Christon Cafe, Shinjuku – a great place to eat; skull contact lenses

Though my visit to Tokyo was short this time around, I still managed to meet up with a few friends and check out some great places.

Christon Cafe in Shinjuku was the restaurant agreed upon by myself, and friends Jab and Suzanne (of whom you’ll have seen lots of photos if you follow the Decadance Bar and gothic scene in Tokyo).

Since Jab is renowned for always wearing his black sclera lenses, I decided to break out my skull lenses to match him. Cool, no? They have red eyes, and the little skelly smile underneath the pupil emulates the teary/watery  effect I’ve seen in some circle lenses. I wore my grey vintage faux fur coat and turband (a great fix if you can’t be bothered straightening your fringe).

I wasn’t sure about Christon Cafe when Jab first suggested it, as I’d been to the Shibuya one and found the portions to be small and the prices large.  But I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised!  

As Christon is the location for the Tokyo Decadance parties, I’ve been here many times before – but only to walk through. For those who haven’t been, it’s filled with medieval religious icons and statues, with great Byzantine style chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

There are also some old refectory type tables and comfy booths, off in the section with the black walls where we sat, which was also adorned with chandeliers and religious items:

I’d never really looked around, or noticed the lovely olde-worlde books/menus they have.  The ‘Epicurean Bible’ above was the menu, and I like the quote they used on the drinks menu from Isaiah 56:12

“Come,” they say, “let me get wine;
let us fill ourselves with strong drink;
and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure”

Now to decide on the food….I quite liked the Chef’s Recommendation – Cheese with the Bible Toast (sic)

Here’s the Prince of Darkness with the gorgeous table menu, shaped like cathedral windows:

A little appetiser was placed on the table while we deliberated….a kind of waffle cone filled with cream cheese, sultanas, flaked almonds and a rose petal.

There was a sinful gnocchi with mushroom and tomato in a cream sauce, and beef carpaccio

We also ordered a raw tuna and avocado salad, which came with a big crispy triangular structure on top…and an upside down cross on one side.

Then there were creamy croquettes on pumpkin mash, and a lamb dish which didn’t need the sweet chilli sauce on it. Jab mused that perhaps Japanese don’t like the strong taste of lamb, and sought to mask it. Who knows?

And here are the diners themselves, seated in our cosy booths:

After dinner we headed to the Golden Gai, where unfortunately, my fave punk bar “Hair of the Dogs” was closed due to Tohru being sick.  So, we went instead to the delightful “Bar Albatross” for a few bevvies. All in all, a lovely night in great surroundings with fabulous people.

My lenses were from Colorvue, and my lashes were from Okadaya, though I’m not sure if they were Diamond Lashes or DUP.