Au Revoir

It was time to say goodbye to Balloon-kun. Actually, I untied the balloon and deflated it so I could take it as a souvenir.

I had a little time so I went out for a walk. I hadn't visited MOS Burger this trip so I stopped in. Time for tea.

This time I tried their veggie patty burger. Not bad.

But the real reason I stopped in was the onion rings. Oishii~!

Outside the weather did what it always does on my last day. Look beautiful.

I had time for more caffeine at my hotel. Free dark roast blend coffee anyone?

I didn't take photos on the train ride to Narita because I've done that before. I wasn't hungry so I just bought a few small things to eat at the 7-11 there. I should have bought more since the flight ran out of all selections for meals except one, long before they reached the back of the plane. And it was something that was really unappetizing to me. So I was left eating a hard roll and cheese, which I also didn't really want. If I ever fly Delta again, I'm bringing something more filling and edible. The panda cookies were good. The little pouch is something a friend gave me a while back, and I keep things in there for the flight, like a pen, ear plugs and lip balm. It's really helpful.

One last photo, of the carpet at Narita Airport. Since I have ones from the other side of the ocean. It's just a green textured carpet. I wonder if the design is to look like tatami mats?

Alice in an Old Castle in Ikebukuro

Earlier in my trip I had looked for a certain place, since Google maps didn't have a location for it. So now I was on my way back there. 

I didn't have far to go, because it was in Ikebukuro. Along with a few illuminations.

I had wanted to experience an Alice in Wonderland theme cafe for the longest time. Years in fact. Since the one in Ginza seems to be really popular, I was not sure about trying to go there. But since I discovered there was also one in Ikebukuro, I thought I would try it.

So there I was at the top of the stairs, about to go in. 

Down below, it was obvious I was in the right place. 

Since I arrived not long after the restaurant opened, I was warmly greeted and led down this long hall.

If this hallway looks familiar.

It's because this restaurant has been used for photo shoots in the past. Musician and fashion icon Mana has used it for photos for Moi-même-Moitié in Gothic Lolita Bible. In fact, that's how I found this place. Except it wasn't an Alice restaurant at that time.  

But now it definitely is. At the end of the hallway you are greeted by this card soldier. 

Who guards this ornate seating area. 

As for me, I was led to a booth in the room that I hoped I could see. Because that chandelier and the furnishings are absolutely splendid. 

It really is gorgeous. And while it may not seem like Wonderland, it is like the prior restaurant. Traces of the old Wizard of the Opera restaurant still linger. Like the decorated ceiling partially covered by the Alice themed medallion. 

This use to be a Phantom of the Opera themed restaurant. The long brick hallway is like a tunnel under the city of Paris. Masks still hang on the walls. When I was trying to find information about the the Wizard of Opera restaurant, I discovered it closed some time ago but was run by the same company that has the Alice in Wonderland restaurants in Japan. Since I still wanted to visit one, I was surprised to see one was in Ikebukuro. Looking at their photos of it, I was even more surprised to discover they were very similar to photos of Wizard of Opera. Some changes, but things like the chandelier and hallway are still there.

 So back to my visit, where now diners are served by Alice.

And the pretty menu is Alice in Fantasy Book. With a lot of delicious choices.

 I've always liked cranberry juice, so Drink Me with cranberry juice, blue curaçao and tonic water was a perfect choice. No shrinking occurred.

A little cup of corn soup with a rice cracker arrived. Eat Me was a extra, an otoshi, and very nice. And I did not grow larger either.

While most of the dishes are for two people, it was nice that they offered a couple portions for one person. The salmon mousse looked intriguing so I ordered it. Of course there was the Cheshire Cat grinning below this creatively filled glass. The salmon mousse was also very good.

Trying to choose a main course dish was difficult. I didn't want anything that would be too much to eat. I decided to be healthy and ordered Alice's Bagna Cauda with Tomato Sauce. It was messy but a really good choice. 

Since this was my unofficial early birthday dinner, it was time to spoil myself a little and have dessert. 

I picked this artfully arranged plate of chocolate and mint cakes. It was wonderfully delicious and just right.

At the end of my meal I was given a sachet of Alice in Wonderland tea. 

Thank you Mad Hatter-san for a lovely meal!

I have to say, this was wonderland in that it was a wonderful dining experience. I do recommend it for the decor, service and the food was good too. The website for this location is here http://www.alice-restaurant.com/kojo/

Return to Kamalpur

Because once wasn't enough, I went back to Kamalpur for lunch.

This time it was the medium curry, which was chicken that day. This was definitely hotter than the lentil curry. It was good and I did finish it. Not easy but I did. I'm still liking that dal lentil curry though. I do want to try the dry curry, if I get a chance to return.

 Spices! That is a nice way to store them, and use it as a display for customers also. If those are cardamon pods, they are really big.

The weather was nice so I took a few photos of the outside of the restaurant, in case anyone is reading this and wants to find it. Italian restaurant Kiba Kitchen Earl is also there. There isn't a sign like this with Kamalpur on it so you have to look for these ones.

The restaurant is right there at this corner. 

I think they were surprised a westerner showed up for lunch. They did remember me the second time. It is a little difficult to find. Even the writing outside is all in Japanese, with the name of the place written in katakana above the door.

Walking back to Kiba Station, I paused to admire the autumnal sakura trees. I hope I can see them again.

When I was passing through Ikebukuro Station, there were people giving away drinks. I think they were selling products from 越生町, Ogose, which is out in Saitama. This yuzu juice beverage was really delicious!

Sakura in Winter

The best illumination that I experienced on my December trip to Tokyo isn't mentioned on illumination list websites. In fact, not many people were there enjoying it. I had seen it briefly during the train ride from Narita to Ikebukuro. So I decided to go to 五反田駅,the Gotanda train station and see if there was anything really there. 

After a few turns and a little walk, I reached 目黒川,the Meguro River. A section of the most direct way was closed so I ended up further down river at 大崎光の滝公園, Osakihikarunotaki Park. Which was just the start of these pink lit trees.

The sakura trees along the Meguro River were dressed in sparkling pink lights, mimicking the beautiful flowers that appear in spring.

Please excuse my not great photos, but I really want to share how lovely this all was. 

A few businesses also had holiday lights, adding to the magic. In a way my not so in focus photos do share the mystical feeling that was there.

On and on the illuminated trees went. The reflections in the river added to the beauty. 

And when the trees draped over to form a tunnel, I couldn't help but feel this how romantic it was. Almost like a fairy tale.

I was really surprised there weren't more people enjoying this. A few couples but mostly locals walking home from wherever they had been. 

 It was like walking in a dream. Sakura in winter.

Not the best photo but these blue lights under the pine trees gave a very cool and mysterious feeling to this part of the walk. I had to walk over there. 

As much as I like blue, these pink trees were a wonderful experience.  

It was a long cold walk, but it was worth it. A wonderful experience. And it made me look forward to sakura in the spring even more.