ー Memo ーContinuation of November 2021 UsageAfter visiting the "Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street" as part of a walk, I left and planned to enjoy some eel at an eel restaurant in the "Yomise-dori Shopping Street" while having a drink. However, after eating two fried dishes, my wife still didn't feel like having a meal. Well, that's understandable. So, to satisfy our hunger, we decided to walk towards Ueno Park from Kaneiji Temple and I started craving for a beer. I thought of a place where we could relax and enjoy a leisurely break, and I remembered a restaurant inside the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan that I have frequented and quite liked. It's a casual place where you can enjoy Seiyo-ken (Western-style food) and always feel safe to dine at. When we arrived, the place was full, but we were seated without much of a wait. I was relieved! I had a bottled beer, of course. I enjoyed a plate of fried dishes as a snack. I was tired from walking and my throat was dry, so I wanted some fizz. More sparkling wine, please! My wife enjoyed a lunch set with good value and also ordered a dessert set. Surprisingly, the lunch set was quite filling, and it seemed a bit tough for a woman to finish it all. To enjoy the dessert, it was necessary to leave some space in the stomach. I might have eaten quite a bit while saying I was just tasting it. Both the lunch set and the dessert were delicious, and my wife was happy to have enjoyed them. I wanted another drink, but restrained myself. Eel will have to wait for another time. However, I was satisfied as I could enjoy a beer, delicious food, and sweets here. My stomach and mood were fulfilled, so I was a contented man. With a satisfied stomach and mood, let's take a leisurely stroll in Ueno Park again!ー Dishes Consumed ーForestier Lunch Set 2,180 yen- Pumpkin Potage Soup- Seafood and Spinach Gratin- Pork Fillet with Woodland Mushrooms- Salad- Bread or Rice → Ordered BreadCrab Cream Croquette and Shrimp Fry 1,480 yenBeer (medium bottle 500ml) 780 yen- Sapporo- Asahi → Ordered SapporoCoffee and Chestnut Mont Blanc Set 880 yen- Drink is Coffee or Tea → Ordered Iced CoffeeSparkling White Wine (Glass Wine) 880 yenTotal Bill 6,200 yen

It's one of my favorite restaurants serving Western cuisine. I visited this place with my family after seeing Van Gogh's paintings, and it has been a favorite ever since. This time, we went after watching an opera, and I fell even more in love with it. Enjoying a meal while discussing the opera and still feeling the excitement makes the already delicious dishes even more special. The meals are carefully crafted to suit Japanese tastes, so I think anyone, regardless of age, would be pleased. It would be even better with family, creating more wonderful memories! The interior is lovely, making you feel like you're spending a special time there, and the staff are gentlemen-like in their service, making you feel very comfortable. As I write this, I realize that it may be one of the few remaining restaurants in Japan with a nostalgic atmosphere. The cozy atmosphere seems to come from there. (※Personal opinion.)

I visited the restaurant around 4 pm on Sunday and was seated easily. It seemed quite busy, maybe because an opera performance had just ended. The seating was spaced out nicely, so we could talk without feeling crowded. I ordered the hamburger, which was tender, and the side vegetables and bread were delicious.

I used to pass by this restaurant often but it was my first time going in. The atmosphere was solemn and had a traditional feel. There were many elderly customers. My son ordered a course meal, while I opted for a limited dish called "Chapsui." The service was like that of a hotel. The dish I ordered had a Chinese-style bouillon base, a recipe that has been around since before I was born. My son's course meal included a consomme soup with moist vegetables. The main dish was lobster from Ise. I took a bite and found it quite delicious. It was clear that customers come here seeking the classic and consistent flavors that this restaurant offers.

I visited this restaurant for a late lunch after visiting the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of Nature and Science. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, which is very convenient as it is right near the JR Ueno Park exit. I always stop by this restaurant whenever I visit the Western Art Museum/National Museum of Nature and Science/Tokyo National Museum/Ueno Zoo. On this day, I ordered the beef stew. The portion size was small, but it was packed with plenty of meat, so it was very satisfying. The beer was poured carefully, with fine bubbles and a smooth texture, making it very delicious. This restaurant is casual and easy to drop into, but the quality is high, so I never get tired of coming back.

