, but Tinun's is the best so far.

The decor is not sophisticated, but nice. Nothing screams ultra-modern, but neutral. Nothing good nothing bad. Functional might be the best way to describe it.

The open kitchen is a nice touch.

The service is standard. No mistakes, not too friendly, not rude. Something you would expect at a refular restaurant.

All in All: great little Thai place with good prices. Go for the chicken rice!

SoC Leopardon

cohiba — 2006-09-05T15:38:37+09:00

Haven't really seen a review of this toy (haven't really been searching the web for any either though) so I will write one up. The quick and dirty: Cool!

The toy comes with a vinyl spiderman, but who cares about that. It also comes with a hotwheels sized Spierman Car, but who cares about that.

The robot is hefty (unlike the Battle Fever Robo) and comes with 2 sets of arms! 1 for fist firing and one for posing. There's diecast int he arms too. This makes the toy quite heavy and looks good next to its old chogokin DX and ST toys. Good poseability and the transformation capability give the toy high marks for me.

The bad: Can be fragile. The door in the back of the animal head (whatever that is) on the back of Leopardon (so I guess maybe some feline beast-leopard maybe) will eventaully snap off. Guaranteed.

Lots of extra parts and weapons are great. Good paint job. Did I mention surprisingly heavy (I think I did a bunch of times) The additional toys make it a good buy.

All in all: one of the better SoCs to come out in a while. I am liking this toy. One of these days I will pose the new guy next to its older renditions in DX and ST formats.

Porterhouse Steaks

cohiba — 2006-09-05T15:30:27+09:00

Another review of a restaurant I have been to a few times in the past. Recently I was there for lunch, but mostly I go for broker dinners.

Porterhouse is a gaijin fave located in Nishi-Azabu where Ken's Chanto dining used to be. As the name suggests it is a steakhouse. The portions are huge (for Japanese standards) and the menu choices are fairly standard steakhouse fair.

The restaurant is on two floors with the main dining area in the basement. There is a separate bar area as well in the restaurant that seats maybe six people. The decor is subdued with some monochromatic features. The place needs a slight overhaul though, as the walls on the first floor are getting a little dirty.

The service is attentive and friendly. Service in Tokyo is usually professional, so you generally don't hear me complaining about it. Sometimes though the service is too much or just crap. Porterhouse scores well in that regard.

There is a lot of voaltility in the food though. The steaks I have found to be wuite good on some nights nad too greasy on other nights. I like my steaks without too much "shimofuri". Japanese people think that the more the meat is marblized the better. This is flat out wrong. It is the grain of the meat that is important. The marblization helps the grain become more fine, but the drawback is that the meat becomes quite fatty. There is a point where the marblization becomes too much.

At Porterhouse, be sure you can pick the cut you want, or you might get stuck with fat meat. Last time they did not know what black and blue was either. I had to educate them.

The clam chowder is awesome. The appetizers in general are quite good. The steak is hit or miss. The wine list is overpriced (but as it is a broker favorite, it is a prerequisite).

The lunch burger is awesome. Get the mushroom sauce.

All in all: definitely go for lunch. Dinner, go if taken out and be wary of the steaks. Choose carefully. Also no cigars at the bar. Who wouldn't want a fat Cohiba after a good meal? Get a humidor guys!

Atelier de Robouchon

cohiba — 2006-09-04T17:31:23+09:00

Finally went to the Robouchon at Roppongi Hills. I was apprehensive since I did not hear many good things about it. I was pleasantly surprised. Not thrilled, but pleased. Sort of like seeing Cliffhanger after all the bad hype... "Not as bad as everyone said it was." For what it is, its pretty good.

You have a choice of a set of courses or a la carte. I am a big eater, so a la carte all the way. We had several dishes so I will only highlight the ones that need comment (everything else ws OK). The Iberico ham was good (but really has nothing to do with the restaurant, it is just raw ham). But eating it with butter was an interesting if not heart-disease inducing twist. I kinda liked it, but not something I would repeatedly do.

The uni dish was excellent. It is a signature dish of Joel's and I liked its cousin at the old Taillevent.

The foie gras burger was yummy. Small but good. No meat, but still tasty, and has enough texture to make you want more.

The steak tartar was excellent, lack of bread with it made it a bit repetitive after a while.

The not good: the steak was too greasy. The egg dish too small. The wine list was surprisingly small.

