It's fall break for the boys, but not for the parents. And I'm studying from home right now, so this week is a mix of planning activities out of the house for the boys to do with our nanny and having small excursions when I have breaks in my class.
Monday we went to try takeout from Taco Rico, a Chipotle-inspired restaurant. It wasn't bad - we've been in Tokyo long enough that the taste was close enough to be enjoyable. (I've often found I shouldn't eat my favorite American foods within three months of being in America!) On the walk to Taco Rico, we passed a lunch spot cooking up tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet), and one kid declared it smelled so good, we had to go back.
Tuesday the boys explored Tokyo Dome City and ate at Shake Shack (yes, that's here - with local flavor such as a Japanese mushroom burger or a black sesame milk shake, in addition to the more "normal" American options). So, today became tonkatsu day.
Two boys opted to make their own lunch from left overs rather than go walk out and about for lunch. What a treat to (a) have kids old enough now to stay home on their own and make their own lunch and (b) spend an hour with just one of the three!
As we walked toward where we had smelled that delicious smell on Monday, I warned that some Japanese lunch places have a rotating menu, so maybe the tonkatsu wouldn't be there. Which sparked an interesting conversation about would the restaurant have, say, five menus (every Monday is tonkatsu?), 20 menus, or 365? Or maybe it would have tonkatsu every day and only do that. Sadly, today's choices were spicy chicken curry or a "hambagu" (hamburger patty with other sides). The boy said usually those would be ok, but he really wanted tonkatsu, soo....
We went on a hunt as I was fairly sure I remembered a chicken restaurant had yakitori, chicken curry, and chicken katsu for their daily takeout options. Thankfully it did.
But, then, we arrived at 11:15 ... and the restaurant didn't open until 11:30. AND it only took cash, but I didn't quite have enough not having checked my wallet when we left. After all the walking hunting for katsu, his little legs were a bit tired - and he didn't want to have to walk all the way back home to get cash and then go back.
But, this being a family-run chicken place, I knocked on the door and of course the wife who doubles as the hostess and order taker opened the door, even thought it was a little early. I apologized for being early, but explained we were looking for chicken katsu for my son, but I had forgotten my cash. And would it be too much trouble for him to wait in the entry way while I ran back for some money? She of course said it was no problem for her to watch him, and off I went while her husband prepared our take out.
I returned with the payment, and I doubt while I was gone my child even looked up from my phone which I left with him :) In any case, off we went, chicken katsu in hand. And said child declared, "next time I want it, I can walk here myself and order myself, because I can point to what I want on the picture paper and easily give her 1,000 yen. That's good to know!" So, I guess I don't have to worry about him ever going hungry :)
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