I visited the restaurant "JULIA" in Omotesando for the first time in 2 years. Last time, during the peak of the pandemic, alcohol service was not allowed. So, I have yet to experience the alcohol pairing by Mr. Motohashi. To remedy this, I decided to visit during the same time of year as 2 years ago. The location may seem a bit hard to find, but the exterior is still stylish and cool. The dinner starts at 7 pm, and on this day, half of the customers were foreigners. Normally, it's said to be 70%. Thanks to this, English is heard throughout the restaurant, making it feel like you're abroad. The set course includes a pairing option of alcohol or non-alcohol, with tax and service charge included, costing 25,000 yen. A clear and straightforward bill. This time, I tried Mr. Nao's dishes again after 2 years, and as always, it's hard to tell what each dish is. It's a completely original dish that expresses Mr. Nao's sensibility on the plate, based on French cuisine. The pairing by Mr. Motohashi, who is Mr. Nao's husband and a sommelier, uses only Japanese wines to complement Mr. Nao's unique style of cooking. It's a restaurant created by the two of them that can't be found anywhere else. The bill was 25,000 yen. Why do so many foreign customers come to this restaurant? Perhaps it's because of the Japanese wines, ingredients, and the love for Ibaraki by the Motohashis. The place may be stylish, but you can feel the pride and warmth of the Japanese people there. I realized once again that I have no interest in dishes that are just cool. I need to feel the thoughts and humanity of the creators in the food. Thank you for the meal.

We enjoyed 9 dishes with alcohol pairings at a good pace and were very satisfied! The restaurant has a counter seating arrangement where you don't make eye contact with other customers, allowing you to simply enjoy delicious food and drinks. The monthly changing menu and the fact that they place a bottle label for each pair made us feel luxurious. The interior is cozy, but the aisle behind the seats is narrow, so be careful when going to the restroom, haha. The moody atmosphere allows for enjoyable conversations, and we were drawn to the personality of the couple running the place. It was a wonderful night, especially when they brought out a plate for the birthday celebration, even though we only selected the option when making the reservation. Thank you very much! We heard they are planning to move to the building in front, so we will visit again after the relocation!

With over half of the guests being from overseas, the atmosphere is like that of a foreign restaurant. The dishes, made with Japanese ingredients, are beautifully presented and the combinations are surprisingly delightful. The total bill, including pairing, came to ¥25,000 for 10 people, making us wonder if it was really worth it, but our hearts were truly satisfied.

I was attracted by the pairing of Japanese wine and visited this restaurant. They offer Japanese ingredients and drinks mainly from Ibaraki and Okinawa. The course menu, including pairing, costs 25,000 yen per person. The clientele seems to be mainly in their late 20s to mid-30s. The price may not be cheap, but the customers appeared younger than expected. The atmosphere in the restaurant is calm and not noisy. Each dish is paired with a drink, so be careful if you are not used to drinking alcohol. People who are comfortable opening a bottle by themselves will be fine, but those who usually have only 2 or 3 glasses may feel a bit tipsy if they have all alcohol. It's better to switch to non-alcoholic drinks if needed. They also have a good selection of non-alcoholic pairings. The food, at least this time, seemed to use a lot of fruits. If you can't stand pineapple in sweet and sour pork, this might not be the place for you. There are only counter seats, about 10 in total, and with only one chef and one sommelier, they seem quite busy. Their teamwork makes it work somehow. I didn't dare to talk to them and just watched from afar. But I could observe the wine bottles placed in front of me closely. The wine selection was very good. The rear part of the counter is narrow, making it difficult for people to pass by. I felt the tightness when I first sat down, but since there weren't many people moving around during the meal, and my focus was on the food and wine, the narrow space didn't bother me as much.

The restaurant exudes an adult atmosphere with a touch of sensuality. The interior is all black with spotlights illuminating the space. When coming here, even I, as a sophisticated individual, make sure to dress elegantly. I don't want to disrupt this crisp air. It's a fantastic space. The food is served in courses, and there is always a dish that leaves a lasting impression. I've visited three times, and each time there is a dish that stands out in my mind. This time, it was the dessert that resonated with me. A rare gem of a restaurant using ingredients from Ibaraki. The dishes are so exciting and creative. The signature sliders are also delicious, as always.

