Swallowtail Butler Cafe

Since I’m in Japan, of course I must visit the only butler cafe in Japan, and most probably in the world, Swallowtail Butler Cafe. It’s not easy to secure a reservation since tables are snapped up fast. Yes, this restaurant is that popular. And we managed to get a table! And time to get ready to enjoy the royal treatment.

The experience at Swallowtail Butler Cafe is simply out of this world. I feel like a royalty when dining here.

The service is top notch, with the service staff aka the butlers overseeing everything and attending to everything. Carrying the bags? They will handle it. Pouring tea? They will handle it. The cafe has that lovely English royal charm in the service crew’s etiquette and the interior of the restaurant.

On top of these, there is an air of mystique that makes the experience feel so exclusive. And the food here is delicious. This cafe is a definite must-visit.

Plush sofas with florid patterns on dark green background, heavy velvet dark red curtains layered with translucent curtains, wooden doors with ornate glass panels, lots of blue roses, large English porcelain vases, beautiful huge chandeliers, English teapot sets and wine glasses display, accessories adorned with pearls, motifs of rose and butterfly, the cafe is so meticulously set up to be a ultimate dining hall of the dreams. It is such a treat to immerse myself in this atmosphere.

Picture from Swallowtail’s Official Website: https://www.butlers-cafe.jp/

The items featured in the high tea menu aka Anna Marie are delicious and unique. I’m so impressed. Best high tea on the basis of the food? Yes! Best high tea on the basis of service? Without a doubt!

Marinated Scallops and Mushrooms impresses me with its tastiness. The briny sweetness of scallops works so well together with the earthy taste of mushrooms.

Prosciutto and Mashed Potato Bruschetta surprises me by how good it tastes. Prosciutto ham has a lace of nutty aroma, soft taste profile with light taste of meat, going perfectly with the mashed potato and crunchiness of the bruschetta.

Salmon Shrimp Terrine is surprisingly good since I usually don’t think good of Salmon dishes due to the strong taste. The salmon is quite mellow in taste, tempered by the briny sweetness of shrimp, which actually works wonders.

Scorns here are softer, more moist, more buttery than usual scones. I totally love them. Especially Earl Grey scone, which carries the light floral spicy aroma that makes the scone taste even better. Sweet Potato one is nice too. There are unique creams to go with scones, like chestnut cream cheese that I opt for. It’s so good, exploring a different taste profile. I also go for the classic clotted cream since I miss this cream so much.

Picture from Swallowtail’s Official Website: https://www.butlers-cafe.jp/

Sangria Jelly is soft and very refreshing, with a slight hint of alcohol. Nice! Perfect to have after the buttery rich scone

Since chocolate and blackcurrant are heavier in taste on their own, I’m pleasantly surprised by how light and well-balanced Chocolate Blackcurrant Mousse.

Parmesan and Basil Sable that tastes so unique and awesome, full of savoury goodness and pungency of herbs. Goes perfectly with the Rosé wine.

T2 sherbet is made right on spot by pouring in liquid nitrogen to freeze the fresh Kogyoku Apple Juice to make sorbet. Lots of mist flows out of the mixing bowl, drawing the “wow” from us. It is a treat for the eyes and the mouth since the apple sherbet is natural and delicious.

Thoughts: Amazing Experience

Japan, 〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 3 Chome−12−12 正和ビル B1F

Shops and Streets of Ikkeburo

Ikkeburo is like a world of anime, fantasy and all things cute and quirky.

鳥升 流石屋 - Surprisingly Good

After a long day outside exploring Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku, we are exhausted and decide to have our dinner somewhere near our hotel. But numerous choices of Izakayas actually makes it hard to choose. Then a young restaurant staff approaches us and recommends his restaurant, 鳥升 流石屋. Since we are at loss on where to eat, we follow him to his restaurant and secure the one last available private room.

Turns out that this Izakaya is one good surprise find. Located in a somewhat dingy place, this restaurant is of classic Izakaya set up with wooden furnishings, offering a variety of traditional Japanese Izakaya food options, such as yakitori, fried rice, salad, sashimi and, of course, beer. It definitely has the Izakaya vibe and the food here is hearty and delicious.

Service is kind of “not there” as compared to other Japanese restaurants.

Yakitori of Chicken Thigh and Tsukune (minced Chicken Meat) are both juicy, tender and well-seasoned. And brushed with yakitori sauce, we have delightful, flavourful treats to indulge. Highly recommend.

But Chicken Thigh and Tsukune can only be ordered through the “Assorted Yakitori” option, and so yakitori made with various chicken parts (not meat definitely) is also served. After a bite of other three kinds of yakitori, we ditch them because we are not used to that kind of texture and taste.

Luckily, Negima, which is chicken thigh with leek yakitori, can be ordered on its own. So one can choose this yakitori option if not wanting to get the assorted yakitori. Lightly seasoned with sea salt and lemon, the juicy meat tastes so delicious when paired with leek.