The cost ws about 25,000 a head. Not a small bill at all...

All in all: The restaurant is in the Hills so it is always busy. The food is OK, some of the items are good, the others are best left out. The wine list needs work. It is pricey and OK. Not a great combination, but its got enough legs behind it that I would go again, but would choose from the menu more carefully.

Toynami Voltron

cohiba — 2006-09-01T15:08:04+09:00

I have never been a fan of the Toynami toys. I got a few of the Valks and one of the Legios. The Legios ahd the wrong orientation on the chest, and the Valks all kinda sucked. The one good idea they had was the brown valkyrie with the three antennae. No one else made that one.

Voltron is a hair above the other toys (but just a hair). My one has the common problem with the Blue Lion. You need to jam it in there to make it stick. I don't like the fact that it feels like you need to use so much force you will snap off the Black lion's legs just to get the toy to fit properly. Nothing shoots! This is the biggest gripe. At least they should have done the four lion attack or something that the Popy version did not do. This would have been the balls.

The overall look of the lions is more streamlined, can't really decideif I like that better. The robot has more poseability than the Popy version, whichis nice, since the Popy version only the arms were really poseable, but the Toynami one is not stable and will not hold the pose. The robot looks skinnier (not as manly as the Popy version) as if went through some bulemic phase. I know this is supposed to be closer to the anime, but the Popy version would flatten this sissy version (if the Popy version could actually move a bit).

Lots of diecast though, always a good thing. Nice heft to the toy.

Is it worth the 18,000 I dropped? Eh.

Monte Cristo #2

cohiba — 2006-09-01T14:26:10+09:00

Another perennial favorite of mine, the torpedo. Best cost performance cigar without question. I love these. It's rather mild and doesn't have the spice that is associated with, say a Cohiba, but it is always a solid smoke and the drag is usually smooth.

Always good with a single malt or brandy, it is mild enough that it does not overpower the drink, so you could even go with something smoother, like a sherry or a port.

It is in some circles considered a beginner's cigar as it is not overbearing and is very enjoyable. The cost (2000 yen) is not bad and just like the Partagas SerieD #4 is a great cigar for the money. The torpedo style gives the flavor more volume and I like it better to the comparably priced Monte #1.

I tend to buy it by the box, as they tend to dry very easily and I usually don't have a good one when they are sold separately, out of the box.

Like the 16yr Lagavulin, always a solid cigar that one finds going back to very easily. Cigars come and go (like the splendid 2000 Cohiba Pyramides) but the #2 is a steadfast winner each year.

Water Grill

cohiba — 2006-09-01T14:13:33+09:00

The Water Grill near Nishi-Azabu crossing is a great little hideaway that served some pretty good oysters. Great for a date and not too expensive (think about 12,000 a head including wine).

The oysters are from all over, domestic and international. I tend to like the overseas oysters as they are generally more creamy and don't taste like brine. The oysters come with about 5 different sauces, ranging from the traditional cocktail sauce and ponzu to more imaginative ones like chinese pickles.

You can also get fried oysters, or oyster shooters in a variety of combinations. All are pretty good.

The carpaccio of beef with bluberries actually works, but I thought the beef was a little tough.

The winner there though is the gumbo. It is very good, and probably the best in Tokyo. I actually like the gumbo here better than the Bourbon Street one, which is also quite good.

The wine list is a predominantly white (go figure) and some deals are on there, but the list overall is small.

The service is good, professional and not too chummy (I hate too chummy). The decor is modern, with a few tables on either side of a large counter, where you can watch the chefs prepare your meal. The counter gets quite crowded, and couples get a little too cozy for my taste (immediate reaction to the oysters?) so I prefer the tables.

All in all, go for good oysters and the gumbo. Everything else on the menu is good, but not the reason to go.

Beacon Chop House revisited

cohiba — 2006-08-30T15:26:15+09:00

Since opening night, I have been to Beacon at least a dozen times. Although I was not completely sold on Beacon on opening night, I am much more of a believer now. I chalk up opening night to inexperience of the staff (to be expected).

As before, the New Orleans Jumbo Shrimp is excellent! It has gotten better than before, and is my favorite appetizer there. The crab Louie (finally got to try it) is second. The lobster spring roll is also a spotlight on the appetizer list. All are good, but the shrimp is spiciest (I like spicy) and quite filling as well. Also David worked in some fine restaurants in the French Quarter so its not like he dosn't know his stuff.

