Wines That I’ve Enjoyed

Here is a list that I'll continue to update as it grows.

I have a number of favourite wines, but this is a list of wines that I've enjoyed recently (in no particular order).

And the wines are…

Delatite Dead Man's Hill Gewurztraminer 2004

Giaconda Nantua les Deux 2000

Bowen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

Dalwinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2000

Annie's Lane Coppertrail Shiraz 2000

Penfolds St.Henri Shiraz 1998/01

 Coonawarra,
originally uploaded by eattokyo.

Underground Mr. Zoogunzoo

Australian Wine Bar & Seafood Restaurant

http://www.unitedf.com/zoogunzoo

AoyamaCity Bld. B1F  2-9-11 Shibuya-ku Tokyo 150-0002

Tel & Fax: 03-3400-1496

Open: 18:00 – Midnight.  Closed Sundays and Public Holidays

Underground Mr. Zoogunzoo has been a favourite restaurant/wine bar of mine since I stumbled onto it a few years ago, however I hadn't been there for quite some time.  Last night we ventured back and had an average meal, but some excellent wine.  From memory the food was better the last time we were there, so I don't want to say that it's not a good place to eat, but I will say this: Zoogunzoo is a place to go and drink Australian wine.  The food is secondary to the wine and the portions reflect this.  Arossa (also in Shibuya) has a better menu, but I love the atmosphere at Zoogunzoo.  The wine list has also decreased dramatically from when I was last there, but they had some good wines and the staff was very helpful and attentive.

Last night we both had a glass of white wine to start.  I had the Shaw & Smith 2001 Adelaide Hills Chardonnay (which was excellent) and my friend had a Turkeyflat Semillon.  My friend had the Tai Carpaccio and I had a duck confit in salad.  I followed my salad with penne gorgonzola and we shared a plate of olives and pickles.  The penne was wonderfully rich and there was enough on the plate for both of us to share.  We then ordered a bottle of Elderton Barossa 2002 Shiraz which was well priced and full-bodied.  For the mains I had the grilled lamb (which was small and not as good as I had hoped) and my friend had the Duck confit (a much better portion size, but unfortunately rather salty).  For dessert we had the Honey ice-cream with a shot of espresso and the chocolate terrine.  Both were excellent and the rich chocolate terrine went wonderfully with the Pfeiffer Rutherglen Tokay.

Not a cheap meal by any standards, but it was enjoyable.  I suggest going for the wine and just having a dish or two to compliment the wine, rather then going there famished like we did.

Underground Mr. Zoogunzoo has the feeling like a cave.  The walls have been rendered in a cracked mud like finish and the lighting works well to create a feeling of being underground.  The BGM was subtle and the staff was attentive and knowledgeable on their wines. 

Zoogunzoo lists itself as an Australia Wine Bar & Seafood Restaurant.  I suggest you think of it more as a wine bar.  It’s a wonderful haven to stop off at for a glass of wine and you’ll find them only too happy to have you.  Not pretentious or flashy, Zoogunzoo is a place I’ll be returning to – not to eat dinner, but to have a little food alongside a few glasses of delicious Australian wine.

The owner also has a restaurant in Ebisu specializing in New Zealand wine: Aotea Rangi http://www.unitedf.com/aotea_rangi

The House of Mao Noodles

The House of Mao
The House of Mao Noodles is a great little noodle shop located in Sendagi, Tokyo. Their Tantanmen (spicy sesame flavoured noodles) is one of the best versions on Tantanmen that I have ever had.

Today I had the ebi-soba, which is a light and clear broth served with lightly battered and seasoned prawns, thinly sliced negi and a couple of slices of lemon (nice touch). I also had a half-serve of fried rice, which is plain but delicious. My co-eater had the tantanmen and a half-serve of fried rice and his bowl was empty at the end.

The House of Mao Noodles is called 毛家麺店 in Japanese and can be found at 3-33-12 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku. It's on Shinobazu dori, right near an exit for the Chiyoda line's Sendagi station.

Highly recommended.

 Tantanmen

 Ebi-soba