Compulsory Otoshi, in the form of pickled burdock root, is refreshing, crunchy, mildly sweet and slightly tangy, is thus great for whetting the appetite. Though note that this is chargeable.

We also get served with one of the most delicious fried rice. It is perfectly fried to retain the moisture, fluffy and starchy texture of the rice and coat each grain with oil, flavour and an iota of aroma of char. Best of all, pepper is mixed in for an extra oomph. I’m really impressed by how good the fried rice is. A must-order.

The salad is surprisingly very tasty, featuring fresh, crunchy vegetables soaked with tangy, earthy sesame sauce.

Thoughts: Dingy but Surprisingly Nice Izakaya

Japan, 〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2 Chome−2−15 テイトビル 6階

Tokyo Tarte Corne Fleuri

It is such a joy to walk around Daimaru and look at all the various delicious-looking, pretty sweets on sale. And one counter, Tokyo Tarte Corne Fleuri, makes me stop in my tracks immediately because the sweets on display look so pretty and delicate. As I stare at the pretty pink chocolate roses perching one top of wafer cones and tart pastries, I know I have to buy them, no matter the taste.

Surprisingly, it tastes good. The chocolate is soft and creamy with different flavours, contrasting nicely with the super crispy cone. This makes the perfect gift.

Thoughts: Beautiful Creations that taste pretty Good

1 Chome-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-6701, Japan

Monjayaki Chico - Yaki Awesomeness

I’m excited to try Monjayaki since I have never tried it before, and Chico looks like a good place to try it. And yes, the Monja here is so good. And so is the hamburger steak.

The place feels like an Izakaya, where the mood is cosy and casual, great for chilling out while enjoying some freshly cooked food.

The service here is friendly and great. The best part is that they will. cook the food on the hot griddle right in front of us. And Aina, who is the friendly cook of the night for us, does an absolutely awesome job at cooking for us. The food is cooked to correct doneness, retaining the juices while featuring the sweetness of lightly charred vegetables and meat.

Lots of goodies in preparation for making of Monjayaki

The Monjayaki, consisting of vegetables, shrimps and starched broth, is light on palates yet super tasty, being full of subtle flavours, completed with the goodness of charred vegetables. I’m officially a fan of Monjayaki after a dinner here!

Hamburger steak surprises me by how good it is. This is on a totally different level from the usual hamburger. It is way, way better because it is so juicy and packed with meaty flavours, tempered with the spiciness of pepper for excitement in the taste.

The yakisoba is packed with goodies, such as different types of vegetables, is nice and hearty.

Thoughts: One of a kind experience that must not be missed.

102 3 Chome-6-16 Azumabashi, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0001, Japan

Hanagoyomi - Great Start to my Gastronomic Journey in Japan

Reaching at Japan at around 9pm plus means that we (my sister and me) just need a quick dinner at any obvious choice and then retreat to our rooms to unpack, unwind and get ready for tomorrow.

So Hanagoyomi is the obvious choice since the restaurant is right beside the check-in counter of Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo. With a sense of adventure venturing into the unknown, we step into this elegant restaurant full of zen vibes.

And I am so pleasantly surprised by how good the food here is. The taste is light yet full of flavours, exactly how I like it. A nice dinner here makes me so hopeful of what’s to come during my food adventures in Japan. This is a very good start.

The service during dinner is so outstanding. She is so polite, professional and goes the extra mile to follow us to the lift to bid us farewell. I feel so pampered by this special gesture.

Claypot Rice with Seafood is a must-try. I love the contrast of textures between wok hei and starchy rice soaked with thickened broth and egg drop. This is full of light briny sweetness. First trying Japanese rice dish in this form and I love it.

The Tamago served is so jiggy and fluffy. The best part is that the taste is light yet full of subtle flavours. I'm so surprised by its taste that a seeningly simple tamago can actually taste different from all the ones I had in Singapore.

Good sashimi where the maguro has no hint of fishy smell, which is an indication that it is fresh.

Japanese Sake Cake is moist, light, fluffy with the light hint of bitter sweetness of sake. Lovely dessert.

And the morning buffet here is awesome, with good variety from shabu shabu, western style breakfast, Japanese traditional breakfast and various small dishes, like smoked duck, tamago, tempura prawn, etc.

I especially love pouring Grated Yam onto Japanese Koshihikari starchy rice, topped with a dab of Hanayogomi’s specialty shiso sauce and then wrapped in seaweed paper. The result is umami with different textures from the crispy seaweed, sticky and slippery grated yam to smooth fluffy rice.

The shabu shabu is great too since there is such a huge variety of fresh vegetables and mushrooms available for choosing. And some are not found anywhere in Singapore’s supermarkets. And the shabu shabu sauces provided are also unique and delicious.

This restaurant is definitely a must-visit if staying in the hotel or nearby.

Thoughts: Very Nice Restaurant with a very Good Spread for Breakfast Buffet

Japan, 〒103-0028 Tokyo, Chuo City, Yaesu, 1 Chome−3−22 15階