Brasserie Va-tout, Tokyo 09-2008

This French brasserie in the expensive gaijin territory of Roppongi lured me in with its lunch set menu. It is the first time I've ever eaten beef heart and the meat was unique and endearing with a distinct flavour. I've never looked back since then and cooked my own beef heart steak, eaten the hearts of a turtle, lamb, pig, chicken (makes me sound quite the killer) and of course beef in corazon skewers.

It was the prelude to watching Hawthorn football club win the 2008 premiership. Yes!

Tairyou, Tokyo 04-2008

The first place I'd been in Japan that served whale (at least that was translated onto the English part of the menu). Strongly flavoured, not that memorable. I think I'd have to try it again to know but probably isn't really worth it (and the controversy...)

Gyukaku, Tokyo 04-2008

This Japanese grill yakiniku was so good that I went two nights in a row. That and I'd run out of specific Japanese food options I particularly wanted to try in Shinjuku east (I'd basically already had a ramen, an udon, a kaitenzushi, a sushi bar, tempura and then the grill).

There are lots of types of meats with focus on beef kalbiwith various marbling grades. All in all an excellent dirty dining experience.

Tempura Tsunahachi, Tokyo 04-2008 & 09-2008

The tempura location most reputed for its set menus (of which the smallest one was always ample food but meant you didn't get to try some of the more unique dishes) was Tsunahachi. Nestled in Shinjuku east the fresh fried hot tempura was delicious. Of particular note was always the mash of curled prawns in a giant fritter toward the end. 

The second set of photos started off with some sashimi, then the procession of fried goodness.

My first visit was in January 2005 and I'll definitely be back again.