Ritz Carlton Tokyo Lobby Lounge (ザリッツカールトン東京ロビーラウンジー）

Ended up having lunch at the lobby lounge of the Ritz Carlton. Today was a great day to be 45 stories above Tokyo - the skies were as clear as they get!
The US Embassy housing compound is in the middle, along with other notable buildings like Ark Mori Hills. You can see clear to Chiba if you look closely.
It was so clear today that you could see past Haneda, all the way to the far side of Tokyo Bay - Chiba - and past. We could see Yokohama. You have to go into the restaurant "45" to see that side of the view though. Of course, Fuji was super clear, except for some clouds near the summit.
I didn't have time to snap a lot of pictures today, but I had the Linguine Carbonara (3000 yen) and it was the best carbonara I've had in Japan. Very creamy, and real bacon (think McDonald's Canadian Bacon style thick chunks). Above, we ordered the fries or "fried potato" on the side. It's not on the menu, but you can definitely just order it and they'll make it. I have no idea how much this cost.

The lobby lounge is always great, especially for afternoon tea and quick meals. The view alone is worth the price!

Here's the Ritz's official page on the lounge
Here's a Japanese review of the Lobby Lounge

Address
9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo-to
〒107-6245 東京都 港区赤坂9-7-1 東京ミッドタウン
Click here for Google Maps

Phone: 03-3423-8000

Hours:
Weekdays: 08:00 - 24:30
Saturday: 08:00 - 24:30
Sunday & Holidays: 08:00 - 24:30

Continental Breakfast: 8am to 11am
Drink Service: 11:00～24:30
Afternoon Tea: 12:00～17:00

To The Herbs - Meguro - Pizza and Pasta

To The Herbs - MeguroFebruary 2007 2F Atore Meguro3-1-1 Kami-OsakiShinagawa-kuTel. 03-5437-6500Open: 11:00 - 23:00http://www.four-seeds.co.jp/brand/03_to_the_herbs/index.htmlBest Dish - Bruschetta (it is tiny but sensational to the taste buds)Cost - Pizza and pastas are priced between 1,000 and 2,000 yen.English Friendly - Yes, English menus and English speaking staff.Seats - lotsAtmosphere -

MBP @ Coffee's !

Rooma here's my entry for the MBP... sorry I am a bit late... I had made this dish when I first saw the event on your blog.... but I guess that's just me.... I make dishes, click snaps... then make drafts with the snaps and .... then.... well, they stay that way.......
So any way..... I checked out a few blogs, bookmarked a lot of recipes but finally settled on Pasta, and the recipe was from Priya
The only addition I made was adding onion to the dish (but in a small quantity)
So without further ado, here is my contribution :

• Penne Pasta - 1/2 pound
• Ripe Roma Tomatoes - 1 cup, finely chopped ( Or 10 oz crushed tomatoes - canned )
• Tomato paste - 1 tbsp
• Garlic - 2 cloves, medium size, finely chopped
• Red chili flakes - 1/2 to 1 tsp
• Dried Oregano - 1/2 tsp
• Fresh Parsley - 1 tbsp, finely chopped
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  
• Olive Oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese

Method

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta al dente according to package instructions.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a deep skillet or pot. Add chopped garlic and saute` until fragrant.
Next add red chili flakes, dried oregano and chili flakes, saute` for 5 to 10 seconds and then add onion, crushed/chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, salt to taste and mix well.
Simmer over low-medium heat for about 5 to 8 minutes or until the tomato sauce has reduced a little bit.
Add cooked pasta, chopped parsley and toss until mixed well.
Serve hot with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Lesson Learnt : I did not have Roma Tomatoes, so I substituted with the normal onesand therefore used less than the prescribed amount .... Will use more tomatoes next time..... and get Roma ones.

VERDICT: This pasta tastes wonderful! The chili flakes give it a zing and Indians who like pasta (with a 'bit' of extra spice) will love it! A wonderful one dish meal... and you may be sure that this will make it's appearance frequently at the dinner table!!!!