JULIA in Sotokanda. A restaurant near the intersection of Minami Aoyama 3-chome, known for its innovative fusion cuisine. They offer monthly course meals paired with drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Run by a chef and sommelier couple, the restaurant has only 10 seats at the counter. The guests start dining together, enjoying the chef's skillful cooking and beautifully designed dishes in the chic, black-themed interior. Ingredients are sourced from Ibaraki and Okinawa, the owner's hometown, with Japanese wine pairing for each dish in the alcohol pairing option. The menu includes dishes like Persimmon with mackerel, Caviar with Koshihikari rice, Foie gras with sweet potato, and more. The pacing, timing, and communication from the hosts were excellent. The natural flavors of the dishes were delightful, and the Japanese wine and sake pairings were lovely. A wonderful experience at the charming restaurant "JULIA". Thank you for the delicious meal.

This time was also great. I think you are really good at combining seasonal ingredients, especially fruits and vegetables. The wine pairings are also very good. You are a missionary for the goodness of Japanese wine. It's really nice to be able to eat delicious things little by little.

I finally had the chance to visit this restaurant that I had been wanting to go to since it was in Ebisu. It's a hidden gem of a place that feels like a cozy hideaway. When I sat at the counter after it opened, the show began! It was a series of dishes full of sense and ideas created by Chef nao. The lovely pairing (I ordered non-alcoholic) that didn't interfere at all, and the charming storytelling by the owner made me forget about time. Instead of using luxury ingredients like sea urchin or foie gras to impress, they created deliciousness that appeals to the senses with the combination of local ingredients from Ibaraki, the fragrance, seasoning, and presentation. It made me wonder about the high-end restaurants out there... and I was moved to find a place like this, shaking up my foodie life, and making it one of the top restaurants.

Innovative restaurant "JULIA" located in Tokyo, Jingumae. Originally located in Ebisu, it moved to Jingumae a few years ago. The restaurant has only 8 counter seats, with dim lighting creating a perfect atmosphere for dates. Every dish comes with a choice of alcohol or non-alcohol pairing. The menu mainly features ingredients from the chefs' hometown in Ibaraki Prefecture, offering innovative dishes using seasonal ingredients. One of their specialties, sliders, are small-sized hamburgers with a delicious barbecue sauce and juicy meat. Whether you choose wine pairing or non-alcohol pairing, you will enjoy your meal. If you haven't visited yet, I highly recommend checking it out.

I was able to visit a very lovely restaurant. The female chef and male owner-sommelier make a great team, and I heard they are a married couple. They combine ingredients from Ibaraki and Okinawa prefectures with Japanese wine. It was a fusion of Japanese ingredients and wine, and it was delicious. Thank you for the meal! I would love to go again.

I tried going to a restaurant recommended by a chef - it was set up like a counter bar with a tight layout. It was fully booked and bustling, with Japanese wine as the main drink option and for some reason, one type of cloudy sake served warm. The food had a gentle and delicious flavor. Thank you for the meal!

The restaurant, located close to Gaienmae Station, is a cozy place with only space for about 10 people at the counter. I had heard good things about it before, so I decided to visit for my wife's birthday. We were joined by three regular-looking men, another couple, and two women, making a total of 9 people that day. We enjoyed a variety of dishes including soup, shrimp, ayu fish, bonito with tomato, sea bream, duck, onion and clams, hamburger, and three desserts, each paired with a drink. Surprisingly, both other couples also ordered a birthday plate for their special occasions, making me wonder if this place is popular for celebrations. The food was incredibly delicious and the non-alcoholic drink pairings were perfectly matched. My usually critical wife was very satisfied, indicating the high quality of this restaurant. I look forward to visiting again, perhaps for my birthday or anniversary, and I hope to have a chance to chat with the focused female chef, Nao.

