The goose is getting fat and so too is your humble correspondent, after another year of gobbling his way through some of the best dining that Tokyo has to offer -- not to mention a sizable dollop of the mediocre and worse. But it's not just gluttony that keeps the Food File going, nor merely devotion to duty. It is, of course, the delight in discovering new places where we can all dine well.
This year's favorites are scattered around the city and cover a gamut of styles and cuisines. Most, though not all, are new operations, opened within the past 18 months. What they have in common is flair and style, a personal touch and, of course, plenty of good food. The Food File tips its hat and raises its glass to them -- as it does to Japan Times readers. Happy holidays to one and all.
Proving that atmosphere and the personal touch are every bit as vital as location or decor, Pot-Bouille epitomizes the neighborhood bistro experience. With its cheerful yellow awning, white cotton half-curtains, ocher walls and brown wood paneling, it brings a whiff of small-town France to the back streets of Ebisu.