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Old Jun 24, 2007 | 8:59 pm
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RichardInSF
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Tokyo Midtown: a few kinks to work out but has interesting potential

I visited this new development a few times on my current trip. I did not check out the Ritz-Carlton hotel as I wasn't there during a good time of day to do so.

Midtown is directly accessible by underground tunnel from both the Oedo and Hibiya lines, unlike Roppongi hills which is more challenging to reach from the Oedo line (but OK from Hibiya line).

Unsurpisingly, there are a number of restaurants and bars. A few kinks here -- one place called the "New York Deli," which was serving NOTHING like New York Deli food, had takeout meals for sale. Right next door was a restaurant called the "food court" with a zillion empty tables. When I asked the Deli clerk where I could eat my takeout meal, he indicated that I could NOT use the food court or even the Deli's tables.

So I gave back my Deli takeout meal and instead went to the smallish "Noodle Shop," which, though otherwise unlabeled, is one of two Terrence Conran places in this complex. There I got a very small serving of spaghetti for Y630. It was good spaghetti but it was a poor value as it was not at all filling. However, at least I could sit down to eat!

There is a large green area out behind the complex which is quite attractive during the day. Also, I had a drink or two with a friend at a bar near the entrance at street level and that particular bar was reasonably priced -- glass of decent wine for Y800.

Finally, I accidentally wondered into a 24 hour upscale grocery store located in the basement of the complex, clearly setting out to compete with nearby Meidi-ya (or whatever it is called).

The non-restaurant stores were the usual chichi assortment of upscale clothing stores which this city has in abundance.
There also appears to be a health clinic with some vague connection to Johns Hopkins.

The entire area is pretty easy to navigate, unlike some other....ahem!...large upscale complexes. It will be interesting to watch the competition develop.
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