This is an innovative, modern American restaurant located in Omotesando. It has a chic, adult atmosphere with only 8 counter seats and dim lighting in black tones. The menu consists of a 22,000 yen course with pairing. You can also opt for a non-alcoholic pairing for an additional 3,000 yen. The dishes included a variety of items such as sustainable soup, strawberry and beet salad, bamboo shoots with yuzu miso, octopus confit, aged monkfish, lamb with grapefruit sauce, asparagus with white wine and butter, slider with pulled pork, New York cheesecake ice cream, brown tart with pecans and caramel, and a matcha terrine for dessert. The hamburger was delicious, but the lamb was slightly overcooked. The pairing is recommended with alcohol, as there are Japanese wines and sake available. Overall, the experience had its ups and downs typical of innovative cuisine.

I visited the restaurant "JULIA" that I was curious about for the first time. They use seasonal ingredients mainly from Ibaraki and Okinawa prefectures, and offer a luxurious course where each dish is paired with a glass of wine. It starts promptly at 6:00 pm, so being late is not allowed. The restaurant has only 8 counter seats, so strong perfume is not allowed. The dishes are not only delicious but also visually appealing! Some dishes are completed by pouring soup or sauce in front of you. Especially, the handmade hamburger from buns was excellent! It contains BBQ pork that was cooked for 3 days and fresh apples in between. The tender meat is irresistible! It also has a hint of star anise that gives it an Asian touch. When it comes to wine, I used to think of foreign wines, but all the wines I had in the pairing were domestically produced. It was surprising but all of them were delicious. And they matched perfectly with the dishes!! (Of course, right?) The menu changes depending on the season, so I would love to visit again in a different season!

"Innovative, modern, and often classified as American, the cutting-edge restaurant "JULIA" is known for its unique dining experience. Chef nao, who originally worked behind the scenes in a restaurant group's PR department, decided to pursue a career as a chef. He honed his skills through self-study and opened "Honhashi Wine Dining" in Tsukuba in 2012. In 2017, he expanded to Ebisu, and in 2019, he relocated to Omotesando. The restaurant has a sleek interior with around 8-10 counter seats. Guests must arrive on time as the dining experience begins when everyone is present. As a wine-focused establishment, strong scents like perfume are not allowed. The highlight of the dining experience is the wine pairing, with each dish carefully matched with a Japanese wine. The chef, who was previously biased towards French wines, was impressed by the perfect pairing and storytelling using mostly Japanese wines. The dishes, all made with ingredients from Ibaraki Prefecture, were exceptional. The amuse-bouche, a hot duck sandwich, sets the tone with its rich flavors. The crab and fresh cheese dish, served with Ibaraki-produced caviar, was a delightful combination. The clam soup, featuring various shellfish in a flavorful broth, was seasoned perfectly without the need for salt. The red deer meat, cooked with a cocoa-based sauce, offered a unique and delicious taste. The homemade whole wheat bread served with the dishes, including the mini hamburger buns, showcased the chef's dedication to quality. The taro fish, enhanced with cheese, and the Ibaraki beef, cooked over charcoal, were both outstanding. The "FARMER'S ARTWORKS" dish, featuring seasonal Ibaraki vegetables, was a true culinary masterpiece. The sliders, mini hamburgers with a three-day barbecue sauce, were juicy and flavorful. The desserts, including an ice cream crumble and a persimmon gratin, were both delicious. The persimmon dish, with its sweet and savory flavors, was a standout. The tea and tea snacks provided a perfect ending to the meal. Overall, the dining experience at JULIA was exceptional, and the chef's talent and creativity shone through in every dish."

I finally visited JULIA, a restaurant I had been longing to go to. It was my first time there, but I instantly became a fan! The chef, nao-san, and the sommelier, the husband, provided an amazing 11-course meal with 11 paired drinks for just 22,000 yen. The focus on using domestic ingredients was evident in both the dishes and the wines. The explanation of each dish was clear and easy to understand. I spent about 3 hours there, but it felt like time flew by. The specialty dish of 5 freshly picked vegetables was a highlight, each prepared differently to bring out their sweetness. The fish soup, deer meat with lotus root, whitefish and cheese, and the sliders were all delicious. The texture of the apple and the flavor of the meat soaked into the soft buns were irresistible. The desserts, including a rich NY cheesecake-like ice cream and a fruit-filled cheese gratin ice cream, were also delightful. To end the meal, I had hot coffee made with Okinawan beans and a white chocolate strawberry. The satisfaction I felt was beyond words. I would love to visit again soon.

