ごろ寝
I visited the restaurant for lunch on the weekend after reading reviews from MyReviewer. During weekdays, there is a 5,000 yen course available, but on weekends it starts from 8,000 yen. This time, I opted for the 8,000 yen course. The restaurant is located on the basement floor of a building, where you take off your shoes at the entrance and enter the dining area. To the right, there are private rooms, and further inside, there is a counter. We were guided to a private room, allowing my spouse and I to enjoy our Japanese meal in a cozy setting. The private room had a sunken kotatsu table, making it comfortable for us to sit. We started with a refreshing glass of beer and white wine, and then proceeded with the meal:
- Appetizer: Saba (mackerel) and crab with vinegar jelly. The beautifully presented dish featured shining mackerel topped with chrysanthemum, ikura, and crab, all drizzled with vinegar jelly. The balance of vinegar was just right, enhancing the flavors without overpowering the freshness of the mackerel and crab. It set high expectations for the meal.
- Soup: Shrimp shinjo, pumpkin mochi, and matsutake mushroom in a bowl. The domestically sourced matsutake had a subtle flavor but a delightful crunch, setting a luxurious tone. The shrimp shinjo, however, stole the show with its incredible taste and fluffy texture. It was a unique and delicious dish that alone made the visit worthwhile.
- Sashimi: Aoriika (bigfin reef squid), madai (sea bream), and shima aji (striped jack). Each type of sashimi was delicious, but the sweetness of the aoriika was exceptional. It had a tender texture and a sweetness that could be enjoyed with salt or soy sauce.
- Simmered dish: Ishikawa yam and beef tendon stew. The A5-ranked beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender and had a comforting, nostalgic flavor. The yam was also soft and comforting, perfect for a chilly day.
- Grilled dish: The extravagant plate featured both flounder and beef as the main items. Accompanied by ginkgo nuts, river shrimp tempura, sweet potato, and potato chips, the dish was visually stunning. The A5-ranked beef from Miyagi was tender and easy to eat, while the rolled flounder was elegantly seasoned.
- Main dish: Tajine pot-cooked new rice with shijimi (freshwater clam) miso soup and pickles. The shiny, moist rice was delicious, and the variety of pickles complemented it well. The shijimi miso soup had a rich flavor that was enjoyable.
- Dessert: A beautifully presented glass of pumpkin ice cream with soy milk sauce, muscat grapes, and compote of pear. The pear compote was particularly delicious, adding a nice touch to the dessert. It was a delightful and enjoyable end to the meal.
After settling the bill, the restaurant owner and head chef saw us off outside. The restaurant offers a calm and leisurely dining experience during weekend lunch hours, and they are accommodating to requests like adding extra dishes. I plan to visit again for weekend lunch.