On the way back from visiting the Mexican exhibition in Ueno over the weekend, we stumbled upon a lunch spot as it was around noon. There were about 10 people waiting in line, so we thought we might have to wait for quite a while... However, the pace of seating was relatively fast, and we were able to be seated in about 15 minutes. Surprisingly, the restaurant had a large number of seats, and there were even seats specifically for solo diners at the back. An elderly man dining alone seemed like a regular customer. I couldn't get the name "チャップスイ" (Chapsui) out of my head after seeing it while waiting in line, so I ended up ordering it (laughs). It seems to be a specialty menu item that has been around since the establishment of the restaurant. I was surprised by how quickly it was served, in about 3 minutes after ordering. (On the other hand, I had trouble waiting for the iced coffee that I ordered together with it). The appearance and taste are like a Western-style version of mixed vegetables. It has shrimp and quail eggs, which are Chinese, but it also has thick-cut bacon-like meat mixed in, and it seems to have used consomme or white wine, giving it a Western touch. The waitstaff dressed in black uniforms also contribute to giving the restaurant a high-class feel. The second floor is open with glass walls, creating a semi-open space, which may also contribute to the pleasant atmosphere.

I visited around 3 o'clock on a weekday and there was no line. I was surprised when I entered, it was spacious! There were only 2 servings left of the chef's special gratin, limited to 30 servings, so I ordered a half-size gratin and salad. The salad had a variety of leafy greens, broccoli, tomatoes, chicken, prosciutto, boiled egg, olives, and mozzarella, which was very satisfying. The gratin had slightly overcooked macaroni, but it was luxurious with plenty of scallops, squid, shrimp, and other seafood.

At a crossroads of civilization, an overseas business trip from Palermo, the capital of Sicily, to the Massimo Theater~♬ On a trip around Sicily, I was able to buy a last-minute ticket for "Cenerentola"! It was around here where Sofia Coppola (Mary) collapsed while climbing the grand staircase where two lions await. The dramatic scene from "The Godfather Part III" where Al Pacino (Michael Corleone) mourns came to mind, having watched the opera several times. Unlike Milan's La Scala, there are no direct flights from Japan to Palermo in Sicily where the Massimo Theater is located, but my fondness for it remains strong~♬ Last time it was "The Magic Flute" in the front row of the 1st floor, and this time it was row 8, seat 31, allowing me to enjoy sparkling wine in the foyer during intermission! I'm so happy~♬ Whether it's the tenor or the soprano, finally being able to sing on the world stage, the stage manager, conductor, orchestra, the backstage crew, the director who doesn't appear on stage, and the effects team, how pleased are you all! On this day, I arrived earlier in Ueno via Hibiya Midtown, thanks to my dad Reiche who was waiting in line on the stairs, I was able to be seated at a table after a 15-minute wait. How amazing! Even if you have to line up on the stairs, once your turn comes, the order is instantly sent to the kitchen! You can enjoy the first dish on the table within 5 minutes~ With 30 minutes, you can even enjoy dessert before the show starts! This time, I was guided to a table in the back for the first time, with a new view~ there was even a counter for solo diners! The smoked salmon salad (¥1580) had a cold salmon that felt like it had just come out of the freezer, lacking the 'sticky' texture unique to salmon but still enjoyable as a salad! The Chap Suey (¥1580), a Cantonese dish that became popular with American adaptations, was a long-time bestseller since the opening of Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in 1961, with a rich broth base full of vegetable umami! Far from the Chinese feel, it was served as a light seafood ankake rice in a Western plate~♬ A dish with no disappointment, easy on the stomach, the hamburger steak (¥1580) was my first time trying it and it had a rich traditional demi-glace sauce and a perfectly garnished dish that made me smile! I didn't taste the corn soup (¥780), but it was probably a traditional potage...♡ For dessert, I ordered vanilla ice cream (¥580) and apple cake (set with tea for ¥980), a mousse-like cake that was 'almost sophisticated!', and the red wine by the glass from Seiyoken was a blend of imported Cabernet Sauvignon that was well-balanced, as expected! With table check also done, I was able to make the most of the 40 minutes before the show to the fullest!!

I found a authentic Western restaurant near Ueno Park that I could enter at 4:00 pm! I tried the Mixed Fry Rice set for 2000 yen and the Beef Curry for 1580 yen with extra rice, and the portion was satisfying! The food was all delicious! Although I couldn't see the park view, I remember seeing other restaurants with better views of the park. The staff were attentive and I will definitely come back again!

I stopped by for tea after lunch. It's located inside the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, right in front of Ueno Park exit. The atmosphere inside is very calm, surrounded by older ladies. It was quiet. I ordered a cake set with iced coffee and apple cake, I think. I would like to go back again for another break.

