Ginza Tsubame Grill 銀座つばめグリル review

For those who follow my daily blog, you must be anticipating my blog post about this place, and I am FINALLY writing about it!

restaurant logo

Tsubame Grill opened in 1930, which means they have been in business for 89 years!... that's a very long time! (especially in Tokyo where the lifecycle of a restaurant is usually 5 years).

The inside of the restaurant leaves a Showa ambience, but it is new and very clean. Their wet wipes were very thick and the cutlery was very sturdy. There is usually a wait during lunchtime, but I came after lunchtime, so it was fairly empty.  (btw... they have several locations around Tokyo).

I ordered their seasonal special, which was approximately ¥1400 (this is the lunch set... you can get a cheaper option, the only difference is there is no salad). It was very bold for me since I have not found a single Hamburg place I like... in fact... I don't like Hamburg... it doesn't have the same meat texture as steak... however, this place changed my mind.

The Tomato salad came... I certainly wasn't expecting this... a whole tomato! There was a pile of chicken salad at the bottom. It was tasty... did I mention I don't like tomatoes? And I liked this O.O

The next item was the baguette, the bread.

This bread deserves 2 pictures because it tasted so good!! I am a fan of bread... and the last time I had something so tasty was when I was in Macau... (but that was a Portuguese type of bread). This bread was REALLY good!! ...It was crispy, fresh, and... just tasted so good! 

This is the seasonal veggies with hamburg steak. It came with a soy-based sauce with mustard. This hamburg steak was very tasty... the meat was tender and was marinated with a bit of salt so that you can taste the freshness of the meat. It was grilled so that it wasn't overcooked or undercooked. Just right!

The seasonal veggies were done very well... just enough seasoning to make them tasty but did not steak away from the tastiness and freshness of the veggies. The potatoes were fried very well, crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. 

I had to do a close up of the eggplant... it was really good :P

My conclusion is, if things are made right... everything can taste good... included by lifelong hated tomato and hamburg steak. I will be back for more!

Ginza's Tsubame Grill
銀座のつばめグリル

score: 9.5/10
website: https://www.tsubame-grill.co.jp/

Canada Dry Peach Ginger Ale review

Is this Japan or does this Peach Ginger Ale exist in other parts of the world (e.g. Canada)?

A few months ago, I got to try White Grape Ginger Ale in a Karaoke in Tokyo (Rainbow Karaoke) and loved it... it reminded me of a light sweet sparkling wine.

When I saw this Peach Ginger Ale I knew I had to try it! (if you haven't already noticed, I love peach flavoured things).

Currently, it is right in the middle of Peach season in Japan... I figured Canada Dry added this to be part of the seasonal peach hype.

First off, I love it! It combines two of my favourite tastes into one! Although, I have to admit the Peach flavour is slightly stronger than the ginger ale taste.

impressions:

• I taste peach!! 
• this is very fizzy
• contains 2% juice (according to label)
• contains Vitamin C
• great on its own (I wouldn't pair it with food)

The peach taste is slightly strong and leaves a nice peachy aftertaste. The ginger ale makes the peachy taste slightly less sweet than other peach drinks.

I highly recommend it (if you like peach flavoured drinks). I wouldn't recommend drinking it in a meal, (since it isn't very sweet) it will lose its taste among the other food flavours.

score: 9/10
website: none

hey my fellow foodies, explorers, adventurists...

I'm feeling a little stressed lately and don't have the energy to write reviews :(...

Would appreciate prayers...

Please head over to my other blog to see what's happening... I try to post daily there.

Japan 7-Eleven's サクッとした食感ひとくちソースカツreview

The long name サクッとした食感ひとくちソースカツ can be translated as "A savoury texture sauce cutlet.

One of the reasons why this snack caught my attention was that it is always sold out (or there will always be a miserable one left) so when I had the chance, I bought it. I can't say I regret buying it... but it is definitely not "a great find".

impressions:

• salty
• dry
• is this meat or fake meat???

so... I'm not sure why this snack is so popular. Is it because it is nostalgic? or do people actually enjoy it?... whatever the reason may be... it wasn't enough to convince me. 

It was hard to tell whether there was real meat inside (it had a weird porky, fishy taste to it).

A quick scan of the ingredients told me that there was SOME fish but it was buried in the middle of the ingredients list which meant there was hardly any. The major ingredient of this snack was flour.

score: 6.5/10
website: https://7premium.jp/product/search/detail?id=4859

Kyoto Malebranche - Matcha Chocolate (not a review)

THIS. IS. SERIOUSLY. THE. BEST. MATCHA. CHOCOLATE. I. HAVE. EVER. HAD. PERIOD.

if you ever go to Kyoko... please remember to buy this...

I tried to document as much as possible

when you take the rubber bands off these are the shape they are in

everything looks so pretty :D

more info :)

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

score: matcha/10!

website: http://www.malebranche.co.jp.e.aby.hp.transer.com/products/yakigashi/chanoka/

Dior Gold Clip on Earrings short review

the earrings

These are my first "high end" designer earrings!! I was really excited when I saw these earrings! I'm usually not a fan of designer jewellery because they usually look too mature for me (I do have Tiffany Clip-ons and Lanvin jewelry but Dior, Chanel, Hermes, LV <-- I feel these are more suitable for a mature audience)

they are clip-ons!

impressions:

• they do not pinch me
• they do not fall
• the clips do not change over time
• love the design
• looks effortless but elegant enough to match any formal/casual wear <-- very versatile

These earrings were love at first sight and I do not regret buying them. They are so versatile. I can wear them with any outfit and they will make the outfit look nice.

I am impressed! :)

score: fantastic/10
website: no website (couldn't find the actual product on the website)

Family Mart's hot sausages review

I picked these up at my local Family Mart and loved them :P

It has been a LONG time since I have had good Hot sausages. For those who live in Japan, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Most "hot sausages" here lack the sausage meat flavour, and a lot of them can't even be considered as "hot".

I was a bit skeptical when I found them, but was glad I did.

If you are an expat who is dying to get a decent tasting hot sausage. I would recommend getting these to satisfy that craving.

score: 8/10
website: http://www.family.co.jp/campaign.html?q=%7B%22C%5DcampaignCategory%22%3A%5B%223%22%5D%7D