Denenchofu, one of the most expensive residential areas in Tokyo,  is not exactly the location where you would look for an Izakaya. But there is one, right in front of the station, Toriei. This place is quite well-known because of one of its regular guests: (former Yomiuri Giants) “Mister” Nagashima.

The inside is kind of narrow, a counter and a few tables squeezed in. In the back tatami seating, total capacity about 45 persons. In the messy kitchen baseball runs on TV. Nagashimasan is grinning at you from every wall, from posters, photographs, with signature and without. In between of all the Nagashima memorabilia there are other pictures of celebrities living in the neighborhood,  one showing DPJ Hatoyama, whose house is only a stone’s throw away.

Toriei specializes in grilled chicken and yakitori, there is not much more on the menu. Grilled chicken leg (840 Yen), big volume. Yakitori (158 Yen) nothing special. As a house-rule, you have to order a minimum of three skewers of one kind of yakitori, not very friendly if you are alone and want to taste several different. One small grilled green pepper, cut into 4 pieces and served on a plate, for 315 Yen, that’s a rip-off. The taste of おしんこ (pickles) (420 Yen), is sub-average.

The staff is not downright unfriendly but doesn’t give you the feeling that you are welcome. And the place urgently needs a clean up.

I have no clue why Mr. Nagashima likes to eat here.

If it is the chicken,  Toyoda in Jiyugaoka would be a much better choice.

Beer (633ml bottle): 577 Yen