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/
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