Introduction from Mr. Ma:

Easy to get into, stylish.

Today, I met up with my close friends at Fire Hole 4000 in Azabu-Juban for dinner. Before heading there, we decided to grab a drink at a nearby place that we found on Tabelog. As we walked towards the restaurant, I realized that I had been there before. Looking at my review on Tabelog from 5 years ago, I remembered visiting the same place with a similar mindset of stopping by for a drink or two before heading to our main destination. We sat at the counter, chatted with the staff, and enjoyed a Gin and Tonic as well as a double Maker's Mark Highball. It was a bit early, but we decided to head to Fire Hole 4000 around 6:10 pm.

After Roppongi Hills, when you walk down Keyaki-zaka and turn at the famous bookstore Docking, you enter Azabu-Juban. While it may not seem like much on the main street, once you turn onto the side streets, it's like a festival with restaurants, bars, and pedestrian-only paths. Even without a specific destination, it's fun to casually enter charming shops and feel the excitement of Azabu-Juban. Unfortunately, the cheese specialty store I was planning to visit was closed for the Obon holiday, so I ended up walking around and decided to try out this wine bar instead.-----<Ordered Menu>-----⭐︎2 glasses of white wine @750 each⭐︎QuicheThe staff here seemed to be in "off mode," which gives this place a unique foreign atmosphere. Let's finish up here quickly and move on to enjoy the excitement of Azabu-Juban with some more drinks! Cheers! ᗦ↞◃

Located in front of the shopping street of Horii, this place has a great location yet surprisingly none of the locals had been there. Since it's open late at night, it's a popular spot for those looking for a second round. The price of a bottle of rum for 9,000 yen is not bad for Azabu-Juban standards. You can just enjoy drinks here, but the staff can be a bit too casual and familiar. It might be a good place for a casual drink with girlfriends.

Anyway, from its small appearance, you would never imagine the luxurious and cozy atmosphere inside... it truly feels like a hidden adult's retreat. A oasis-like spot in Azabu-Juuban!! ヽ(゜▽、゜)ノ Nico Five Address: 3-11-5 Motoazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Hiraoka Building 1F Business Hours: [Mon-Thu] 17:00-2:00, [Fri] 17:00-3:00, [Sat] 12:00-3:00, [Sun] 12:00-2:00 Tel: 050-5797-3358 *Pets are welcome in the front area of the store ♥ The entrance area has a long counter, and from the outside, you can only see this much, so who could have imagined that there is such a hidden gem in the back...?ヽ(;´Д｀)ノ With chic sofa seats suitable for a relaxing girls' night out, full of a sense of luxury and tasteful small items. Also, versatile for business entertainment, private parties, and even equipped with a DJ booth in the back. First, a toast with a glass of Mum Cordon Rouge Champagne for ¥1000 and a homemade quiche for ¥650 to tonight's feast~♥(´0ノ｀*) Moreover, all the front seats are pet-friendly, a blessing for dog lovers~♥ *In the Azabu-Juuban shopping street, only this place and AW's counter and gill-breathing are pet-friendly. - Chicken Liver Pate ¥650 - Smoked Salmon Carpaccio ¥880 Yes, even though it's right in the middle of the Azabu-Juuban shopping street, the prices are... reasonable!! - Authentic Original Chicken Curry ¥1000 This curry is not only generous in size but also a great value and taste, a highly recommended dish~(〃∇〃) And above all... the owner here, despite looking very foreign, speaks Japanese fluently, even more than Japanese people, and with Nico-san's cheerful and friendly personality, it's no wonder there are many fans...:*:・(‾∀‾)・:*:

When I had lunch at AW Kitchen 10, I couldn't help but peek at the red parasol and the cozy atmosphere at the counter. I decided to visit again another day, as I was on my way to AW Kitchen 55. Two elderly foreign men were sitting under the red parasol, enjoying a bottle of red wine. The interior had a mix of elements, with a wooden counter on the right with white high chairs and fabric coasters, a random arrangement of sofas and low tables in the back, a large mirror on a red wall, a DJ booth, and a dining area with red tablecloths. The concept felt a bit inconsistent, but it could create a kitschy atmosphere during parties. The Bangladeshi male manager, who turned out to be Japanese-raised, served me a Chilean Terra Noble Carmenere and Caprese. The menu had various appetizers, such as steamed mussels in white wine, garlic shrimp, and potato cheese gratin, all priced under 1000 yen. The atmosphere was perfect for casual gatherings or a girls' night out. It's a convenient spot to remember in Azabu-Juban for a light meal or a drink.

