Post #717433 by aquarj on Sun, May 18, 2014 11:28 PM

Hadn't looked at this thread in a long time, but it's great to see how current it is, especially with all the great updates from Michelle66 - thanks for all the pics you've posted! Fun to see all the seasonal stuff and the spirit there.

In April we had a return visit to the Tokyo Vics and had a great time. They've got the chinese ovens (my favorite!), they've got the bar and the drinks, and they've got the hospitality! Talked to the new manager Karim while we were there (more below), and apparently Tokyo Vics is coming up on its 40th anniversary. He mentioned plans for Vics VIPs coming to town for that celebration, including Claudette from the Emeryville location. I took a ton of decor photos, so I'll post some here, but most of the views may have been covered already.

We got there kinda late in the evening, this is the New Otani from the outside as we came up.

The New Otani has two towers; Vics is in the Garden Tower.

Entrance off the elevator.

Starting down the hallway, looking back toward the entrance.

Continuing along, the Boathouse Bar is just around this corner.

Looking back to where we came into the bar area.

Other side of the jade tiles, in the actual Boathouse Bar.

Starting down the hallway to the dining area, and looking back at the bar.

I think that's the Puka Room on the left, and the Menehune Room further down.

Friendly staff girl said hello, curious about all the pics I was taking.

Inside the Menehune Room, looking out across the hall to the chinese ovens.

Outside the Menehune Room, and its lattice dividers.

We ate in the Captain Cook Room - this is looking out from there to the main dining area with its amazing shell chandelier.

Eastern Sour - east meets west!

One of our favorites Vics traditions the Coffee Grog, presented spectacularly!

After dinner, took some more pics. This is in the main dining room looking back toward the Captain Cook Room.

Heading back down the hall toward the bar, Menehune Room on the right again.

Puka Room again.

In the bar area, the general manager Karim Belgnaoui warmly introduced himself when I was loitering around with the camera. Absolute pleasure talking to him - lots of interesting info about the Tokyo Vics, and also other locations where he's worked before and visited. The gentleman he was with popped up and offered to take pics of us with my camera.

Arigato, kampai, and we'll be back again!! This dinner was the capper on our last night in Japan for this trip, and it was fantastic!

-Randy

(ps - if any mods are looking, I wasn't sure whether to post in this thread or the less active Locating thread, maybe merge them?)