Inexpensive pizzas and pastas in a very casual setting around big central tables. The attached NYK Cafe serves up coffee and drinks, including several French wines by the glass. [feedback]

Konan 2-18-1, Atre Shinagawa 2F. Open 7am-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Although they're not our favorite oyster bar in Tokyo, Grand Central does offer an impressively big selection of oysters from all over. There's also a large, varied wine list (heavy on the whites, naturally), with lots of choices by the glass, in case you feel like just dropping in for a drink at the bar. [feedback]

Konan 2-18-1, Atre Shinagawa 4F. Open 11am-11pm (LO) daily.

The "NY Fusion cuisine" menu features items like grilled lamb with tamarind and chili coconut sauce (Y1600) and many other Southeast-Asian-influenced combinations. In the afternoon there's a buffet till 4pm - Y2000 gets you a meat or fish main course plus your fill of salads, starters and desserts. [feedback]

Konan 2-18-1, Atre Shinagawa 4F. Open 11am-11pm (LO) daily.

If Shinagawa Atre were a hotel this would be the "lobby lounge" - definitely not the place for a discreet rendezvous. They're worth noting for their big wine selection - two dozen different choices at Y500/glass, thanks to a high-tech wine dispenser system. There are plenty of original light dishes to nibble on, including tasty smoked salmon sushi rolls and an excellent free-range chicken salad. [feedback]

Konan 2-18-1, Atre Shinagawa 4F. Open 11am-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Country-style fare - soba, natto, and tofu dishes, and an intriguing sansai (mountain vegetable) full-course dinner at Y3500, along with sake from Niigata (six different kinds of Kubota!). [feedback]

Konan 2-16-3, Grand Passage 1F. Open 11am-11pm daily.

A tofu specialty restaurant with a bright, modern Japanese interior, and sushi and seasonal dishes to supplement the tofu. [feedback]

Konan 2-16-3, Grand Passage 1F. Open 11am-3, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

This small but stylish bar specializes in koshu (vintage sake), and they offer several different tasting sets to guide your explorations. The Y1260 set features three different types of koshu, and changes weekly. There's also a set comparing three different mature koshu (Y1890), and a set comparing 5-, 10-, and 32-year-old vintages from the same brewery (Y3150). The food menu is very simple - assorted cheeses and smoked dishes. There's a Y450 cover charge; budget around Y4000. [feedback]

Takanawa 4-10-18, Wing Takanawa West 2F. Open 5-11:30pm (3-11:30pm Sat/Sun) daily.

This small chain of French brasserie-cafes is popular for their authentic food and atmosphere. The cafe serves simple dishes like omelettes and salads all day long, while the brasserie has more substantial fare, with lunch an especially good value. Quiches and pastries are ready to take home from the bakery section. [feedback]

Takanawa 4-10-8, Takanawa Keikyu Bldg #7. Open 9am-11pm daily.

The excellent chicken meat used here is a special type from Nara Prefecture - a bird bred from shamo game hen and two other types of chicken. And although you may be concerned that there are no clouds of aromatic smoke wafting from the entrance, one look at the fresh chicken and other ingredients in the glass case on the counter will reassure you as to the quality of the food. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Takanawa 3-26-33, Shuwa Shinagawa Bldg B1F. Open 6-10pm (LO). Closed weekends.

A very casual Italian cafe where you can find wines by the glass (from Y500) along with simple fare like salamis, grilled chicken and organic vegetable salads. [feedback]

Higashi-Shinagawa 2-2-4, Tennoz First Tower 1F. Open 11:30am-10pm (LO) daily.

Exciting, well-centered modern American cuisine - drawing on European and middle Eastern and Asian influences - from this bayside brewpub. The wine list is fantastic, with good values at every price level. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Higashi-Shinagawa 2-1-3, Bond Street. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-10pm (LO) daily.

African food from throughout the continent and live music. [feedback]

Osaki 1-11-1, Gate City Osaki B1F. Open 11am-10pm (LO) daily.

A cozy little place serving Arak cocktails and food that's a little different from the other Balinese restaurants in town, with specialties like their asparagus egg-drop soup and spicy stir-fry dishes. [feedback]

Osaki 1-11-1, Gate City Osaki B1F. Open 11am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Excellent, authentically spicy Szechuan cuisine that doesn't compromise on flavor. Some menu highlights include shoronpo dumplings filled with a tasty soup; smoked duck; very peppery mabo-dofu; shark-fin dumplings and spicy chicken. Just about anything listed on the wall posters is worth checking out. Budget around Y3500 at dinnertime. [feedback]

Higashi-Gotanda 4-7-26. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-10:30pm (9pm Sat,Sun). Open every day.