All Aboard

Boarding with Dario, his wife Kikuko, and Ken.

In a country so dependent on its train system, it can't be helped that there are more than just a handful of train fans. There are literally people here who devote themselves to knowing everything there is to know about Japan's trains, and kids are all about their miniatures. And where there is fandom, there is profit to be made.
 Little TGV is a restaurant in Akihabara appealing to such people. As you enter, a girl in a conductor's uniform will invite you "on board", seat you, and give you a menu.

Of course there's a miniature in the corner of the room.

Every item is a station or train line - and the price is the fare. At a glance, the place is pretty neat, with vintage train-related pictures and
paraphernalia just about covering every inch of wall. It's the little things such as the coats hanging from luggage racks, and the all-too-familiar seats that bring out the theme the best. The waitresses themselves have a handful of puns or idioms that fit the theme as well, saying things like "your food is arriving to destination." (which is as close a translation as I can make.) Apparently, overhearing them talk to other customers, the waitresses are pretty savvy about trains too. They probably share that in common with their clientele.

Like most places like this, you can't really expect to be dazzled by the food though. It's alright, and, thankfully, not overpriced. People pay in for the setting more than what they'll actually eat. Unlike most themed restaurants, Little TGV doesn't do much to make the food fit the theme, and the small attempts they do make are kind of laughable at best ("isn't this kind of shaped like train tracks?")
However, the combo platters do come in little trains! Choo-choo. It's like I'm five all over again!

I had a good time, but there isn't all that much to be said about this one. I'm dry already. If you have in mind to try it out, you'll find Little TGV is a light but legitimate themed-restaurant. And heck, if you don't like it, there are actually a bunch more scattered around Tokyo that may or may not be more kooky and exciting.