One of the great things about living in the Tokyo/Yokohama area is being close to many excellent entertainment and restaurant districts. I live not too far (about 7 train stops) from Kichijoji, a suburb of Tokyo on the Chuo Line. Kichijoji is home to scores of quaint and charming restaurants, cafes and bistrots, most of which are casual, and not overly expensive. Last night I went to Talk Back, and I recommend it highly.
Talk Back bills itself as a French-style bistrot, and it certainly has a nice rustic, European feel to it. It's the kind of place you want to have wine with your meal and enjoy the creative and flavorful dishes they have on offer, and at a slow pace.
The regular menu is extensive, but even the daily recommended specials list is quite substantial. We chose a salad as an appetizer, garlic bread, a fish dish (snapper) and lamb sausage couscous. Additionally, there are many soups, pasta dishes and meat, poultry and seafood entrees available. Entrees range from about 1000-3000 yen.
Thinking the salad would be small and Japanese-sized, I was surprised at how much volume there was, and the vinaigrette dressing was delightful. The snapper came in a creamy sauce with vegetables such as asparagus, squash, okra, and baby corn. The couscous entree was two large pieces of lamb sausage in a tomato-based sauce, which was very flavorful, also with vegetables. The amount of couscous (semolina grain) was small by French standards, but considering the volume of everything else, it was fine, as we were both quite full already.
Many of the customers were couples, but there were families and small groups as well. The atmosphere is noisy, casual, and relaxed, with both table and counter seating. From the counter, you can watch the cooks at work, and they are continuously busy. Reservations are recommended.
The owner of Talk Back has two other restaurants nearby, Galopin and Talk Back Bicoque, the latter of which appears to feature more Italian dishes. I haven't tried these yet, but they're on my list!
Talk Back
Address: 2-24-6 Kichijoji, Honcho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
Phone: 042-221-0505
Hours: Lunch 11:30-14:00; Dinner 17:30-23:00 weekdays & Saturday
Holidays & Sundays 17:00-22:30
Access: 6-minute walk from Kichijoji Station; north side
URL: talkback.jp/Bistro/
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