The approach of Typhoon Ma-on gave me only temporary pause about popping over to Ebisu for lunch with my friend Jill’s mom at the Garden Place Westin. Jill’s mom, Debbie, joined Jill, Chrissy, Kristin and me for many a lunch date and shrine sale in summers past. Those days are gone; those friends all live Stateside now. But lunch lived on with Debbie and me!
The Japan Times’ Summer Dining Special featured the extravagant Hawaiian buffet at the Westin’s Terrace restaurant. What a coincidence; it’s also where Debbie was staying. Bonus: we didn’t have to dash through the steaming streets of Ebisu between downpours. We began with some fun drinks: bottomless mineral water for her, Hula Party (mango juice, milk, coconut syrup) for me.