All the steaks are decent sized steaks. The filet is 7oz., the sirloin 10 and the ribeye 12. The filet is my favorite cut, so I tend to get that, but the ribeye also has an off-meu sister, the Cajun ribeye (same cut) with a spicy finish. I like the Cajun ribeye when I can actually put the whole thing down. Usually I stick to the filet. I recommend, however, if you haven't tried the Cajun ribeye gor for that. Just be prepared to eat a lot.

I have yet to try the other meats on the menu.....

The desserts: cheesecake or banana cream pie. No question.

The wine list is quite good if sometimes out of date. Last time I was there they were out of one of the magnums again. There are some bargains on there if you can find them. Always a winner is the 2000 Silver Oak, if in doubt of something to drink.

All in all, the price is reasonable and the food is always great. Great place to go during the week when you want a fun night but aren't going to go out all night....

Cicada

cohiba — 2006-08-30T15:10:21+09:00

Part of the three C's in Tokyo (Cicada, Citrbria [see earlier review] and Casita), it is one of the staples of the restaurant scene for gaijin and brokers. It is located between Nishi-Azabu and Hiroo on Gaien Nishi Dori. It also happens to be another restaurant run by the guys who run Beacon in Aoyama.

The restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and has an eclectic wine list with a special section for sherry.

The decor is simple, very much a wood theme going on with a small fireplace that work sin the winter and a see-through wine cellar. There are small tables as well as one alrge table for large parties or for more familial seating for separate parties. There is a private room and a bar area as well. The lighting is not overly bright so you can actually see your food (unlike Il Mulino) and the seating between tables is far enough not to annoy me (this is always a concern for me).

The service is always very good here. I know the staff (this obviously helps a lot!) they are prompt, polite and don't butt in (unlike Casita).

The food though is the big winner. The menu is basically divided into tapas type food and mains. Best hummus in Tokyo, no question. My Turkish friends also endorse it, so I can't be completely wrong. The tagine is good, but I am not a fan of tagine in general, so I tend not to get it. The beef carpaccio is excellent (second only to Napule right now) but the shrimp (pilpil) is the best tapas type thing to get.

The mains are unfortunately a little more plain but good nonetheless. I say this because a lot of the dishes are tagines, which I don't like, so I am always getting the alternatives. The ribeye is always a good choice. The scallops with the lemon risotto is solid as well (I like this dish better). The grilled snapper is good, but the potatos were a little greasy this time. The rare tuna with grilled radicchio was very good, but I am not a huge radicchio fan so I did not finish the dish.

Always a satisfying meal and good time. But they better start doing the baklavas....

Yamato Garland

cohiba — 2006-08-30T14:54:34+09:00

So, my now long term project of cleaning up my toy area (into a month now and the maid is freaking out) has me deciding what to ship to the US, what to open up and what to keep in boxes.

One of the toys I decided to open up and toss the box was the 1/15 Yamato Garland, so I figured it deserved a review. I now notice that the toys I mention are sort of a hodge-podge of vintage and new (my collection is diverse, to say the least).

First, I want to mention that the shoulders are indeed fragile. Mine is not broken, but the problem is clear. The joints are too small for an area of the toy that requires quite a bit os moving around. The fucker can snap at any instant. The scerw that connected the metal part of the hinge was too tight, so I had to loosen it a bit before transforming.

The transformation process is complicated and should keep lovers of transforming robots busy. I usually mess around with my toys onthe floor, but since i heard this thing was fragile I actually tooled with it on a table (highly unusual for me).

The shoulder joints and the leg joints are indeed fragile so be careful when playing with it.

The plastics used are a bit brittle, so I can see problems arising in the future. The magnets holding certain parts together is a nice touch. There are magnest on the side of the legs and part of the body.

The look of the bike is OK and I like to look of the robot mode as well. I don't remember Megazone 23 all that well, so I can't comment on any egregious differences. The color seems a bit dull though. I wish they would have made it either 1/12 or 1/18 though. 1/15 is kind of random.

The Shogo figure is worthless.

The only other accessory is the gun, which does not seem to want to stay int he hand nicely. It is always at an angle and annoys me.

All in all, not worth over 10,000 for the toy, due to its design problems, but if you handle it gingerly and don't really thrash it around it should be OK.

