Eat at Joe’s

Things I’ve Seen

Everyone who came to Tokyo for the Olympics is required to quarantine for 14 days. I’m halfway through. We’re allowed to go out to do our jobs but we’re pretty limited the rest of the time. No one is going to feel sorry for us; we’re at the Olympics after all. But it does put…

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Everyone who came to Tokyo for the Olympics is required to quarantine for 14 days. I’m halfway through. We’re allowed to go out to do our jobs but we’re pretty limited the rest of the time. No one is going to feel sorry for us; we’re at the Olympics after all. But it does put a crimp in the fodder for E@J.

When you can’t run into random Belarusian strangers, how can you be asked to follow them to some strange basement to drink kerosene that they euphemistically call “plum wine.“ I know, our Czech friends call it Slivovitz, but trust me, calling it kerosene is a complement. For those who may have missed that episode from Sochi, it’s here.

For those, like Patricia, who want to sink their teeth into the local food scene, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed at most of my meals so far. We can’t go to restaurants until our 14 days are up, so you will be stuck with my offerings from the MPC (main press center) and from the local convenient stores. 7-11s here are all the rage. They are everywhere and the Japanese love them. They have lots of prepared food that is, quite frankly, pretty darn good. Think Trader Joes with lots of noodles. They’re a lifesaver.

With all these restrictions in mind, here are things I’ve seen.

View from
the MPC

Photo Bib # 2917
Seems ominous.
I’m a rebel.
7-11 special: Rice ball with sweet chile sauce. They have many better things but most of them have soy sauce which I can’t have anymore. No more gluten for me!
Very tasty tuna and miso soup at the MPC.
Very good breakfast at the hotel. Mostly I have yogurt and fruit and the very runny eggs. More like scrambled egg soup. But it gets me through the day.
i usually have breakfast with Doug Mills and Chang Lee. I rarely eat what Chang eats. I find that a reasonable rule to live by. If you’re wondering why, read this post from Pyeongchang.
These are grape gummies. And they are awesome!
Did not buy.
Intriguing.
The Grand Fresa, my hotel.
My room at the Grand Fresa.
Here.
There. (NYT office in the MPC)
Been spending a lot of time at the Tokyo Aquatic Center.

Hope you liked the mini tour. I’ll be working on gymnastics team final tomorrow, so this might have to hold you for a day or two. Hope you all are well.

Women’s team gymnastics final about to start.

15 responses to “Things I’ve Seen”

  1. OlympicSpectatorWannabe Avatar
    OlympicSpectatorWannabe

    Thanks for the behind the scenes look! I’m thinking you should truly experience the culture and try the pig ears and whatever Chang eats….as long as it’s GF.
    Is it weird having no spectators at the venues?

  2. Bib # 2917 Avatar
    Bib # 2917

    @OSW, I’ve mostly been at swimming so far an there are a lot of teammates in the stands cheering, so it’s not as quiet as many of the places. Will see what gymnastics is like tomorrow.

  3. Michigan sister. Avatar
    Michigan sister.

    Thank you for sacrificing some of your very limited sleep to entertain us. I’m sure it’s a very wise choice not to eat what Chang eats!!!!! And much safer not to follow strangers home for some slivovitz (although it’s pretty popular with the Bannister crowd).
    Take care and thanks for the pictures and updates.

  4. Michigan Nephew Avatar
    Michigan Nephew

    Wow. The picture on your credentials. I can’t decide if it’s the America’s Most Wanted look or the I just found out I have to eat pig ears look!

  5. CTJANDA Avatar
    CTJANDA

    Great update! Glad you’re getting some good eats but it looks like there are just as many hideous selections! I’m pretty sure you need to stay on until Paris so we can get blog updates of the food there! Your accommodations look very nice.
    Did you see the Australian coach go crazy when his swimmer won?? That was the best!!!

  6. Avatar
    Anonymous

    I would swear I saw you at a floor exercise by Simone B. over the weekend. Will watch gymnastics again looking for you . The sushi and shashimi looks pretty good ‘ tho I suspect when you are past the 14 days, you’ll find some great food on the economy

  7. Keepin' It Real Avatar
    Keepin’ It Real

    Tell me more about “candy type cheese.” Is that simply bite-sized? And are there any other parts of the pig available? I think sake is gluten free, yes?

  8. Twonka Avatar
    Twonka

    Well, I hate to be the guy that rains on the parade but…
    …My very dear comment screener, consigliere, voice of reason, instigator(at times),savior of friendship, promoter of “The Chocolate Bunny Man”,and dear, dear friend that I miss terribly; has gone to Heaven and left me fearful of posting anything that she can’t be here to reel me in from. This is my first and last post which I acknowledge no one really cares about or would notice. I certainly will continue to read E@J’s which I thoroughly enjoy, along with the comments, BUT; even though The olympics in the modern era has always been political; this one has been ridiculous from the start. I find myself rooting for Americans to lose except when against China and I make a point to boycott NBC and sponsors.
    How about Joe,since you are still in “lockdown”, what is your list of Olympics that you have covered in order of least favorite to best with a little snippet of why. I loved Sochi, Beijing and England with Bond and the Queen out of the helicopter (though I swore it was you and not the Queen!) Even Ali holding the torch!
    This one to me is a snooze fest. I can’t stand an athlete that puts GOAT on her shoulder then cries to the public about pressure, or swimmers that make excuses and of course the women’s soccer team that hopefully is getting their just deserts! AND …Who wears the mask, when they wear it, for how long, standing/sitting/ on the podium/on the way to the podium…NO FANS ALLOWED—-GEEZUS!
    Again, Im sorry for putting bad milk in the bowl of bananas but I want Mel to look down on me with her hand over her lips and shaking her head NO!
    Im sure I will get a sign to affirm.
    Best of luck Joe, stay safe and healthy but at least once; venture out for the kerosene!

  9. Mainely Art Avatar
    Mainely Art

    YUM, Well I guess you wouldn’t want to hear about our delicious lobster dinner with salad and blueberry pie. Putting the food aside, there was a great deal of discussion with the lovely Teri Nunan about your whereabouts. She said she worries about you -Thought you would want to know. And they are anticipating a wonderful photo from Japan, so you might want to get Mr. Mills on the case.
    Twonka, lovely remembrance of Sister #2, the world’s all-time giver of your delicious chocolate bunnies. And yes, we notice if you post, so will notice if you don’t.

  10. eatatjoesblog Avatar
    eatatjoesblog

    Heading to gymnastics soon. I’ll be the guy with the camera.

  11. OlympicSpectatorWannabe Avatar
    OlympicSpectatorWannabe

    Eeeek!!!! 🤩 So cool that you will be/are there!

  12. Jane Knittle Avatar
    Jane Knittle

    YUM! I love gummies—grape sounds delicious and more natural than the bears and worms. So, inquiring minds want to know…. What is the real scoop on Simone’s medical condition?…

  13. OlympicSpectatorWannabe Avatar
    OlympicSpectatorWannabe

    Are the whistles/horns/screams at swimming as obnoxious as they seem on TV?
    9 years ago today was my first full day in London!

  14. Bib # 2917 Avatar
    Bib # 2917

    WOW!! 9 tears ago. doesn’t seem possible. More gymnastics tonight.

  15. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Saw your Sunisa Lee move by move on CBS morning news today!
    Have you held the Olympic baseball yet? What is all the hype and accolades about?

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