KeMBY’s

When KeMBYs first opened over a decade ago it was like a breath of fresh air. The American style restaurant-bar was the first “international” bar in which there was room to swing the proverbial cat.

Kemby’s is now enjoying a second boom as a popular live music venue and eatery. Since re-opening, owner-manager Prakash has built a good reputation for Kemby’s as he has pulled people back to KeMBYs by raising the level of food and service while retaining its relaxed atmosphere.

On entering, the first floor is a large space with bar counter seating and seating at tables and long, high wooden tables for shared seating on high stools. There is a large pool tables at the front. The menu features a selection of American and Italian dishes that is definitely aimed more at the casual diner than the hardened drinker.

Signature American dishes: the KeMBYs burger (780-1100 with fries) has been “beefed up”, the onion ring tower is always a conversation piece among groups, and burritos and fajitas can go some way to satisfying those in need of a Tex-Mex fix. The bulk of the new menu, however, consists of Italian influenced dishes which include salads, pasta, risotto, pizza, meats and fish. A few appetizers accompanied by a glass of wine would also make for a nice light meal.

The owner says he is doing his best to make sure as much of the produce as possible is locally sourced. The number of plates of carpaccio available on any given day is limited by how much quality fish is available on that day at the central fish market, raw fish lovers should arrive early. Eggs are also delivered fresh daily from a local farm and clams from Ono-cho across the water from Miyajima. Mr Zenitani’s hadnmade sausages, produced in Fuchu, change season to season.

Vegetarians are catered for with a choice of dishes that, here in Japan, is not to be sniffed at, and will take more than a couple of visits to exhaust. The chefs are also more than happy to accommodate dietary preferences wherever they can so customers are more than welcome to make requests off the menu.

Kemby’s has some great events, specials and live music gigs happening regularly, check the Kemby’s Facebook page for the latest offers and details, they also list when they are closed for a private party. New Year’s Eve and the Kemby’s Anniversary are big celebrations not to be missed for a very lively night not to be forgotten.

Service is friendly, attentive, but more relaxed than other places- you can usually have a friendly chat with the bar and wait staff when you visit and they often remember you the next time you visit.

Happy Hour: ¥200 off all alcoholic beverages 17:30-19:30 every day.

• Multiligual staff
• English & Japanese Menu
• All major credit cards accepted
• Seating for around 60 on 1st Floor
• Second Floor room available for private parties of 8-20 people
• Reservations ok
• WiFi access available (ask for password)
• No parking available, but ¥100 Parking nearby

Opening hours: 11:30-00:30 Monday-Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11:30-01:00, Sunday 11:30-23:00
No set day off
Kemby’s a popular place for parties, so it’s a good idea check their Facebook Page before heading over.

URL: Kemby’s on Facebook