The Peninsula Tokyo
Mediterranean Cruise
5-7-28 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku / +81 3 6434 1255 / www.tyharborbrewing.co.jp/en

Mediterranean Cruise

Cicada

When a restaurant as greatly loved as decade-old Cicada ups and moves to a new location, there’s always that niggling worry that things just won’t be the same, that the tried and trusted magic will somehow be lost.

In fact, the perfectly calculated move to Japanese architect Yoshinobu Ashihara’s elegant 3-storey, 50-year old premises in October has revolutionised the hugely successful Cicada Mediterranean concept. Embracing Spanish, Portuguese, Moroccan and Greek as well as southern Italian food, Cicada has grown into a full-fledged entertainment spot that encompasses a spacious, airy and smoke-free dining room, outdoor terrace and three private function rooms, as well as a standalone pay bar, just perfect for post-work drinks and tapas.

Patrons will be delighted to see that the old signature spice and flair of the original restaurant is still very much in evidence, from piquant Moroccan crab cakes and aromatic chicken and fish tagines, to lamb kefta brochettes with fresh, minty tzatziki, and roasted calamari stuffed with umami-rich prosciutto.

Attention to detail, like the sublime, fruity, unfiltered olive oils from 4 countries, and an Old World wine list of 100+ labels, 25 of which are available by the glass, has seen the popularity of Cicada skyrocket. Three words – book well ahead.

The deeply ingrained and exquisite design aesthetic that permeates Tokyo is just one facet of this brilliantly glittering and vast city, at once profoundly traditional and wildly unconventional, fabulous in equal measure. It’s one giant, jolting culture shock and stylish surprise that’s not to be missed.

www.peninsula.com/PenCities_Tokyo