Eating out in Tokyo : Cheapest Lunch Restaurants in Tokio

Restaurants in Tokyo | Acacia.

Restaurant Acacia in Shinjuku is one of oldest restaurants in Tokyo.
Acacia is a “yoshokuya”- Western food restaurant according to Japanese image about traditional Western food. Acacia is Tokyo restaurant which is very popular because of its long history, tradition and moderate prices as well as nostalgic atmosphere and interior design.

Restaurants in Tokyo | Acacia- outlook.

The restaurant entrance is all wooden, with big windows.

Acacia looks a bit like an English pub or German beer bar- very European like. Acacia building must be rather old.

Sign boards are wooden and old fashion looking but some rather modern and illuminated.

There are many plastic models of served dishes in Acacia windows and
decorative objects from Central Europe.It looks pretty cute and a bit like a decoration from anime “Howl moving castle”.

Restaurants in Tokyo | Acacia- interior and atmosphere.

The restaurant interior is entirely wooden, same like front of the building.

Many details are quite beautifully carved.
There are artworks on the walls. It is pleasant, colourful accent in this wooden scenery same like small palm tree in jar, placed in some distance from entrance.

Interior looks very European like, no doubts and I like especially the bar area, lovely old fashion and cosy.

Acacia is rather small restaurant, so people can seat also near bar counter.

Atmosphere is very pleasant too. Discret light and service, classical jazz and Japanese pop music made me feel relaxed and enjoy my lunch, which was pretty modest that day.

Restaurants in Tokyo | Acacia-how to order and pay

It is easy to make decision before you order in Acacia because you have plastic models of dishes and some real dishes displayed outside the restaurant.

There are also displayed written menus.

And there is also menu on every table inside of restaurant. Naturally menus are in Japanese mostly, but there are some parts of menu written in English too.

It may look a bit strange, but this is such a style in Acacia and in many other restaurants in Tokyo and Japan and at least foreigner may know more less where to point his finger making order…
So when you make decision, you just need to call waitress who will take your order.
You pay after meal, going to cash desk located near restaurant’s door.

Restaurants in Tokyo | Acacia-food and service.

Acacia serves Western style food, but for me it looks like food from very specific part of Europe, from Central Europe. I could recognize many dishes from German cuisine as well like some small French cuisine influences. But basically it is Central European style food for me. I know what I am saying because I used to live in Germany, Poland and Czech Republic.
I went there with my friend who heard about Acacia as famous place to eat.
On out table I have found small tray with spices and sauces, chop sticks box, wet napkin to clean our hands.
Before we made an order, waitress brought glasses with tab water

.My friend ordered stuffed cabbage leaves (stuffed with mince meat) in thick white gravy and bowl of rice.

I ordered small portion of pork stew (size S in menu).

My small portion was really small and without rice, but it was enough for me in this day.
I have found in my bowl one potato, piece of carrot and portion of pork meat.
It tasted like food from my school cafeteria which I liked in childhood.
Sauce was floury and a bit heavy but I did not mind.
Funny thing in Western style restaurant was that with every dish people could order rice, what is rather very Japanese style, very far from Western style.
But all dishes tasted familiar for me, mostly mild with some hint of black pepper taste so I can say this is kind of European cooking for sure.

What I really liked about Acacia was service, friendly and unaffected.
Most of waitresses (except one) were older ladies around 60ty and it was pretty cute for me. They served in efficient way and were most kind.

Restaurants in Tokyo | Acacia- comments.

This restaurant is an interesting place, one of these in which time seemed to stop.
I had strange feeling I am in Europe and all Japanese around me are on vacations, just I am home. This kind of food maybe a bit strange for foreigners but for Middle European dishes in Acacia are very familiar.
I wish I can try some other dishes from Acacia menu as well to check if my fist impression was right. I like look of Acacia and its peaceful atmosphere.
It is interesting place to see in Tokyo.

Restaurants in Tokyo | Acacia- additional information

• minced meat wrapped in cabbage leaves costs 780 yen and small portion of stew around 450 yen
• portions are big enough to feel satisfied and prices are relatively small
• smoking is prohibited
• it is place to stay a bit longer, but rather in evening than in lunch time.
• single customers are very welcome same as couples & small groups
• it is good place to eat for single women
• dishes are served by waitresses
• tap water is for free, same like spice
• address : Acacia (アカシア), 新宿区新宿3-22-10, 03-3354-7511. Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-22-10
Tokyo
• as of 05. 2009　

Category:Japanese Restaurant

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