Archive for October, 2011

The legendary Beer Hall Heartland from 17 years ago is reborn with a brand new concept: A ‘Neighborhood Bar’ for people to gather, chat and hang out. It is not a place for drinking beers, but a hot spot for grown-ups to enjoy art and music together. Heartland provides excellent food, art, music and video, so that you can enjoy the original beer concept through-out.

Heartland is a standing bar on the first floor of Roppongi Hills. This artistic space welcomes people working in the same building, foreign company employees and IT technicians to enjoy all sorts of discussion.

For people over 30 and looking for a drink after work, this spot is really popular. Because of its international atmosphere, the customers here are mostly foreign guys and Japanese girls looking to meet foreigners. There are also some students who come here for a quick drink after parties. Heartland being the most famous standing bar in Roppongi is a great place to hang out for the weekdays as well as weekends.  
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The stylish green lighting is the symbol for this place. The entrance is straight into the open air, looking very welcoming. You can seat down briefly for your beer, there is no dress code for that., easy come, easy go. Most people stand inside with their drink in hands, engaged in some casual conversation. It serves as a third place between work and home, makes you want to stop by every day.

At Heartland, you can start by order one beer only, and the beer will be 100% wheat, 100% aromatic, not so bitter but real refreshing. It only cost one 500 Yen coin for a Heartland beer, no service charge needed.

Besides the reasonably priced Heartland beer, they also have seasonal cocktail, champagne and wine. Tell them your favorite fruit and color then they will provide you with your own original cocktail. Food here are mostly those you can eat with one hand.  From light snack to proper cuisine, there are many choices waiting for you.

To order here you will have to get used to the ‘cash on delivery’ style; to pay at the counter. After that, standing for a brief drink or sitting down at the table for a long chat is entirely up to you.  

It is not a club for dancing, nor is it a disco style bar. During the weekdays, it gets really busy till late,and on the weekends you can hardly find a place.There are famous DJs invited to support various events on every Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They play all sorts of music to bring up the atmosphere and to match with the environment in Heartland.There are also gallery on the wall for you to appreciate with your drink. The pictures inside are changed every 2 weeks or 1 month, to introduce as many as possible talented artists. It is a bar with the perfect mix of art and music.

Heartland
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Address
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-5772-7600      
http://www.kirin.co.jp (Available in English)
17:00pm-4:00am
 

 

The traditional methods of preparing the Japanese Udon Tsuru Tontan noodle have preserved carefully so that the freshness of the Japanese Udon Tsuru Tontan homemade noodles can be achieved always. At locations where the udon noodles are made, they are usually freshly cooked and there are lots of new menus that feature popular and classic udon dishes and other dishes which are seasonal and popular; such meals are usually available on limited periods. The taste of udon depends on the quality of flour, water and salt, together with the skills in making the noodles. The proportion of water and salt need to be adjusted according to the temprature, to be mixed well and beaten into the batter, then to be left until mature. After that the dough need to be stretched carefully, then cut into certain size. That is how the udon can be chewy and tasty. And Depending on your mood and the soup you are eating with, there are 2 different sizes of udon to be chosen from. The normal thick udon is chewy, which will sure bring pleasure to your mouth; while the thin ones pick up more soup, thus the flavoer might last longer.There have been some comments from different people who have tasted the udon noodles. Some of the comments were mostly positive; however there were some bit of negative comments as well.

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Tsuru Tontan provides huge noodles that are good in a classy setting but that the service is poor and the price is quite high. The noodles are typically too soft but the chewiness which the noodles lack is somehow recovered by the slippery texture and beautiful presentation of the superior broth. Another comment is that the though the sloppy service is often covered up by the relaxed atmosphere as you will not feel rushed, that is the special feature that keeps the restaurant packed with customers. It is usually a great place to relax at night or to wait for a train at the wee hours. The partitions between tables at the Tsuru Tontan give an atmosphere of quietness and privacy; even when the place is pack full with people.

The bowls are quite gigantic; large enough to probably fit in one’s face in, the wooden huge spoons also match the bowls perfectly. However there is no much difference between the Udon and any other kind of noodles. Some point out that the sketchy service that is received is probably due to the busy staff however it is not a good reputation for any business. You may often find a few English menus. There are usually seats available so that a waiting queue will not get uncomfortable. The meal is often being made right in front of you as you could often notice over the counter as the meal is being prepared. There is ground spaces sunk for your legs and there are shoe lockers as well. It is just an atmosphere that is comfortable and warm.

Tsuru Tontan
3-14-12 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-5786-2626
Lunch: 1,000-1,999yen
Dinner: 1,000-1,999yen

Feria Tokyo
There are too many clubs in Roppongi area. But the most eye-catching one around Roppongi crossing would be Feria Tokyo. It is of course the most popular club among foreigners in Tokyo.
Being in an individual building in this area is already a luxury, not to mention that they have a grand entrance, like those for the hotels. Every floor has a different atmosphere; for dining, dancing or enjoying relaxing music. There are 6 different rooms, each having a unique concept, on the in total 5 floors.
“Music Lounge” hall, with its 7 meters high ceiling, can hold 150 people. Besides lighting, this lounge is also known to have good lighting.
“Crystal Lounge” is a luxurious space, designed to hold nice parties for the grown-ups. It can even feel like a house party, with a gorgeous and spacious room, always welcoming the repeaters.
There floor that was renewed contains New Floor, Feria Studio. The stone walls gave a really tough impression, together with the chandelier it is favored by many New Yorkers.
Here, there is party every day, even for the weekdays. On Mondays and Tuesdays, there is happy hour and Wednesdays is free entrance for ladies. For the weekends you can guarantee the huge crowd enjoying house, hip-hop and any music you like,
Let’s go and check it out!

Address
Feria Bldg. 7-13-7 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
■Nogizaka Sta.
5 minutes walk from Exit 3,
Chiyoda-line Subway
■Roppongi Sta.
5 minutes walk from Exit 7, Exit 4A, Exit 4B,
Oedo-line, Hibiya-line Subway
03-5775-2949
http://lounge-feria.jp (Available in English)
7:00pm-5:00am; closed Sun
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Alife
Alife, located in Roppongi-Nishi Azabu area, has more than 3000 visitors every week. Having been here for more than 9 years, Alife holds many interesting parties; the 3 floors’ big space is its selling point. Here you can always find the music style you like, as well a nice drink or even a quick meal to go with it; the menu is filled up with wine from all over the world, even cigars from Cigar is at service.
From Basement to the second floor, you can enjoy this place as you wish. Basement is the main stage for the various events during weekends. Then the first floor is the homey Alife Café, there is a relaxing bar and darts area. Imagine you can always enjoy a drink on your own here while waiting for your partner. The second floor is the lounge space, with boxes for party with not so many people.
Every weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) and public holidays, there holds Discotheque Party Alife Tokyo, which takes up the entire club. During the party you will hear the latest hits, the all-time favorite, Hip-hop and R&B. Surely you can have a real pleasant party!
Let’s go and check it out!

Address
1-7-2 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-5785-2531      
http://www.e-alife.net (In Japanese)
Fri・Sat 9:00pm -Late; closed Sun-Thu
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