Good luck with the hunt.

Popinica DX Yamato

cohiba — 2006-08-28T16:09:27+09:00

This toy brings back memories. I bought it at Forbidden Planet in NYC when Forbidden Planet was still a cool store and had good Japanese toys. I basically beat the crap out of it as a kid. It was a more fragile toy than the Nomura version, which was sent to me a few year prior, and the toy definitely showed its wear and tear.

I was looking at the one I purchased as an adult this weekend. The features are basically the same as the Big Scale Yamato, but smaller scale. I never relly liked the swivelling cannons as the would swivel in opposite directions. The new pop out sides never really made sense to me either. The color scheme was off, as it was basically silver and red, as opposed to blue-grey and red. And no Black tigers or Cosmo-Zero.

I liked the wave motion gun firing mechanism though. That was something missing from the Nomura version.... The sculpt was more Yamato like than its Nomura predecessor, but the plastic was less forgiving and the little side cannons proke off pretty quickly. My old Nomura Yamato, while some paint came off during play, NEVER BROKE!!!!!

Although the majority of the hull, except for the pop out part and front was metal, it is not all that hefty. I guess the scale is roughly 1/850? Not entirely confident of that number.

The new one I have now rests in its box, stuffed in a closet in a spare bedroom. Although it is not played with, its kin rests proudly on a shelf in my place in NY, battered from years of play, next to other well-loved toys from my childhood.

Cohiba Pyramides 2000

cohiba — 2006-08-28T15:33:34+09:00

Up to now I have been primarily reviewing toys or restaurants, and sometimes wines. I haven't really been writing diary type entries either, only when it pertains to a restaurant I write about or some toy I just acquired (but for anyone who reads this (ANYONE..ANYONE...) they know that my entries are clearly not chronological). However, work is quiet right now, as my machine is doing some complex calculations, and all have to do is wait.

So over the weekend there was a barbeque at a friend's place. He lives in Hiroo and has one of those fat ex-pat pads (I guess similar to my place). I live in a slightly better area, he lives in a slightly worse area but has a slightly bigger place.

Anyway he needed some gents to come over and fill out the party. As I am always happy to oblige my friends, I cabbed over for a bit. What went on is a tale for another day (and probably why I don't write a diary type blog-- would be too controversial).

However, as part of the afternoon's activities, I decided I would bring one of my favorite cigars and unfortuantely one of my last (finally opened the last box)- the 2000 limited edition Cohiba Pyramides. This is an awesome cigar by any standard. The 2000 is the first year Cohiba decided to make a pyramide (torpedo style cigar) and the label is the millenium ring that was prevalent back then. The boxes are actually porcelain jars.

The smoke is rather spicy as expected from Cohiba, but is still smooth and velvety. It has aged well in the past 6 years and is fragrant. It smells the way only a Cohiba can smell and I really have no other words for it than awesome. I've always loved the Cohiba and the Pyramide does not disappoint. If you happen to come across this fine cigar, definitely get it.

Legato

cohiba — 2006-08-28T11:07:03+09:00

Legato, a sister restaurant to Tableaux (sans Eddie) in Shibuya. On the 15th floor of a building next to the tail end of Mark City, a spot that is not necessarily "Shibuya-poi" The decor shares color similarity to Tableaux, but Legato is definitely more casual. The staff is attentive (and still remember me, even though I only go about once every other month) and helpful.

Legato has distinction in that it is awarded wine list recognition from Wine Spectator. This is surprising to me as I know of many more restaurants with better wine lists. I actually find the Legato list to be quite small. There are some interesting wines on it, but as a whole quite oridnary. I find it hard to choose from.

The food last time I went was disappointing. Not bad in any way, but not memorable. Tablueax is the better of the 2 restaurants, without a doubt. The carbonara was OK, but small. The white truffles on top were an interesting touch though. The pork was disappointing. Tender, as one would expect from Japanese presentations of pork (I can't stand pork chops int he US, its like eating a brick), but small and not on the bone. Citabria and Lauburu have much better pork chops, as does Tableaux....

The bar is the winner though. An oval shaped bar so partons can sit on either side, and with a view of Shibuya from 15 floors up. Nice place to bring a date for a drink. Should impress.

Not too popular at the moment as it was no wait to get a table without a ressie.

