Yes Dear Reader, I know I promised to write about my overseas travels. This was delayed somewhat with intermittent internet acces. Tokyo is a city that has a firm place in my heart. I lived there for a couple of years and found myself at times, bewildered, curious, enchanted and exasperated by this fantastically weird city. It’s a city I enjoy now as a tourist which allows me to weave in and out of the areas with a familiar assuredness whilst remaining detached and appreciative of the idiosyncracies that may have niggled at me before.
So without further ado, I give you my adventures starting in the weird and wonderful city of Tokyo, followed later by Finland, Paris and London.
I love the story of Alice in wonderland as my babbling and cupcakes will attest. So it was with excitement that I found a “Fantasy Dining” restaurant in Ginza called “Alice” where waitresses, dressed in cute little alice outfits served Alice in Wonderland themed food, all in a setting fitting the eccentric little tale. We asked the Hotel concierge to book for us (I cannot live without a good concierge in Tokyo) but even then it was busy and we couldn’t get the exact time we wanted. It seemed promising, most places are only full if they are good as the Japanese really queue and wait for things that are worthwhile.
Two of the Alice waitresses
Arriving at our destination, we head up to the 5th floor in the elevator along with 6 other people also headed to Alice and are led through narrow blue velvet curtained mirrored halls, past a large oversized clock and into our blue curtained private booth. All of the rooms are blue curtained booths in varying sizes to accommodate different sized parties. It’s not for the claustrophobic although I find it cozy and quite Alice rabbit burrow-like. There are silhouetted mirror images of Alice and the Hare at the tea party and a vertical mirror image of it. We can see the people in the other booths somewhat through these but not clearly.
Our first waitress is a scream. She’s completely batty and I’m sure has no idea that she isn’t in Wonderland. She’s confused and confusing us to no end but doing it with a big smile and enthusiasm. We do place our order despite this and it is correct so perhaps it’s all part of the experience (although the later waitresses show no sign of the “altitude sickness”).
The drinks menu
Playing cards open to reveal pictures of the drinks
There is a minimum order of 1 drink and 1 meal per person which she tries to explain to us. She shows us each menu like revealing a big storybook and the drinks menu is particularly cute with the cocktails hidden inside playing cards. The coasters are Alice playing cards and should you want service, you simply press the bell on the table and a waitress will come within seconds. There is even a section at the back of the menu that tells you where you can buy the outfits from.
Amuse Bouch Y600 (yes, seriously)
As we are waiting they give us the Amuse Bouche course, curiously a tiny cup of dried banana chips and dried apricots with a little sign saying “Eat Me”. I didn’t like either given how parched we were and the waitress was a little batty so it took a while to get our drinks and water. Again, we learn that we are charged for our Amuse Bouches under the heading “charm” and the price of these little unwanted morsels? Y600 each, yep $12AUD for two of us for some bits of dried fruit.
Left “Lolita” drink Y750 Right Milkshake Y850
Our drinks finally arrive, the Lolita drink (orange and cranberry) is not off to a great start. The orange juice is not particularly fresh (you know, the point where Orange juice in your fridge is starting to go off but hasn’t yet) but the milkshake isn’t bad, although it is more just milk mixed with fruit, no ice cream.
Cheshire Cat croquette Y750
Our entrees arrive, a cheshire cat croquette is sitting a pool of that tangy brown sauce with thousand island marked paw prints. He has a fried noodle as a tail which the waitress sets alight much like a bomb.
Poor Kitty. The croquette is good with mashed potato, mince and melted cheese inside.
Potato hors d’oeuvres plate Y750
The potato hors d’oeuvre plate arrives with 6 hors d’oeuvres each sitting on a slice of potato. Some of them are obvious like the smoked salmon stuffed with cream cheese, asparagus, snow crab, prawn, and avocado and there also seems to be a seafood terrine as well. The sauces in the centre row are slightly different from each other although there is an sesame flavour to all of the sauces.
“I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date. No time to say “Hello.” – White Rabbit
A trip to the bathrooms past the giant clock is interesting. Inside the ladies room is a giant wall size picture of Alice and a toilet that you need almost need a degree to know how to flush (I managed to flush it, my husband had to ask). The water in the sink is also triggered by a button on the floor. Perhaps it’s to make the disorienting Alice experience a little more authentic.
