I visited a craft beer bar in Nishi-Ogikubo with a colleague from work to talk about love. The bar had a stylish counter lined with silver taps and a clean interior, making it welcoming for women as well. While the craft beer is the top recommendation, I personally love the snacks at this place. I was moved by the deliciousness of the "Tomato Gal Salted Kombu" that I had tried at the previous version of the bar, and it was still on the menu this time. However, my colleague happened to dislike kombu, so we ended up trying some other new items. The Tomato Gal Salted Kombu combines the richness of kombu, the flavor of tomato, and the refreshing taste of gal in a truly harmonious way. For those who can eat kombu, I highly recommend it. On this day, the smoked potato salad with a delightful soft-boiled egg and grated cheese was delicious. It was another flavorful and tasty snack that went well with the beer. I look forward to visiting again for both the craft beer and the snacks.

Shibata-ya Saketen, based in Shin-Nakano, has renovated its Nishi-Ogikubo branch, changing the name from "SAKE-YA Nishi-Ogikubo" to "Shibata-ya Saketen Nishi-Ogikubo." The restaurant now focuses on serving beer, wine, and sake, with the retail sales corner removed and the selection narrowed down. However, they continue to offer Kourin sake for sale. Customers can also reserve Shibata-ya Saketen products in advance. Both dining in and ordering for pick-up are available. I recently stopped by to pick up a bottle of wine I had ordered and enjoyed a craft beer on site. They have introduced a free-flow system for selected drinks, including wine, sake, Masters Dream (half size), homemade lemon sour, strong carbonated highball, various soft drinks, and more. The free-flow system is available for 60, 90, or 120 minutes, with an option to extend by 30 minutes for an additional fee.

The beer, fish & chips, and other dishes were delicious, and the staff's service was fantastic.