Before I get down to business, I'd like to send some love out to those who have left me encouraging comments, emailed restaurants suggestions and so on. Though I often neglect to reply, I do read all of them and appreciate hearing from you! It's nice to be reminded that when I throw bits of my experience out into the atmosphere, actual humans are catching and making use of them.
On to the restaurant of the day, I'm really excited to introduce you to dish (yes, that's a lowercase d), a spot that's high on my list of veggie-friendly favourites. We initially came across this self described "organic cafe" in a stylish men's magazine, which was featuring eating and drinking spots in various Tokyo neighborhoods. I was initially drawn to the arty-eclectic vibe created by the white walled, wood floored interior, pleasing hodgepodge of furniture, and art on display.
Dish is a nice place to relax with friends or a sweetheart, but is also somewhere I'd be comfortable hanging out alone. They have a nice selection of magazines that would be fun to pour over while sipping a hot drink. In the warmer months, one can also enjoy a meal out on the patio.
Appreciators of wine will be pleased by their nicely stocked wine list, and glass of house wine will set you back only 525¥.
A lovely dish salad (945¥) is a pleasant way to start things off. The homemade dressing usually contains anchovies but the chef will leave it out on request. A poached egg tops this salad, but egg avoiders could of course order it without.
There are a few meat and fish-free pastas on the menu, and each one I've ordered has been delicious. On our most recent trip, we went for the spicy, tomato sauced arrabbiata (1470¥), asking them to leave out the salami.
The vegetable pie (1260¥) is a must-order. Cutting into the crust releases the succulent veggies inside. Served with a little mountain of mashed potatoes, drizzled with a non-meaty gravy, and accompanied with a sidecar of add ons: parmesan, chopped onions, and pickled pepper slices. Oh yes.
Dish scores full points for ambiance and food, but there is one thing that has bothered me on a few of my visits. With no designated smoking and nonsmoking sections, nonsmokers have no escape from wafting second hand smoke from neighboring tables. I pine for the (far off?) day when Japan, too, bans smoking in eating establishments. In the meantime, dish is still a dandy place for a bite to eat.
practical information...
how to get there: Take the Odakyu line to Yoyogi-Uehara station, and use South exit #1 (南口１番出口), heading to the left as you exit. Dish is on your right less than a minute from the station, on the second floor of a red brick building with an external staircase.
address: 〒１５１−００６４東京都渋谷区上原１−３３−１６オオツカビル２階
Ootsuka building 2nd floor, 1-33-16 Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 〒151-0064
telephone: 03-5465-6455
hours: open 12:00 - 3:00am. Lunch runs from 12:00 - 6:00 with a different menu, so the dishes mentioned above may not be available. There is a night charge of 10% added to the price of all items after (if my memory serves me correctly) 11pm.
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