Final analysis: go to the bar, not necessarily the restaurant. If you want to eat then go to Tableaux, which has a similar menu but the food and wine list are better.

Studio Half-eye Godannar

cohiba — 2006-08-25T12:46:11+09:00

What an amazing feat of engineering. Absolutely no add-on parts and the sucker changes color from blue to red, and as the little girl robot pop into the chest area as well. Wow!

I like this version better than the Max Factory one because of the transformation gimmick and the good poseability. The Max version does have heft to it though. The price tag on the SHE version is probably daunting for the average collector, but if you admire toy engineering then you ahve to get this piece.
I am still looking for a good deal on the SHE Gunbuster.... but since the Chogo version is coming out, I am much more relaxed about getting the SHE one.

One day I will post a side by side shot of the 2 Godannars.

Hound Tank wind-up

cohiba — 2006-08-25T12:28:45+09:00

I am frightfully bored at work today. It is one of those days where you are just waiting for stuff to finish. hooray the weekend starts in 5 hours (12 noon now).

One of the best Gatchamn toys ever is the wind up Hound tank popinica. vehicle. Why didn't Popy make more tanks like this (Shigkon tank would be a good candidate)? The thing has missile that shoot from the cockpit area and the thing also shoots the plastic balls when you open up the "hood"/front of the tank. But the best thing is taht it is a wind up toy and the cockpit spins around as the tank moves forward. What a great gimmick. The regular one that is not in the black box is the poor man's version... Man, I loved this toy when I was a child and was really bummed when it ultimately broke. I got another one a while ago, but did not really mess around with it until now. Just seeing the thing move on the floor brought back memories of childhood. One day I am going to have to open up everything and have a little robot war in the living room....

The second best Gatchaman toy is the Condor car thingie... The worst is the popy GodPhoenix. Even Pimer with its pansy-ass teaset is a better toy than the original GodPhoenix...

BattleHawk

cohiba — 2006-08-23T12:29:47+09:00

From Gerry Anderson's Terrahawks, the main battleship. Another toy that is lost in the annals of time. A toy from the Golden Era of Popy/Bandai, but made for the European market, this is a solid diecast toy with a decent number of features. The Terrahawk is detachable, and the Battletank is also included. No missiles though (rats). The front opens up for no apparent reason (maybe a missile firing mechanism was supposed to be inserted?). The Battletank deck is spring loaded (but this is not mentioned anywhere in the instructions). The button is concealed so you have to jiggle the toy awhile to figure out what to do. It is definitely a well-crafted toy.

I like the design of a lot of Anderson's stuff, so it is nice to get a toy rendition of the Battlehawk. Some day I will post a pic.

Toy reorganization

cohiba — 2006-08-23T00:31:57+09:00

My toy area is getting cramped again, so I am in the process of sorting out what to send to my place in NYC. During this process I realized that I have too much stuff to keep track of in my head. So I am now keeping a log and maintaining a computer database. It is also giving me a chance to revisit some toys I haven't looked at in a long time or actually out of the box for the first time. But that is besides the point.

Today I Want to write a quick review of an oft neglected toy. The Nomura Baldios DX. The toy is not great in terms of design, but has a decent gattai gimmick. And it has a lot of missile shooters! This is a to to be played with! The toy design itself is not inspired, but I like the way it combines. The tank and ship that turn into the feet are ugly but have a unique transformation. The rocket punches are waaay overpowered, so there is a chnace the plastic will break, but I had fun taking this toy out of the box. It is still pretty cheap on yahoo japan. Get this sucker!

Also if you can guess the most expensive thing in the photo, I'll buy you a beer.

Citabria

cohiba — 2006-08-23T00:18:03+09:00

Went to Citabria last night (turned into quite a bender, but that is another story). I have been going to Citabria since it first opened 6 years ago. The service is always good, the food is at worst above average, and at best awesome. It was the first time I went to the restaurant since the new menu, so it was difficult to decide what to eat. I ultimately had the grilled tuna (rare) as an appetizer and the steak for the main. The tuna was quite good. It came in an outstanding sauce. The steak was prepared like a salad, and while good, was a small portion (probably led to the druken stuopr at the bar afterwards). The menu has defnitely taken a slight French turn, but the pork chop, a perennial favorite is still on the menu. I highly recommend the pork chop! One of the finest in Tokyo. We paired the meal with the MArston Family Cab 2002 and the Cakebread Cab 2001. Both were pretty good. They have the Clos DU Val SLD 2001 on the list too!