Took photos with LUMIX G5 in Azabu-Juban at 4 pm. I was wandering around looking to kill some time during a somewhat awkward time of day when I spotted a large red parasol. They serve soft drinks or alcohol, so I decided to stop by. It's a cafe and dining bar located in the center of Azabu-Juban. The interior extends back with a counter in the front. There are table seats, sofa seats, and even a DJ table towards the back, creating a party-like atmosphere. The staff had an ethnic vibe, and when I asked if they were Japanese, the owner, who seemed like a mix, said, "No, I'm a bit of a foreigner," and laughed. He mentioned having Bangladeshi heritage but being raised in Japan. He spoke English fluently to foreign customers who came in later. I ordered a Corentro Tonic for 500 yen, which was refreshing with an orange flavor. The prices were reasonable, starting at 3,500 yen for a bottle of wine. In the midst of the typically expensive restaurants in Azabu-Juban, nico five stands out as a place where you can eat and drink affordably. "Five" is the owner's favorite number, and "nico" was suggested by his wife, meaning "a place where you can smile." It's a casual cafe and dining bar that opened during tough times, but I hope they do well.

Today at "Yukimura" for the "Champagne Party," I stumbled upon a cozy little bar before heading in. The bar has counter seats in the front and table seats in the back, making it suitable for individuals, couples, or even large groups. The owner or manager, who may or may not be Japanese, warmly welcomes guests. While sipping on "Champagne G.H. Mumm Brut," I noticed DJ equipment in the back, sparking thoughts of potential dancing in the evenings. I'll have to come back at night to see if my imagination matches reality. For now, I'll hold off on another drink as I have a lot to enjoy at the Champagne Party. The bar opens at 5 pm on weekdays, making it convenient for pre-dinner drinks, and opens during the day on weekends, a rarity in this area. Well, it's time to leave now.

On a Friday night around 9:30 pm, after watching a movie in Roppongi with three friends from middle and high school, we decided to go to eat more greens (a cafe in Azabu-Juban). As we were walking, we noticed the menu of nico five displayed outside the restaurant. The prices were reasonable, and there were many people sitting at the counter in front, looking like they were having a good time. We decided to have a light meal here with high expectations of delicious food. We were seated at a table in the back of the restaurant. The atmosphere inside was a bit dark but very cozy. There was even a DJ booth. In the farthest table, a group of office workers was having a lively time. The salarymen at the table behind us were in a more quiet mood. The clientele seemed to be mostly male, and the restaurant appeared to be popular with both men and women. - Appetizer: Jumbo corn snacks, a familiar taste like Japanese snack corn puffs. - Snow crab and grapefruit salad with raspberry sauce (\800): I have allergies, so I didn't eat the crab, but the grapefruit was delicious. The raspberry sauce added a fresh touch to the salad. - Spicy fried potatoes (\600): Thinly sliced potatoes with a hint of spiciness, simply delicious. - Bacon and spinach carbonara (\980): Not too heavy, easy to eat carbonara. - Tacos (price not mentioned): Recommended by the manager, made with paprika, ground chicken, cheese, and served hot. We shared all the dishes among the three of us, which was just the right amount. And of course, we had some drinks (*^^*). I had I.W. Harper Single (\600) and Myers's (\800) with soda water (+50 yen) each. My two friends ordered Cassis and Cassis Cranberry. One of them liked the Cassis Cranberry so much that they had a refill! Despite feeling like we ate a lot, the bill came to around 2200 yen per person. The manager was also very friendly, and the food and drinks were delicious, so I would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal :)