Venus Fort, Shopping, Food and Cars!

Going back to December 2010 in Tokyo and I decided to visit Odabai Island and Venus Fort. So what is Venus Fort? 

Well, it's a place with lots of interesting stores. 

Stores for older people and for younger people. And the young at heart.

Along with interesting services. Like weddings. Yes, you can get married at Venus Fort. Actually wedding photos here would be very beautiful. 

The reason why is because of the architecture inside Venus Fort that replicates an Italian city. 

 

Complete with arches, statues and more.

Like this beautiful fountain. 

Reminds me so much of the Venetian in Los Vegas, right down to the day and night lighting.

There are vintage cars in the History Garage and people dressed up as characters

And the occasional Italian street.

 I was hungry since I didn't have breakfast.

 So I sat down at Cobara Hetta for a dish of pasta interpreted Japanese style.

 It was interesting with okra, salmon, mentaiko, nori and grated daikon. The soup and salad were very good too.

 The best part was the view from my table.

(this post was originally posted December 2010)

Dining at GRIP

I was even more hungry after my long walk through Zoshigaya Cemetery. Since the curry restaurant was closed, I had to find some place else to eat. I remembered there was an Italian restaurant on the Azuma roadway. Sure enough it was still there.

GRIP, a restaurant where they focus on local produce and more. The outdoors bistro seating was nice. It was another adventurous moment in dining, since they do not have English menus. I ordered iced tea and a seasonal pasta. Would I like it?

My pasta arrives. It looks good.

It was pasta in olive oil and chrysanthemum greens. Despite the bits of red chili, it was not spicy, but just right. 

Mixed in were bits of anchovies, which gave a nice saltiness and flavor to the dish. I enjoyed this filling dish. I'd go back to GRIP again.

A Birthday at Manmaru

It was tough. There are so many places I want to dine at in Tokyo. Yet it was March 27th, 2020, and worries about the virus made me think twice about that. It's why I didn't go back to Vampire Cafe and a few other places. Or try new restaurants. At least I didn't have to travel far to one of my favorites, and it is a very small restaurant with good ventilation. Has to have that because of the charcoal grills.

Yes I was back at Manmaru, with Pick Happiness sake again.

That perfect pour. I really need my own sake cup set.

Beatles' music playing and an older couple next to me celebrating one of their birthdays. He gave her a lovely watch locket that was a lot like one I have, and she gave him a beautiful blue tea bowl. So sweet!

I had not stopped thinking about that tomato.

So yes, I did get it again. And it was wonderful tasting once again. Ripe, sweet and thin skinned. A tomato grown to be eaten like this.

Of course there was grill unagi. I'm finally getting really good photos of it!

My unagi don. The miso soup is also very good at Manmaru

The celebrating couple ordered this lovely little block of cold tofu. I could not resist asking for one myself. Creamy, salty and a little sour topping with heat from the wasabi. So good.

That cup of hot tea. And my left over rice. What shall I do?

Into the bowl the tea goes. I am learning. This was the end of another "pushuu~" meal.

One last moment from Manmaru. The Beatles "Birthday" started to play. I did my best to tell the birthday couple that this song was on. They were so happy! I wished the man "Happy Birthday!" and both of them were very nice and also waved good bye as I left. It was a wonderful moment that I got to share in their birthday fun. 

Back at the hotel I enjoyed a little Kit Kat, thanks to the local 7-Eleven. It's nice not having to buy a big bag.

And a couple photos of the monaka that I got at Rikugien.

Sweet and crisp, they were like little rice macarons. Really nice treats!

Return to the Sakura of Hirai

March 25th found me headed through Ikebukuro Station.

Where even the plush animals were wearing face masks.

I had been thinking about where to see sakura in an uncrowded place. First however, there was lunch in a familiar place. 

Comfort food time. MOS Burger shrimp sandwich. That lemony tenderness was just as good as I remembered it.

And the onion rings! I will keep saying that MOS Burger makes really good onion rings. Crisp outside, warm and delicious onion inside. 

So where was I? On a sidewalk distracted by this fun skeleton signage.

I was back in 平井, Hirai.

Where I was last year. Headed to 旧中川, the Kyunaka River. 

With it's wonderful view of Tokyo Skytree tower.

While there were less people there than in some other sakura viewing locations, there were groups and families there.

Still, the views of sakura were wonderful.

And there was enough space to safely enjoy the beautiful trees.

So the rest of this post will be just photos of the lovely views of sakura.