Citabria is located in a cranny in Aoyama and is a favorite of gaijin for broker dinners and for dudes who want to impress their dates. The atmospehere is quite cosmopolitan and not too dark (like Il Mulino-BRRR!). They have a chef's table in the basement which is quite nice as well. The interior definitely has a wood motif with sleek tables, dark wood flooring and walls. Go there for a date to impress or a company function.

Also the new hostess working the door is quite cute! If you go, let me know if you think so too! If you see her you'll know which one I am talking about.

Luxor

cohiba — 2006-08-18T16:10:45+09:00

Ah, another restuarant that I have been frequenting a lot. but finally decided to write about. Luxor is in Shiroganedai. It is an Italian restaurant, more Southern than Northern.

Went there again last night, but unfortuantely Mario (the owner/chef) didn't get back from his vacation in Italy yet. The food definitely takes a hit when heis out of the kitchen. When Mario is there he makes something special, not on the menu, and is usually outstanding, but alas, t'was not meant to be last night.

The wines were good, Calera Chard and Tignanello 2001. Both excellent. Third bottle was also good- Ligivo, I think. I did not order it, but it was very good.

The caprese is always a safe bet, at most restaurants, so long as the mozzarella is made at the restaurant. I like my mozzarella in bigger cuts, but I guess at Luxor, it would have been a visual imbalance.

The ravioli with king crab was OK, nothing memorble though.

The steak was small. I was sad :(. The bill was big at 23,000 a head. I was sad :(

Go to Luxor when you know Mario is around. It makes the experience infinitely better.

The food when Mario is there is some of the best Italian in Tokyo and when he is away, it is good, but not great.

MG Gundam models

cohiba — 2006-08-15T14:33:55+09:00

I really like the MG Gundam kits. I think I have built at least 40 of them. Let's see if I can recall which ones I have done (in no particular order):

1.Gundam
Gundman Ver 1.5
Gundam Mk II (dark blue version)
Z Gundam
5.ZZ Gundam
ZZ Gundam Full armor
PErfect Gundam
GM
Zaku
10.Char Zaku
Johhny Ryden Zaku II
Matsunaga Zaku II
Gyan
Z'gok
15.Agguy
Zeong
Perfect Zeong
Rick Dom
Z Gundam II (orange)
20.Z Gundam II (grey)
Gouf
Char Gelgoog
Johnny Ryden Gelgoog
Nemo
25.GM II
ZZ Gundam Full aromor (grey)
Nuclear Gundam
the Gundam that fits into the dendromium
Gundam Alex
30.Gundam with box backpack
the gundam that doesn't fit into denbromium but looks like it
char's red bot from the movie (can't recall name now)
the gundam from gundam superior
some other GM variant that is dark blue
35. brown aqua robot with claws. can't remember name....
Hyper Zaku

That's all I can remember now, but I will have to check again

Anyway they are fun to build, and easy (no glue or real painting is involved) and it takes my mind away from work (like what I am doing now).

The 1/60 scale PG and Hybrid models are fun too but a lot more work....
I have the Doms and Gouf hybrids (as well as the 1/24 Gundam) and the PG zaku, Gundam, MKII, Z and Wing Zero.

The review is for the Gyan. I have been waiting for this kit to be made for a along time. I have always liked the Gyan. It is one of the bots in Gundam that reminds me of a Western knight. His pointy head is really cool, although meaningless. His sheild is the best sheild EVER!. Missiles shoot out of it! How cool is that? The kit comes iwth some mucus that is supposed to look like the exhaust of some missiles. Neat! The sword has a light up gimmick, which is pretty neat as well.

As is typical of the newer MG kits, you build the endoskeleton and wrap the armor around it, so some of the robot can go al fresco. This construction adds to the sturdiness of the kit and the poseability.

The finished kit, as is usual for most MG kits, looks good, and is sturdy enough to be played with. Next to the Agguy it looks small though (the Agguy is an awesome kit). The Gyan also comes with a 1/20 scale figure of some dude (probably the pilot) which I did not bother building.

Adding the panel lines makes the kit look more "realistic" and is not a whole lot fo work.

All in all, get the kit. Lots of play value! You can head spear a Gundam!