Pepperoncini, scallop, salmon roe and prawn spaghetti Y1200
Our pasta arrives first, about 10 minutes before the pizza so it’s good that we are sharing. The Pepperoncini, scallop and prawn spaghetti is flecked with a generous portion of salmon roe. The good thing about Japan for seafood lovers like me is that seafood is often cheaper than other dishes and excellent quality and they don’t skimp on the seafood. The pasta itself is a little too garlicky for me but overall it’s not a bad dish.
Chicken teriyaki and mayo pizza Y1200
The small rectangular chicken teriyaki and mayo pizza arrives with the paprika shaded clubs on each side and they cut it into pieces at the table. I know a lot of people will baulk at mayo on pizza but I love it-don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! 
The pizza is nice, very crispy, on a fairly thin crust and whilst is pleasant on its own, its much nicer with the supplied tabasco which gives it the requisite kick.
We pay our bill (of course summoning it by pressing the bell) and leave. The waitresses are lovely and wave us goodbye saying “Take Care” and “Thankyou” in their adorable Alice uniforms. And yes I do want an outfit for myself of course – tell me you don’t…
Alice Fantasy Dining
Taiyo Building 5th floor, 8-8-5 Ginza Chuo Ku Tokyo T 104-0061
Tel: +81 (03) 3574 6980
Open:
Mon-Thurs 17:00-01:00
Friday, Saturday and Holiday eve 17:00-05:00
Sunday, public holiday 17:00-23:00
Reservations recommended
Service charge of 10% added to bill automatically as well as 8% tax.
Unfortunately no room for dessert although Tweedledum and Tweedledee look cute (bottom centre pic)
Menus, the bottom one is opened like a Storybook
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25 Comments | Add your own
Oh dear.. only in Japan! That cheshire cat looks so cute, if somewhat inedible. I don’t think I could, in a million years, have talked B into coming to this place.
I love it in Japanese restaurants where you get your own booth and just ring the bell when you need service. It feels so more private and you aren’t annoyed by other guests.
Japanese mayo on ANYTHING is great – never had it on pizza but will be trying it now.
I assume you speak Japanese? I don’t and it was such a nightmare sometimes trying to communicate in restaurants, and half the time we had no idea what we were eating.
That’s interesting. I’ve had the same experience with Japanese orange juice and drinks made with it. I don’t know if it’s because it’s shipped in and less likely to be fresh, but I do know one thing: I’ve had OJ made there when it’s “fresh” from the factory (probably from concentrate) and it still doesn’t taste like those with which I’m familiar. The texture’s a little off, often with a liquid top with a sediment below, and the juice tastes more like mandarin oranges. So, I wonder if it’s the fruit they’re using, or the time it’s allowed to sit without refrigeration, or what.
A great travelling tales ‘opener’ Lorraine
!!
I’d love to take my daughter there because she would not be able to keep a straight face if any of the staff were ‘batty’! I had to laugh at your descriptions too
The cat (and its description) sounded like childrens party food (would please perhaps the fussiest eater?)- and interesting about the ‘bomb’ part..lol ! Were they olives or licorice for the eyes?
The Amuse Bouchee that is forced upon you almost makes me want to never go there (as sooky as that sounds..lol!). First having a ‘minimum’ order (makes me go Grrrr).. then paying for dried fruit you don’t want.. eckk!! Keep the ‘Charm’ to the waitresses personalities
And those drinks.. though pretty enough to look at -Blehhh! You were honest and clear in your descriptions. I’m wondering how much ‘still water’ cost on the menu?
I love mayo on pizza. I first tried it when a local pizza joint started making a ‘chicken/mayo’ pizza (with bacon) – it’s delicious. Then I visited a friend in Perth and they brought pizza home for tea and lathered on the S&W.. it was good..but it’s oh so bad too!
!! Looking at this pizza, I’d probably want a bit more mayo! Chunky green garnish there…
Re: Japanese controls in the loo’s.. Isn’t it because they are very ‘germ’ conscious and don’t like touching things with their hands, especially when it’s to do with the public? Isn’t it he land of the surgical mask on public transport? I can remember being in Seattle USA and I had no idea how to flush a public toilet, then I walked out of the toilet and as I walked away, it flushed! That was a first for me in 2001! We have local public loo’s that do that now.
So was everyone English speaking there, would you say? As far as staff goes?
