nikemorita
There are many good restaurants in Takadanobaba, but not many that offer great food, good sake, and a nice atmosphere all in one. This place is one of the few that satisfies all of those criteria. I used to visit this place about once a month when Takadanobaba was on my commute route, but it had been almost a year since my last visit. Today, I ordered the following: liver (with sauce) - usually I prefer salt, but the sauce here is excellent, tongue - dip it in miso and add some mustard if you like, shiitake mushrooms - they are coated in soy sauce so you can eat them as they are, natto roll - a combination of natto, tsukune or ground meat, wrapped in seaweed, which is one of my favorites, thick fried tofu - simply delicious, negima (chicken and leek skewers) - always satisfying, tomato wrapped in pork - my first time trying it here, but now it seems to be available in many places, tsukune - the tsukune here is better with salt, cabbage - good as a skewer or dipped in miso, chilled tomato - a classic, water dumplings - homemade dumplings that are delicious, may be store-bought skin, salted sea squirt - it retains the unique aroma of sea squirt as a savory treat. The master greeted me with a smile even though it had been a year since my last visit. He always has a smile on his face no matter when I come. However, when he stands at the grill, his expression becomes serious like a true craftsman! This restaurant is always full, and you may have to wait 10-20 minutes at the entrance, but today I was lucky to find a standing seat available when the previous customer left, so I could sit down easily. The skewers cooked by the master in the midst of smoke overflow with the warmth of human connection, just like the delicious skewers they become. The only complaint I have is that the seats are a bit cramped.