In front of Ueno Station is the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, where classical concerts are held. It has a solid, stone exterior that has been there since I was a child. It is located across from the Western Art Museum. I had lunch there with my parents on the second floor. As we climbed the stairs, we could see greenery through the windows. The windows had thin black frames, were large, and only showed the trees of Ueno Park. It was like a beautiful painting. There were classical chandeliers on the ceiling. The red carpet and the amber-colored wooden chairs gave a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of the New Grand Hotel. The furniture seemed to be from a bygone era. The waitstaff wore white shirts and black bow ties. The customers, ranging from their 40s to 90s, were chatting while the restaurant was almost full. They seemed to blend into the scenery. The tablecloths were not cloth but vinyl, so even if you spilled the hayashi rice sauce, it would be fine. I had the mixed fry with rice for 2000 yen, with plump shrimp tempura and a nice tartar sauce. The cream croquette came with a crimson sauce. The fried item that looked like a fish cake or chicken was small but took about four bites to finish. The vegetables were fresh with no signs of wilting. Everything was fresh. The rice was served warm. My mother had the omu-hayashi for around 1700 yen, and my father had the beef stew. It was a small plate, but it had a rich demi-glace sauce with tender beef, potatoes, and noodles thicker than fettuccine. The staff were friendly, and the atmosphere was very comfortable, so my mother and I both smiled and agreed to eat here again. There was an elevator next to the stairs. It was a Tuesday afternoon, and at 11:30, there were many empty seats, but by 12:00, it was full. There were two groups waiting in line. After lunch, we visited the permanent exhibition at the Western Art Museum. Admission was free for those 65 and older, but I paid 500 yen.

After visiting the Henri Matisse exhibition, I had a late lunch. I enjoyed a fluffy and creamy omurice with delicious hayashi sauce. I believe that simple dishes can quickly lose their deliciousness if made carelessly, but the one at Seiyouken tasted just as delicious as the one I had as a child! Thank you for the meal♪

On this day, I visited a special exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art for about an hour starting around 11 in the morning. After that, I decided to have lunch at the restaurant inside the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in front of the museum, where I haven't been for a while. I was prepared to wait in line during the busy lunch hour. There were 5 groups of customers ahead of me, but surprisingly, the turnover was quick and I got my turn in about 10 minutes. While waiting, I noticed an unusual menu item called "Chapsui." I had never heard of it before, even though I had been visiting the restaurant for a long time. The description on the menu explained that Chapsui originated from Cantonese cuisine that was adapted in America and became popular. The restaurant has been serving it since the opening of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in 1961. Intrigued, I decided to order the Chapsui along with a potage soup. The potage soup arrived first and I started eating it right away. It was delicious, different from instant soup you have at home. Soon after, the Chapsui arrived, looking like a Chinese rice bowl. It tasted like a mix of Western and Chinese flavors, with high-quality ingredients enhancing the taste. However, I felt that the portion of rice and toppings was a bit small for me. I would have preferred a larger portion. The total cost was ¥1,580 for the Chapsui and ¥780 for the potage soup, including tax. Overall, it was a new culinary discovery at Ueno Seiyoken. After researching, I found out that different restaurants across the country offer their own versions of Chapsui. I look forward to trying it at other places in the future.

JR Ueno Station Park Exit is a 1-minute walk away. Visited with 3 people on April 26, 2023, around 2:30 pm. Sweets Set 980 yen - Coffee - Chocolate Cake You can choose one drink from coffee or tea (hot or iced) and one cake from three options. Since it is managed by Ueno Seiyoken, both the coffee and cake were delicious. I didn't realize there were 140 seats, and the atmosphere was very relaxing with a Showa vibe. Thank you for the meal. I will visit again. Ueno Seiyoken Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Store Restaurant Forestier https://www.seiyoken.co.jp/restaurant/t-bunka/forestier.html pic April 26, 2023

A long-established Western-style restaurant that has been around for over half a century. The main store has been around for over a century from the Showa era. Visited at 14:40 on a Friday, with a seating rate of about 50%. It's quite crowded due to the cherry blossom viewing season on March 24th, located near the entrance of Ueno Park. I was drawn to the gratin, but it was already sold out. I decided to try the "Chop Suey," a dish that originated from Cantonese cuisine that spread in America and has been served at this building, the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, for over half a century since its opening in 1961. The Chop Suey arrived in about 5 minutes, resembling a Chinese rice bowl. The taste was quite mild, probably due to the menu being over half a century old. I had just eaten fried rice and dumplings at the previous restaurant, so it was just right for me, but it might be lacking in flavor for those starting their meal here. The total bill was 1580 yen including tax, and I was able to pay by card. As I was settling the bill, more customers came in one after another. I thought they might be here for tea time, but when I stepped outside, it was raining quite heavily. Good thing I brought an umbrella!

