All stories about "Roppongi"

Rolling Stone magazine, that institution of rock, finally launched a Japanese edition earlier this year -- strangely enough, featuring Kurt Cobain on the first two covers -- and already they're taking over a shop space. The Rolling Stone Cafe, which opened earlier this week in Roppongi, should please those in need of themed dining. With a great location (opposite the Tsutaya Roppongi bookstore, near Roppongi Hills) and the love this city has for anything new and branded, you can bet the place will find some quick success. I'll be going for the nice interior and hearty meals -- lots of burgers, steaks, and lamb chops!

Rolling Stone Cafe [via]

[Photo]

This past year has seen its fair share of new dining bars pepper the Tokyo nightlife scene, which could spell trouble for the city's izakaya (traditional Japanese pubs that serve food with drinks) industry. One of the latest entries is 57 in Roppongi. Positioning itself as a New York-style joint, the spacious interior and open bar area that greet you upon entry certainly make for a nice change from the cramped spaces we tend to accept as the norm here. The original cocktails satisfy -- I went for two martinis, first the signature 57 (vermouth, vodka, gin) and then the Big Apple (apple schnapps, apple juice, vodka). They're no slouches with food either, as my grilled sirloin steak was rather good. With a fine lounging area, and DJs on weekends, I could see myself dropping by for some nice chilled evenings throughout the summer. Note that the "access" section of the 57 website suggests to take exit 6 from Roppongi Station, which won't be immediately visible from the ticket gates or on the platform signs (it's a new exit). Just proceed as if you were heading to Tokyo Midtown, and you should spot it in the tunnels.

57 [Official site]

-- Jean Snow

Taking up the top nine floors of Roppongi's Midtown Tower (Tokyo's tallest building), the new Ritz-Carlton Tokyo opened barely three weeks ago. It's super-posh of course, as befits a Tokyo luxury hotel and a Ritz to boot. Lovely as the rooms are, their main attraction is the spectacular view of the city below, especially at night (you can check Mt. Fuji during the day). And yes, there are two high-end restaurants and a swank lounge and bar; if you really want to splurge, shell out for the $20,000-a-night Presidential Suite -- it's the most expensive room in Tokyo. For more "regular" rooms, rates begin at ¥61,000 per night.

Ritz-Carlton Tokyo [via Globorati]

-- Chris Mohney

[Photo: cityofsound]