What can be said about a dessert-themed mini-mall, except maybe "YUM!" Located in family-oriented Jiyugaoka, this confectionary boasts 8 distinct sweet-shops. Without loads of walking room, it's mostly girls and dating couples who shuffle around this cozy corner, learing like, well, kids in a candy store, awaiting their chance to nibble on some earthy delights. From puddings and waffles, to Hong Kong ice cream and artisanal delicacies, Jiyugoaka Sweets Forest is a giant cavity just waiting to happen—but how lovely it is in the meantime. During better weather you can sit outdoors along the tree-lined pathway. Either way, indoors or outside, the Jiyugoaka Sweets Forest is a tasty little adventure waiting to happen. Go, indulge, brush teeth, repeat! - Stephen Lebovits
Named after the royal consort of Pharaoh Akhenaten, the Nefertiti restaurant in Nakameguro gives Tokyoites yet another exotic culinary experience. Stepping back in time, you sit at curtained booths and are encouraged to partake of their hookah pipes, literally inhaling the Middle Eastern ambiance. With patience being a virtue in ancient cultures, don't be surprised if you have to wait a bit for your food - but like the pyramids, all good things are worth the wait. From hummus and shish kebab, to beef or lamb shawarma, Nefertiti does not disappoint. With cheaper lunchtime specials on offer, a mid-day bite would be a good choice. The downstairs, open-air cafe is open from 11am to 2am. -Stephen Lebovits
Shabu shabu, also known as Japanese hot pot or Japanese fondue, is a unique kind of social dining, one where you cook your own meal at the table and everyone shares from the same pot. This traditional restaurant, located in the heart of an old geisha district, has the draw of a charming hostess and the fact that the meat - instead of being the traditional choice of beef - is black pig meat, imported from Gunma. Cook the thin strips of meat in the boiling broth for a few seconds then dip into the citrus-infused ponzu sauce. The menu is prix-fixe and the restaurant is off-map; you may have to ask a local for directions.
Le Recamier, tucked away in the residential area behind the Roppongi hills, has a quiet, homely charm that has garnered it a loyal following over the past thirty years. It serves quality, unpretentious French cuisine at reasonable prices. The staff are very welcoming and the slightly down-trodden look to the decor only adds to the appeal.
This utterly charming little cafe is a local favorite - and a local secret. Rough hewn wooden tables, alcoves and pretty feng-shui gardens give this cafe a quirky, beguiling feel and one which is worth seeking out. There is a terrace seating area when you can really soak up the atmosphere; look out for the small chalkboard sign, with creeper plants entwined around it.
Greater Tokyo's Chinatown is located about an hour's train ride away in seaside Yokohama. There, you'll find a tight Chinese community of thriving restaurants, stores and markets, where one of the oldest and most loved is Maa-San no Mise. Known for their flexible hours that enable all of the area workers to grab either an early or late bite to eat, it is all the more revered for its elderly, happy-go-lucky owner, after whom the place is named. The food is good, hot, and extremely reasonably priced with a vast amount of dishes that represent everything from Shanghai to Sichuan cuisine. While the decor is nothing worth mentioning, the atmosphere and the food is well worth the trip. If you like Chinese food, find Maa-San no Mise! -Stephen Lebovits