【2014년 7월, 재방문】
Since my impression during my previous visit was very good, I decided to visit again after a while.
The first customer was a single elderly woman. It's unusual to have only one woman at the counter, but she looked very elegant and quite impressive (^_^)
This restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere, which is typical of a kaiseki restaurant. It seems like anyone can enjoy a comfortable meal here.
First, let's moisten our throats at Ebisu, and order whatever dishes we're interested in.
Oshin・Soemon-kaba no Ohitashi
A rare type of melon whose fibers have separated and turned into a texture similar to buckwheat. I've seen this for the first time. It was served in a cold broth, giving it a dish-like appearance.
It has a crisp texture that feels very pleasant. The oshimen here are always very considerate (^_^).
Beef Stoofy
Beef tendons and large amounts of green onions. The texture of the shredded green onions is quite impressive.
To present such things in a different, more refined manner would be rather tacky, you know? (^_^)
tasted it, and the texture of the beef tendon was truly remarkable. The touch on the tongue was smooth, and the umami of the beef was simply unforgettable.
It has a sweet soy sauce flavor, yet it has an elegant taste. This is truly superior to the beef tendon stew that is commonly served in izakayas.
Tuna and Shiitake Mushroom Tenders
The bonito fillets are quite thick, and they come in bite-sized pieces cut into slices. The skin is slightly thick and fluffy.
Sprinkle a little salt on it and take a bite. The wonderful aroma of kushigaeru wafts up gently. Umm, delicious ^m^
The shiitake mushrooms have a crisp texture when eaten with teeth. They also possess a rich umami flavor, making them quite delicious as well.
This combination of dishes really helps to stimulate appetite for alcohol. I switched to Japanese sake at this point.
Iron Fire Rolls
It’s not that much, but it serves as an appetizer and seems like it will fill up my stomach. So I ordered a teishōmen.
It's quite thick, and it's a bit larger than average. When I put it with soy sauce and take a bite, the vinegar is moderate. The dashi is crispy.
And above all, one can fully appreciate the rich umami flavor of the tuna. This is truly a excellent tuna (^_^)
As I felt last time, this restaurant uses excellent fish in their dishes.
I planned to just take a quick look and then end the visit. The total cost for today was 3,600 yen.
This place definitely has a high level of cuisine. Considering the quality of the food, the prices seem reasonable as well. I really hope to visit here again.
Thank you for your hospitality.
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From Azoga-eki Kita-guchi, along the railway line, extends the Star Road Shopping Street towards Ogibu. This is a Japanese-style restaurant located around the middle of the street.
This restaurant seems quite expensive. Even though I have lived in Asagaya for many years, I somehow kept avoiding it all along (^_^;).
The exterior of the restaurant has a style typical of a sophisticated dining establishment, giving it a somewhat elegant feel. Based on the signboard, it seems to be a restaurant specializing in Japanese-style cuisine from the Kansai region.
The interior of the restaurant has a counter area for about 6 people. Together with the table areas and the small seating areas, there is a total capacity of around 20 people.
The cooking is handled by the master himself, but two women who seem to be members of his family are responsible for serving the food.
The TV was turned on, so it didn’t seem as formal or strict as I had imagined.
Sit down at the counter and glance through the menu briefly. It seems to be a restaurant that focuses on seasonal ingredients, offering delicious dishes according to the current season.
First, I ordered bottle beer. As appetizers, I ordered shrimp stew and salmon sashimi.
Oshitsushi: Sarashiku Jira
A dish made from extremely thinly sliced whale fat, cooked in broth. It has no strong taste and melts smoothly in the mouth.
This is a dish where, when dealing with inferior whales, they often compensate by using dashi and miso to enhance the flavor. However, here, the whales are of high quality, so the vinegar concentration is just right.
The flavor of the whale and the sweetness of its fat are truly delicious. It would be great if we could order just one dish, but I really want to eat more ^_^
Fish and Other Dishes Stewed
In Kansai, you can often see this kind of shrimp. It looks similar to a sweet potato, but it's actually completely different from them.
The cooked texture is perfect; it’s so soft that it can be crushed with the tongue. However, it lacks stickiness and melts smoothly in the mouth.
Even just eel alone, it seems to have a great flavor. The sweet and elegant broth is truly outstanding, making it a truly magnificent dish (^_^)
A truly outstanding dish that allows you to experience the craftsmanship of Japanese cuisine.
The construction of this restaurant
From now on, until summer, this is the season for “shin-gohichi”. While there are also thin-cut versions, I chose the thick-cut version.
Indeed, the quantity is exquisite, but the presentation is quite opposite to the delicate nature of thin-cooked dishes. The sauce used in this dish is soy sauce, while the one for thin-cooked dishes is ponzu.
It has a slightly rough texture on the tongue, and its tooth contact feels sticky. When you bite down, the umami of the white meat spreads over your tongue slowly (^_^)
It resembles Suzuki in appearance, but the body is a bit more compact. It's better to use more soy sauce; that makes it more flavorful.
Here, we have converted the alcohol to a hot drink (2 cups), and additionally added eggplant yatake and salmon pressed sushi.
It would have been nice to drink another beer, but it seems that the cuisine here really deserves a sake ^_^
Maru Daiko Teyaku
This is a roasted eggplant with skin, featuring eye-shaped cuts, topped with sweet miso. The eggplant has a juicy flavor reminiscent of the flesh of fruits.
These are vegetables that naturally have a strong sweetness. They can hold back the rich, paste-like sweetness of miso perfectly. This is truly delicious.
From a delicate taste, it shifts to a more robust flavor. It really gets you drunk ^^
Sashimi with Tuna
The salmon is cooked to a very shallow degree, close to its raw state. The shari is well adhered to the salmon, and there is also a layer of oshimomono on top.
Indeed, the salmon at this time of year is small in size and not very fatty. However, the smooth texture of the red meat and its delicious taste make it quite enjoyable.
The shari is neither too firm nor too soft in texture, perfectly matching the taste of the salmon. This is truly impressive (^_^)
The dishes in this restaurant seem simple at first glance, but they are carefully prepared and extremely delicious.
The way of cooking that brings out the beautiful colors of vegetables, and the skillful use of broth—after a long time, I was able to truly appreciate the essence of a fine kaiseki restaurant. ^_^
The dishes are prepared with a perfect balance of alcohol, allowing you to enjoy a variety of drinks according to the season. I really want to try different options each season.
The order for today is 4920 yen. This price is completely acceptable. Thank you for your hospitality.
