Ikebukuro is crowded with tourists every day. When you get tired of the hustle and bustle, there's a special place to stop by.

Minami-Ikebukuro Park is a four-minute walk from HOTEL RESOL IKEBUKURO. This place, past the concrete jungle, is truly an oasis in the city. On weekends, families gather here and you can see people spreading out picnic sheets and enjoying a picnic.

▲The terrace seats are also shining in the sun.

If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, we recommend "RACINES FARM TO PARK" located in the park. The interior of the restaurant has a sense of openness with glass walls that let in plenty of sunlight, and on sunny days you can enjoy your meal on the outdoor terrace.

We want to be a stage where each customer can weave their own drama.

The customer base at RACINES FARM TO PARK is diverse, ranging from men and women of all ages. On the day of our visit, the store was filled with many customers, including those doing nomadic work, those enjoying conversations with friends, and those eating with their children, all spending their time in their own way.

In 2016, RACINES FARM TO PARK started business in collaboration with Toshima Ward. In 2014, Toshima Ward was the only ward in Tokyo to be recognized as a city at risk of disappearing, meaning that the number of women in a certain age group is expected to decrease in the next 30 years. Since then, the ward has been promoting urban development that is child- and woman-friendly. Minami-Ikebukuro Park is one of these areas, and was reborn as the current Minami-Ikebukuro Park so that local residents can easily drop in.

"I think a cafe is a place to chat with the people you're with and enjoy your time together. A scene from your everyday life can become a scene in a drama with each customer as the protagonist. I want this to be a place where people feel uplifted and happy when they're here." Manager Yanagioka shared his secret thoughts about his customers.

An environmentally friendly and delicious menu created through strong ties with producers

The porchetta sandwich on the lunch menu is made with basil sauce and seasonal green vegetables, which enhance the flavor of the roast pork. Lemonade is also recommended as a lunch accompaniment. The refreshing aroma of fresh lemons from Kagawa Prefecture, which are used without leaving any part of the flesh, juice, or skin, is the perfect flavor for a lunchtime stroll in the park.

The restaurant's name, "FARM TO PARK," comes from the restaurant's direct connection with the producers of its ingredients, such as farmers, fishing ports, and hunters. The staff also visit the producers from time to time. By meeting the producers face-to-face and talking to them, and seeing first-hand how the ingredients are grown with care, they are able to approach the ingredients with even more love and dedication.

"At production sites, there were countless non-standard ingredients that were discarded due to overproduction or poor appearance, even though they were of very good quality. We thought that if we could turn these into delicious meals using our restaurant and food processing technology, it would bring a smile to the faces of everyone involved."

▲Flavored ice cream and donuts made with non-standard fruits are also sold in stores.
The bread is processed in a laboratory run by the Grip Second Group, and freshly made bread is delivered to the cafe every morning.

What is important to bring smiles to our customers' faces?

The store's name, "RACINES," apparently means root or origin in French.

"If our customers, delicious food and restaurant space are flowers, then the producers, ingredients and staff who work here are the roots. For plants to sprout and bloom, they must first put down firm roots. In order to ensure that our customers have a pleasant time, we aim to create a place where the ingredients we use, the producers and all of our staff are all smiling."

RACINES FARM TO PARK has firmly established roots in the Minami-Ikebukuro area, bringing flowers to the hearts of its customers. The shop is filled with love, adding a little drama to everyday life.

RACINES FARM TO PARK
電話：03-6907-0732
住所：東京都豊島区南池袋2-21-1 豊島区南池袋公園
アクセス：
JR「池袋駅」東口 徒歩5分
地下鉄副都心線・有楽町線「池袋駅」39番出口 徒歩3分
HP：https://racines-park.com/
SNS：https://www.instagram.com/farm_to_park_racines/

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.