30過ぎの道草王
In a new area, in a cozy atmosphere. I found a standing bar in the Sakuragawa area, where I had never extended my legs from Namba, and had a lively conversation about my youth. Now, should I head back to base camp? But somehow I feel like having a little more to drink and eat... I decided to skip the Shinsaibashi area and head towards the Taisho area, aiming for a new restaurant concept for the day. On the way, I passed by this popular ramen shop near the river that I had visited a long time ago. Come to think of it, I hadn't been to this place yet. I decided to turn back and give it a try. Upon entering the restaurant, there were tables in the front and counter seats in the back, with many customers already seated. The seats were almost full, but it seemed okay for a solo diner, so I managed to get in. The staff were all young women. The customers were mostly a mix of young men and women. I was guided to a seat at the counter in the back. The place had a mix of a grilled food restaurant vibe and a curry restaurant vibe. The table settings were neatly arranged, and the fact that the staff were all young women gave the place a stylish impression. I opened the menu and first ordered a drink. The prices were quite reasonable, and there was a wide variety of options. I ordered a Plain Sour (380 yen) and looked through the snack menu, which had a slightly sophisticated cafe-like feel. As I flipped through the menu, I noticed a rich lineup of chicken dishes, ranging from courses to raw, grilled, fried, rice dishes, and even some small dishes to nibble on. There seemed to be a certain level of dedication to the whole lineup of chicken dishes. I had high expectations. The cool staff brought over a snack and my sour drink. The snack was tofu. At the same time, I decided to order the Speedy Cucumber Tataki. As I thought about what to eat, I tried the tofu snack. Hmm, it tasted good. Starting with raw dishes, I decided to order Chicken Thigh Tataki (700 yen). A pile of green onions with fragrant chicken thighs lined up on top. Mixing the special sauce with the green onions and eating it was a harmonious blend of fragrance and dressing. Next, I ordered skewered items. I chose Chicken Wing Tips (200 yen), Negima (180 yen), and Sand Gizzard (180 yen). By the way, you could choose from 2 skewers. They arrived one by one on separate plates as they were grilled. The meat had a solid texture and was satisfying to eat. Juicy and delicious. However, the cool service and reggae music created a mysterious atmosphere that added an interesting contrast to this Japanese cuisine. I couldn't quite put my finger on this feeling. For the finishing touch, I ordered Egg Over Rice (350 yen). With orange-colored yolk, kombu, and bonito flakes. Mixing it thoroughly in a Wateraya Yutaka style, the taste was rich as expected. The soy sauce had a thick, rich texture and a deep flavor. The dedication that I had imagined was clearly evident. The taste exceeded my expectations, and I ended up adding more to my full course. The bill was also unexpectedly high, but my stomach was full. However, with a crystal-like feeling lingering, I headed back to base camp. Rating details: 3.42