Walking along the Daikou Street in Tagome, there comes a moment when the air suddenly becomes softer. The noise from the station lessens, and the tension that felt on your back is instantly relieved. Trismi is just at that boundary between two worlds. Hearing only the word "fourth floor of a mixed-use building" might cause some unease, but the moment the elevator door opens, that unease is quickly dispelled by a pleasant surprise.
The warm-colored lighting slowly faded away, and the scent of wood filled the air. The first thing that comes to mind when entering this place is “the atmosphere where people’s pace takes precedence over the sounds of cooking.” Given that the name of the restaurant includes words like “stewed meat” and “local chicken,” one might expect it to be a lively place with a hint of smoke in the air. However, in reality, it’s quite the opposite. It’s more like a “stopping point” that softens a tired mind.
As soon as you sit down, you can feel that the overall pace of the restaurant is slow and uniform. Even the sounds of orders being placed and the steps taken by the staff seem to follow a similar rhythm to breathing. It’s calm, yet not heavy. The sense of speed that Tokyo has, combined with the gentleness this place possesses, creates an illusion of time stretching slightly longer.
The cuisine is merely “actors” placed within that atmosphere, with the space itself being the main protagonist. The temperature of handmade dishes, the distance at which they are cooked—all these details certainly add to their charm. But what truly stands out is the mysterious sense of unity that arises when the atmosphere of the restaurant changes slightly in response to the food. Every time a hot plate is placed on the table, the surrounding noise becomes slightly quieter. When the aroma wafts upwards, the tone of the restaurant instantly elevates. Such subtle temperature differences accumulate over the course of a night.
In Tagome, there are many restaurants suitable for parties. However, Trismi seems to exist as a place where people go to get their bodies ready for the party. There’s no fancy decoration, but when you leave, you feel a sense of lightness in your shoulders. It’s not about achieving great satisfaction; rather, it’s about leaving behind a gentle sense of happiness.
“Today, I felt a bit tired,” thought I one evening. Then, suddenly, I wanted to press the button on the elevator at the 4th floor. It’s a place where I can rely on secretly.
