A dinner at Vanilla Dive is kind of like a magical journey. Like a “We’re going on an adventure, Charlie” sort of thing. It’s kind of weird, but pretty awesome, and the weirdness only makes it more awesome. I’ve only been here twice (the first time was over a year ago, and honestly I’ve forgotten […]
Read more "Vanilla Dive"Ryugetsu is one of the few Okinawan cuisine restaurants in the city, and since it’s so close to JR Utsunomiya Station, I’d put off going–until we had a work enkai (drinking party) there, and I was super happy. Actually, I was super happy through and through. It’d been a long time since I had proper […]
Read more "Ryugetsu: Okinawan Cuisine"Hananoki Plus has the plus (haha…) of being right next to JR Utsunomiya Station. Which is probably why it’s still open, because it’s really not all that good. (I know two people who say one of their other Hananoki chains up near Romantic Mura is their favorite out of all ramen in town, so apparently […]
Read more "Hananoki Plus: Underwhelming Ramen"Ichiriki offers some pretty tasty tonkotsu ramen, and like most ramen stores, you get quite a massive bowl of it. But wait! For just 10 cents more, you can turn that 150 grams of noodles into 300 grams of noodles! Actually, no! It won’t cost you a yenny to supersize your meal here–you have the […]
Read more "Ichiriki Ramen"For just about ￥1000-2000 (or more, if you really want to splurge), you can lunch in style with a view overlooking all of downtown Utsunomiya. Jyugoya (十五家） is located on the 15th floor of the Tochigi prefectural office building; while the floor is open to the public most days and nights, and you’re free to […]
Read more "Jyugoya: High-Rise Dining"This is one of the “Barisuta” chains (think Saru Bari, Hibari, Shikabari), etc., and again, it’s a pretty good choice if you’re looking for some Italian. I came here for lunch with a friend last year, and it was pretty good (very affordable and tasty pizza and pasta sets). Most recently I came here for […]
Read more "Bariton"I could not think of a more fitting name for Yakiniku Monster, a national chain which recently opened up a new branch in the center of Orion-Doori. The interior is cool and spacious, not in the least intimidating. But be prepared for what is in the belly of the beast. You can order individual cuts a […]
Read more "Yakiniku MONSTER"Saturday night and looking for places with live jazz? Free Flight is one of your options. The music started at 8:30 pm, and was not empty, but not too crowded–just right. Like many other jazz bars, one of the features of Free Flight is that the waiters/bartenders all wear essentially butler outfits, complete with a […]
Read more "Free Flight"Blue Agave just opened up in February 2017. It promotes itself as a Mexican/tequila restaurant/bar, but it really is more Hispanic than Mexican. Their menu offers a lot of staples familiar to any American (and maybe Mexican, but I won’t try and speak for you all)–tacos, guacamole, margaritas. And also some things that will probably […]
Read more "Blue Agave: Hispanic Food"It’s finally here–the famous Monkey Izakaya. It’s been featured on TV numerous times, and in too many blogs to count, such as La Carmina‘s. I was torn with going here–a bar with monkey waiters that also perform shows doesn’t sit well with me regarding animal welfare. This bar is also very hard to get to […]
Read more "Kayabuki: Monkey Izakaya"
eatsunomiya 