祐ゆう
I was taken to a restaurant for dinner that completely surprised me. We met in Ginza, so I assumed we would be dining at a restaurant there, but instead we ended up in Shinbashi. I was a bit taken aback at the idea of having dinner in Shinbashi, but when we entered the restaurant, it seemed like a yakiniku place. As we descended in the elevator, I was puzzled by the atmosphere. The interior of the restaurant was designed to resemble America during the Prohibition era, and without much time to think, we were led to a door at the end of the hallway that said "Staff Only." We were seated at the furthest table from the entrance, as they were strictly enforcing social distancing measures due to COVID-19.
We hadn't been told what kind of restaurant it was, so if it had been a first date, I might have been overwhelmed by the experience. Since it wasn't a first date, I didn't have to worry about that, but the surprises kept coming. A wooden box that looked like a traditional Japanese lunch box was brought to our table. I was puzzled when the staff effortlessly carried it over, only to find out that it contained only stones. We were instructed to pick one stone to eat, using a fork to pierce it and enjoy the meat inside. It turned out to be delicious katsu with plenty of juices.
Next, we were served three types of pressed sushi with horse mackerel, which was boneless and had no fishy taste. It was delicious and easy to eat in one bite. Then came the aged thick-cut tongue, shoulder core with yuzu-flavored daikon radish, and lobster. A dedicated chef carefully cooked the dishes for us, ensuring that they were perfectly done. I'm not usually a fan of tongue, but the tongue here was so tender and juicy that I was pleasantly surprised.
The main course was a treasure chest containing carefully selected black wagyu beef. It was a thrilling sight, and I couldn't wait to taste it. We were also given a small gift that was very popular and could be taken home. It was a special treat that only those who visited the restaurant could enjoy. The beef was grilled in front of us, and we were served a palate cleanser before enjoying it. The beef was cut into bite-sized pieces and cooked to my preference of medium-rare. It was served with sliced garlic, rock salt, and daikon radish, which enhanced the flavors and made it even more delicious.
The dessert plate had a birthday message around it, and it was a delightful end to our dinner. It featured thinly sliced apples arranged to look like roses, which was a lovely touch. The restaurant was full of surprises and unique presentations, making it a great choice for special occasions or impressive dates. I was impressed by the attention to detail and the playful elements throughout the meal. I would love to visit the original restaurant in New York one day.