Located on the second floor of Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, this restaurant offers a pleasant and spacious dining experience with a nice view. **Food & Taste** During our visit with three people, we enjoyed a Foretaste Set for 2,500 yen, an Opera Set for 4,980 yen, and a Fluffy Omelette Rice for 1,780 yen. I ordered the Opera Set, which included a consommé soup, a fish main dish with sautéed spiny lobster tail in a saffron sauce, and dessert with coffee. The overall taste was reminiscent of traditional Western cuisine. While the presentation may resemble French cuisine, the content is more like classic Western dishes. The concept seems to focus on providing stable and familiar dishes, which may lack novelty but offer a sense of comfort. **Service & Atmosphere** The atmosphere is spacious and airy, with a view overlooking the Bunka Kaikan. The interior features a large counter and numerous table seats. The staff, dressed in vintage costumes, provide attentive service. Overall, if you enjoy the nostalgic ambiance of a classic Western-style restaurant, or if you are looking to relax after visiting the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan or nearby museums and zoos, this restaurant may be a good choice.

In front of Ueno Station Park Exit, inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, there is a restaurant called Forestier, a branch of Ueno Seiyoken, opened in 1964 when the theater first opened. The thick stone structure exudes the enthusiasm of that time when the nation was striving to attract foreign performing arts. The interior design seems to reflect that dedication. The pudding is served as "Pudding a la mode" using a flat plate. The taste of the pudding, which seems to melt with body temperature, gradually blends with the adjacent ice milk, transforming into a rich milk pudding type. The colorful addition of melon, kiwi, pineapple, and more adds to the richness. The luxurious theater cafe's pudding is truly fittingly served "a la mode." Named after the promotion of meat consumption among the Japanese people in the early Meiji era to aim for a strong nation, "Seiyoken" conveys the glamorous era when it also functioned as a social gathering place for the aristocracy.

Before going to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, I had lunch here. The fluffy omurice looked so appealing and got me excited. Inside the creamy egg was simple ketchup rice with no additional ingredients. The demi-glace sauce had tender chunks of beef, providing a satisfying meaty texture. The dish was garnished with broccoli and cherry tomatoes, adding a pop of color. The ambiance of the restaurant, with chandeliers and burgundy carpets, gave off a classical vibe. It felt quite elegant to enjoy a classic Western meal before visiting the art museum. Many solo diners, mostly elegant ladies, were also dining there.

I have passed by the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in front of Ueno Station many times, but this was probably my first time going inside. The first floor was a gift shop, but it was closed by 2 o'clock. On the second floor, there is a famous restaurant called Ueno Seiyoken, and the menu was displayed on the first floor. Although not cheap, the lunch prices were reasonable. Since I didn't have a clear memory of eating at Seiyoken before, I decided to have lunch here. Among the various Seiyoken restaurants, there is one called Restaurant Forestier Tokyo Bunka Kaikan - Ueno Seiyoken. It was already past 1:30, and there were few customers. I was shown to a table in the back and looked at the menu again. I thought the hamburger with bread or rice for 1900 yen was a good deal, but the beef curry rice for 1580 yen seemed more cost-effective, so I chose the hamburger with rice. From my seat, I could see the National Museum of Western Art designed by Le Corbusier, a World Heritage site. I took a photo from this angle, as I had never seen it before. The hamburger arrived quickly. It looked like a typical restaurant hamburger, and the side vegetables added a touch of luxury. The rice was served in a mound on the plate, with a demi-glace sauce and mushrooms. It was decent, but the hamburger didn't have any standout features. It was a decent, upscale hamburger, a bit chewy, but still tasty. Overall, it was a good experience, but not a place for solo dining or gourmet food. I knew this from the start, so I'll consider this visit to Ueno Seiyoken as a location scouting for future reference.

Since I started working at my current company, I have been receiving opera tickets every year and have been able to go watch with my partner. This year marks the third time. This cultural experience, which is far from our usual daily life, has become an annual enjoyment for the two of us. Another thing I enjoy is the alcohol during intermission. There are two 20-minute intermissions, so I take advantage of that time to have a drink. The first year, it was beer (his preference). The second year, they were closed due to COVID. Finally, this year I was able to enjoy sparkling wine in a flute glass. Due to COVID, the opera viewing was standing only, with alcohol provided but no seating. The space was a bit tight, but we still enjoyed the opera. By the way, my partner falls asleep within 5 minutes of the first act. According to a colleague who distributes these tickets, falling asleep to the music of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra while watching the opera is the ultimate luxury. I savored this brief cultural moment and am grateful for the opportunity.

Before visiting the art museum, we stopped by for a meal. We tried the recommended seasonal dish, the fried oysters. The oysters were huge and crispy on the outside, yet tender on the inside, cooked perfectly by the chef. We were very satisfied with the quality. The tartar sauce was also delicious, showcasing the skill of the longstanding restaurant. My wife ordered the omelette rice, which had a fluffy and creamy egg texture, paired with a tasty demi-glace sauce. Overall, everything was delicious and satisfying.