Eggy B Abroad: Leaving on a high, Two Room - Aoyama

My last weekend in Japan was spent exploring Kyoto before heading back to enjoy some final culinary delights in Tokyo. I was determined to make brunch on Sunday a good one. And after a couple of online recommendations for Two Rooms in Aoyama, I decided it was worth a try.

On the pricey side (but then again, what isn't here) I took my beloved to Two Rooms, a terrace restaurant and bar, for an indulgent two course brunch with bonus views over the city.

We both ate the same (after three... awww) which included:

Duck and chestnut sausage, served with chestnut honey.

Not only was it exceptionally presented (although I have become to expect nothing less now) it delivered on flavour more than I expected. The combination of pf the earthy chestnut, sharply sweet honey and gamey duck worked well, and had an air of 'Christmas at home' about it too. (Nicc decided it would make a good stuffing, so looks like we'll be trying that out with the turkey this year). Whilst it was more of a roulade, the sausage was most certainly the most meaty we have had since moving here. Most of the offerings are German frankfurters and make us miss our Queens Park farmers market delicacies back home! Enough said. This starter was perfectly sumptuous and filling.

And so came seconds... Of course I couldn't refuse the eggs bendict, even though it was an extra 500 yen (approx £4) there was simply no point in even turning up if I was not going to eat it.

On the menu it stated "Two Rooms Eggs Benedict", which often lends itself to one assuming that the restaurant offer this with a special in-house twist, so I expected something a little different to the standard muffin, ham, eggs, hollandaise. Delightfully what made the Two Rooms Eggy B good was that it came with a healthy handful of watercress. I'm not usually a fan of unnecessary garnish, especially in such a large quantity but their choice to use watercress added a seasoning which meant no need for a turn from the pepper mill.

There was also a generous (and I mean generous) hunk of ham. Thick and moist it was much more like gammon. My only criticism is that it could have been slightly saltier but really this was a mild complaint. The hollandaise on it's own lacked a sharpness and would have benefited from more vinegar however the overall taste was divine. As for the eggs, they were perfectly runny. Ever so slightly on the under-cooked side for me but I scraped away very little gooey egg white and not enough to ruin my meal. The muffin really was just stodge on this dish, not particularly buttery or crisp but it was overshadowed by the topping anyway. Overall verdict: delicious!

Our brunch set also included tea or coffee too which was a good strong cup of joe - at almost £10 a cup off menu I should hope it was good and strong too.

Finally, what made this brunch one of the best was it's location. We were lucky that it was a warm and sunny winter's day in the city and the terrace on a 5th floor of a bustling area overlooked the famous Shinjuku district.

So glad to be leaving Tokyo on a brunch high, and if you are ever in town. This place is a must visit.

See you back in London. Sayonara Tokyo!

B x.

Eggy B abroad:: Tokyo reviews, 57 and Roti Roppongi

I've been in Tokyo for the last five months and have trialled a couple of restaurants for brunch. I must admit, despite the rest of the cuisine being absolutely spot on, my experiences on the search for the best Eggy B abroad had left me a little uninspired. Until Sunday that is. My last weekend here was rounded off nicely after finding a knock-out venue in the Aoyama district. First though, here's a round-up of the highs and lows that came after my first the Oak Room...

Review: 57, Roppongi, Tokyo

57 closed down at the end of September this year. Having only discovered it a few weeks previous I can't say I am sad to see it go. I opted for 57 based on the fact they not only had eggs benedict on the menu but it was served as part of an all day brunch menu, which if you so fancied could include all you can drink champers for a mere 3,500 Yen (approx £30). There is no real point delving into detail of this place as their closure does save any future patron being severely disappointed with the eggs benedict they were serving.

The Japanese (I have noticed) when serving do not tend to time the dishes well so that all plates for all diners arrive at the correct time. It's more of a 'you'll get it when it's ready' kind of affair. So, when in 57 I was pleasantly surprised mine and my dining partners mains all came promptly together, so that no-one was left with watering lips while the other tucked in! However, this prompt arrangement came at a cost. For the first time ever I have been served a dry hollandaise sauce. Yes, dry. The sort of dry you get on top of rice pudding, or worse, the cooled milk skin on hot drinks. Simply disgusting. In a foreign place I saved myself the energy to complain and just tried it. Plus, I was starving as we arrived late for our reservation because the venue was mere impossible to find (first time around at least). The taste however was very well balanced. It needed no seasoning and the ham was carved at a delightful thickness, enough to pack a salty punch but not too much that it was overbearing. The yolk of the egg also spot on. But the hollandaise. No. Even if 57 were still open I would be avoiding any recommendations. A sad time any bar closes, this ex-pat hang-out provided a little entertainment for fellow Gaijin's getting lost in the city. But I guess places like this should stick to what they know best and keep the drinks flowing after dark. R.I.P.

Review:  Roti, Roppongi, Tokyo.

Looks good? Thanks to CNN Go for this image, as the dog ate my original.

Finding an affordable joint of value in Tokyo is harder than one might imagine. You are surrounded by high rises filled from top to bottom with a bounty of restaurants, and hidden streets crammed with izakaya's. If you want good Japanese fayre, you don't need to look long or hard. However, when you come to Tokyo to live, there comes a point when you crave that taste of home. Most non-Japanese visitors will flock to Roppongi, the cities international district popular with partying ex-pats all after a sliver of comfort. I don't venture to this part of town often myself but what does draw me here is the 'recommended' places for a good feed, western style. What drew me to Roti was the excellent price (even considering the exchange rate). The venue and staff all seemed nice enough but it was lacking a certain charm, that I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was our mildly scruffy outside seating or the distinct quietness of the main dining room (despite a group of gaggling girls and the restaurant's best attempt at ambience). That said the service was great and the food not too bad. My eggs benedict was served unusually with olives on top. The sauce was a good consistency and eggs perfectly cooked. I had a delicious chai latte alongside my brunch too which was so delicious I finished in a flash and promptly ordered another! So, whilst it ticked a couple of boxes I was not convinced enough to go back.

Have you had a good (or bad) experience home or away you can share? Please post your comments below and I will be sure to check each one out... Especially the good ones'!