Medicom RAH Evangelion

cohiba — 2006-08-15T14:01:58+09:00

It's been a while but I figured I would provide a quick overview of the Medicom Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Souryuu. I have to say they are the best renditions of the characters next to the refrence models I have. The face sculpt is very close and the the uniforms are spot on. The body likeness is a bit off, but the fact that they are poseable makes up for it. The body is kind of soft, which is weird for me. Maybe it iwas done that way for the perv population, I don't know.

A lot of the Evangelion figures are statues or are dolls that have been way off, so the RAH are a nice change.

I am not a doll collector, so I don't have many as a reference, but these were worth the coin as an Eva "fan". Not really an Eva fan either, but I liked the robots and the design of the characters. They are definitely the best production run toys I have seen of the characters. The other toys I have seen, the Microman versions and the Takara doll versions are not very good likenesses. I think I have the Volks 1/4 limited edition Rei somewhere, but I don't remember, I have to check my storage areas. Can't think of any other real "toys" of the characters. Maybe the ones that came with the comic book (roughly 1/12 scale?) Didn't pick those up either....

One day I will write a review of the reference models I have and how I got a hold of them. They are without a doubt the best renditions of the characters in 3D.

Sydney Trip -Tetsuya

cohiba — 2006-08-10T12:38:26+09:00

Got back from Syds on Tuesday. Went to a friend's wedding at the Opera House (which was nice) and did some sightseeing. In particular the zoo (Torunga) and the aquarium.

The zoo is actually pretty small, but very well designed. You take a short ferry ride to the zoo and then you take a cablecar to the top, then you wlak down the side of the hill and check out the animals. Unlike most zoos, where the animals appear to be aon a strict Valium diet, the animals at the Torunga zoo were all pretty lively. I liked the fact that the rhino was alking around, the lions were active and the echidna were all doing things. Even the giant turtle was eating and doing general turtle things (I think).

Of interest were the wombats (never seen a real one before) and the platypuses (platypii?), IF you go to Syds, check the zoo out on a nice day.

The aquarium was more mundane; a little small by Japan standards (check out the aquarium in Okinawa, holy crap!) but it did have a giant croc, which was very cool.

But on to the main event, which was a dinner at Tetsuya's. It is considered one of the top 5 restuarants in Asia, if not the world. And it did not diappoint. The food was excellent, but the service was only adequate. The dinner is long (in my case 4.5 hours) so if you go, go with GOOD friends. The dinner is prix fixe and is totally determined by Tetsuya. One thing that is always on the menu is his signature dish (awesome) of ocean trout. Very good, and probably not a dish that can be copied at many places. The meat is essentially raw, but is steamed at the same time. You have to eat it to understand.

The rest of the dishes were good, but not as memorable. The price is not bad (given Tokyo prices as a standard).

I'd say 5/5 for food, 3/5 for service.

Bullmark Robokress DX

cohiba — 2006-07-07T11:17:14+09:00

Definitely one of the lharder chogokins to find, the Robokress DX from Bullmark is a toy in the classic Bullmark chunk of metal, blocky thing vein.

It is a toy and was meant to be played with. I notice though that the body of the Robokress is the same as the body used for the standard Daibaron. The shoulders are different, and so is the head, but the body similarity is undeniable.

The gimmicks are the same as well, except for the head of the Robokress turning into the jet (just add a piece on).

Someday I will post pics.

Good luck with the hunt.

Feria

cohiba — 2006-07-07T11:10:23+09:00

The new Feria which has been open for a while, has just had a Grand Opening Party. Sucked! Royally sucked.

Shoot me now bad. The place itself is OK, with several floors and interesting decor, but too many foreigners already! Ick.

Will only go again in large groups with a lot of chicks in tow.

Black Daltanias!

cohiba — 2006-07-07T11:00:06+09:00

Finally a part of my collection. Took a while but it is here. Someday I will post pictures. Maybe next to my black Reideen.

So on to the review. The black paint, as with all the black chogokins is matte finish, so not shiny. Makes it look like someone just spraypainted it. If the toy did not have the gold accents or the black plastic it would be very easy to fake.

I won't go into the gimmicks etc. since all of you probably have a Daltanias already. The thing in combines form is most impressive in size. Just be careful when combning, as the paint come easily off. I guess you could use the Gundam markers to do quick touch-ups though.

Now on to getting more toys.....

good luck with the hunt!