Did you get a photo of the table bell at all?
Thanks for a FUN post!
Hi Y-Yep definitely only in Japan – wait til the other stories, we went on the “unique” tour of Tokyo eateries
Hi Sasha-I totally agree-and they come very quickly when you ring the bell so you’re really not wanting for anything! Agree about japanese mayo too, everything is better with it. I usually ask for it with my sushi and mix it up with soy sauce and I’m a very happy camper.
I speak a little, enough to get me by with a lot of gestures (I’m really good at Charades
) although I’d be pushing it by making a reservation as I couldn’t gesture or mime anything.
Hi Michael-That’s interesting! I’m glad that it wasn’t off but just the way it comes (although tasting that way is certainly no good)
Hi Maria-She’d love it! I laughed when the batty waitress set the tail on fire as it wouldn’t stay lit. They were olives for eyes
I know, I felt a bit humph when I saw it, especially as the dried fruit wasn’t very nice (you know the really dry dried apricots, not the nice Turkish dried apricots and they weren’t really much effort).
Mayo is heavenly, I always laugh when I hear the anti mayo distribe in Pulp Fiction as I love it on anything-even chips!
I think they are germ conscious most definitely. Although I have been to places in Sydney where you turn on the tap by stepping on something on the floor (took me ages to work out, first time I saw it!)
No, there wasn’t mcuh english there although they were trying! I had to pull out my Japanese and gestures for it. It was hard for them to explain the 1 drink and 1 meal minimum but we ending up guessing what they meant.
I did but it didn’t come out very clearly. It wasn’t a bell as such but more a circular shaped object that signalled to the waitress like a doorbell.
You’re more than welcome!
Somehow I missed that you were going on this fantastic holiday. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the adventures.
i’ve gotta say–the cheshire cat looks a little spooky. i’d eat it quickly so i wouldn’t have to look at it long.
looks like a heck of a fun place!
Japan can be so strange =P Did you visit any maid cafes while you were there?
I think that children (and of course also our own inner child) would love this fairy tale atmosphere, so I wonder if there were many families with children?
Hi Kim-We managed to cobble together a fantastic eating tour of everywhere-just like a food blogger would do
Hi grace-Hehe he does a bit but it never occured to me not to eat him
It was very cute and fun!
Hi Kathy-it sure can, which is why I love it
What’s a maid cafe? Sounds interesting!
Hi Tuulikki-Oddly enough, there weren’t many families that we saw (it’s a little hard to see into the booths as they’re quite private). I think that because they mainly have alcoholic drinks, that perhaps this is for more grown ups with a strong sense of inner child
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjNGX-jQS94
I remember them being quite popular around 2006/2007 when I was still there. I’ll admit a small part of me wanted to go but in the end I got too weirded out by the thought of dining with sleazy old men that I didn’t =P
Alice in Wonderland Rocks!! I just came back from Hunter Valley Gardens the last long weekend, and they have a little section of ‘fairytales and fantasies’ and had an Alice in Wonderland tea party set up where you can sit there and pose for a photo, having a very unbirthday tea party with the Mad Hatter, Rabbit and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum of course!
Loved the post! Hope you’re having a great time there;)
Hi Kathy-LOL That sounds…like a hostess club in a cafe form
I don’t think that’s for me, besides which I don’t think I would be able to understand their “flattering comments”. Interesting idea though and yep definitely another “only in Japan” idea.
Hi Carolyn-It sure does! How fantastic, I didn’t realise they had something like that at the Hunter Valley. How gorgeous!
I am thankyou
Your trip looks like tones of fun!
This place is going on my to do list though!
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-It is madness and sun, we’re having a great time!
Hello! your blog is fantastic! the photos are all so great and yummy! Just a query- as I’m planning a trip to Japan- which hotel did you stay at?.
Keep up the great work! x
Hi E.J.-Thankyou so much! That’s very nice to of you to say
We stayed at the Grand Prince Hotel in Akasaka 
I where wondering if its okay with you that I borrow your pic´s to my blog?
Hi Dixi-No problems at all as long as I get a link to my site back!
Yes ofc Thank you so much
Do you mind my asking what the minimum order consisted of? I would love to bring my friend for dinner here, but can`t afford to do starter, main, dessert, and a drink for two. Would it have been enough to order one main dish and one drink per person?
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