No.4 — Restaurant in Tokyo

Worth the Wait?

Stepping into the bustling heart of Tokyo, we found ourselves drawn to a highly-raved bakery cafe, a spot promising artisanal delights. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, a tantalizing invitation that, unfortunately, came with a significant caveat: a 1.5-hour wait. Yes, you read that right – ninety minutes spent anticipating our brunch (originally breakfast).

Once seated, the experience took a turn for the visually spectacular. From the delicate pastries adorned with fresh berries to the meticulously arranged savory toasts, it was clear that the chefs here possess an incredible eye for detail, turning simple ingredients into Instagram-worthy masterpieces.

However, when it came to the actual taste, our expectations, perhaps inflated by the long wait and the visual feast, were met with a more moderate reality. The food was, in a word, "alright." While certainly not bad, it didn't quite reach the heights of culinary excellence that the presentation suggested. The flavors were pleasant, but lacked that distinctive "wow" factor that would justify such a lengthy queue.

Adding to this, I couldn't help but feel that the prices leaned towards the higher side for what was offered. While Tokyo is known for its premium dining experiences, the slight disconnect between the "alright" taste and the "beautifully presented, slightly overpriced" tag left me pondering the overall value.

The Verdict: If you're someone who prioritizes aesthetics and doesn't mind a considerable wait for a picturesque meal, this bakery cafe might just be your cup of tea (or coffee!). The ambiance is charming, and the food is undeniably photogenic. However, if your primary goal is an unforgettable culinary experience that justifies both the wait and the price tag, you might find yourself, like us, leaving with a feeling of "it was...

Went to visit my embassy in the area and was desperate for a hot coffee and some breakfast, so I looked up the closest spots that were open and landed on No.4.

To my surprise, it was crowded on a Wednesday morning. They have a ticket machine outside where you can select if you want to sit inside or outside (covered patio). I selected the patio since I saw that almost all those tables are available, so I thought I'd get in a bit faster than the people who wanted to sit in the heated area. Sadly, this was not the case..

The wait time was about 25 minutes which was 6 or 6 tables ahead of me. Once seated, you have to scan the QR code for the menu and to place your order. Sadly, I also did not realize that their morning menu does NOT include their apple caramel French toast that was advertised on their sign outside. So I settled for a French Toast set, which included bacon, an egg, salad and soup. I also ordered a salted caramel latte.

I don't have any complaints about the food; the quality and quantity was good for the price that they charged. The coffee, though, wasn't that hot. I had to drink it as soon as I got it, or it would have gone cold. Also, it was served in a paper cup, yet I was dining in. I saw everyone got their coffee in a paper cup. It's so wasteful and just isn't nice when you sit at a table.

Overal, I feel that this shop struggles to keep up with the large amount of people that come here. They seem to lower their standards to accommodate more people.

They do have a separate counter where you can buy breads and pastries to go. I kind of regret not just doing that, because waiting for a table to have the experience that I had, was not...

Cheeseburger & No.4 burger: The burgers were good, featuring tasty and fresh ingredients. The brioche buns added a gourmet touch, enhancing the overall experience. However, the patties in both burgers lacked juiciness, which was disappointing. While it was enjoyable, I wouldn’t go out of my way to have either of them again. Rating: 4/5

Mashed Potatoes: Served as a side dish with the burgers, the mashed potatoes were terrible. They were cold, stale, and inconsistently cooked, falling somewhere between overcooked and under-mashed. The flavour was lacking, and the dish didn't make any sense. Rating: 1/5

Seats/wait time - we went there at around 4 pm. and had to wait for about 2 hours after making the reservation. The traffic is a bit high in the afternoon, I guess. 2/5 rating

Service - good enough. 4/5 rating.

Ambience - we were sat at the terrace area. The tables and seats were horrible quality, not comfy. No aesthetics (not necessary, but they'd have at least tried to fix up the place) 1/5 rating.

Overall I would not return to this restaurant or recommend it to anyone who isn't within a 10-minute radius. The combination of subpar seating, long wait times, and hit-or-miss food makes it difficult to...