I was invited by a friend to enjoy sake that pairs well with food, and I had a great time. The course was set, and we ate alongside other customers. There were many dishes from Ibaraki Prefecture, all of which were delicious. The combinations were creative and fun. The sake pairings were also refreshing. I would love to visit again when the seasons change.

For those who want to enjoy both food and drinks, this is a must-visit restaurant. The chef's dishes are made with ingredients that are carefully selected from local sources and trusted producers. The drinks, like wine and soft cocktails, perfectly complement the food and create a memorable dining experience. The atmosphere is relaxed and not overly pretentious, allowing you to enjoy your time without feeling pressured. The sliders, a specialty of the restaurant, are a delicious combination of slow-cooked meat and fruits. This place is perfect for a special occasion or for those who want to relax and savor their time without any distractions.

A visit after six months. A course with pairing for 19,000 yen. Due to the state of emergency, alcohol cannot be served, so it comes with non-alcoholic pairing. Each dish is served with an explanation of the ingredients, showing the owner's meticulous attention to detail. The pairings are also innovative and playful, not every dish is delicious, but it's interesting to see different combinations. The portion size is small, but by the end, you feel quite full. Overall, very satisfied. The cost performance is worth the price. - Onion mousse. Sweetness and umami that you wouldn't expect from the skin. - Clams. Simply enjoying the freshness of the clams. The greenness of the beans is a good complement. - Slider, a mini burger. Barbecue pork and apple. I want to eat about 3 more. - Farmer's Artwork salad with Genovese sauce. This is normal. - Asparagus. The aroma of the spear squid is amazing. It goes well with the sauce. - Bouillabaisse. Shrimp broth risotto with roasted flounder and espuma. The richness of the shrimp is quite intense, the risotto is my preferred firmness. The flounder is a bit dry and disappointing. - Pigeon with balsamic sauce. Classic. The skin of the pigeon is crispy and fragrant. It's delicious. - Cheesecake ice cream. I had this last time too. I want about 3 more servings of this. - Crepe Suzette with black tea and chai. Served with caramel sauce infused with black tea and chai ice cream. Rich but light to eat thanks to the tea flavor. - Butter cake. Apparently they are particular about the eggs. A simple pound cake with a hint of buttery aroma. Quite plain and not particularly delicious for a dessert. - The pairing drinks include non-alcoholic wines and creative drinks with citrus base infused with salt, vanilla, etc., served only for each dish. I enjoyed it a lot.

I took a seat at the counter with 8 seats in a restaurant run by a chef and a sommelier. Reservations are only available through the website. The interior is simple and modern with a black color scheme. I like it. I also like the softness added by the beige wood grain on the ceiling. There is no menu, only set courses with pairing sets. All dishes come with a drink, which is something I've never experienced before. This is great for me as a non-drinker. There were non-alcoholic pairings available, and even though I don't like the taste of alcohol, I was able to enjoy the pairings one after another. The sommelier is amazing! I used to think of pairings as just changing the taste, but here they take it to the next level by evolving the flavors. And the drinks are included up to dessert. My favorite menu item was the hamburger. The combination of apple and meat simmered for several days was amazing! I don't like beer, but the non-alcoholic beer cocktail paired perfectly with it made me question, "Wait, do I actually like beer?" Thank you for this valuable experience.

The pairing course was amazing from start to finish. Every bite was a surprise and a delight. The bouillabaisse filled my mouth in just one bite, and the beautiful duck consommé with sweet new onions was a perfect match. The aroma of the pulled pork sliders was outstanding! I've never tasted pigeon this delicious before. It was all about the umami... The vegetables and cheeses were all superb. I really love wine pairings, it's so much better to leave it to the professionals. The cheesecake ice cream paired with the Ibaraki sake was just perfect. The sommelier was passionate and very kind, while the chef who created these amazing dishes was charming, cute, and lovely. I heard they will be offering non-alcoholic options the next day, so I feel safe (laughs).