桃一百時
3.11 Tohoku Earthquake... It was tough, and it continues to be tough, right? Honestly, I didn't feel like writing anything after that, and I even seriously considered moving or changing jobs from Tokyo. But, well... it's not the time to be thinking about that, and it's not like me. So, let's not dwell on it and just carry on as usual. It may sound cliché, but "Let's do our best, Japan, let's do our best, everyone, let's do our best, me." With that in mind, I'm back on Tabelog. And to mark my return, I'll introduce Ginza Minami, a restaurant that is fitting for this occasion. I first came here probably as part of an outing with the president of my previous company. The madame here is a tough lady. It's amazing, right? The owner madame of a French restaurant running a "home-cooked meal" restaurant, handling everything from cooking to serving all by herself. This place is important to me, and this time, I wanted to introduce it as a way to regain normalcy. I truly felt healed when I came to this place. Thank you, Madame Togiue, I'll be back soon. So, a business partner who loves sake retired, and I wanted to treat him to a meal, not based on the cost, but on the value for money, and I thought there's no place better than "Minami" in Ginza. So, I called the madame and managed to make a reservation. Relief. He's from the baby boomer generation, so he's the type who thinks it's painful to be treated by a woman! So, choosing a restaurant was a struggle. But, I am where I am today thanks to people like him. We met in Shimbashi. We arrived almost at the same time, about 15 minutes early. He looks a bit older on the outside, but he's completely fine, which is reassuring. We headed towards Ginza and our conversation flowed smoothly. Yes, he seems energetic, which is great. We climbed the stairs and entered "Ginza Minami." "Welcome," greeted Madame Togiue. She has a gentle smile and is very natural. The retired executive seemed pleased with her. The place is well-maintained, and the subtle fresh flowers help relax the mood. Madame's recommendation, "Fukumitsu-ya Today's Freshly Squeezed Sake, Bottled on February 24th," was ordered. If you're curious, check here → http://k.d.combzmail.jp/t/gsv9/a0liebu07i470fl92l It's a great sake that can only be drunk at a sake brewery. It has an alcohol content of 18%, and it's been chilled in the refrigerator for about three weeks, so it's in season. It burns your throat, but when you think it's sake, it flows smoothly...!... Ah... delicious... It's not about logic, you know. The first course... Spring chrysanthemum with bonito flakes, new potatoes cooked with broad beans... New bamboo shoots, fresh shiitake mushrooms, yam, I can't remember the mountain vegetable, but it's delicious... or rather, it's tataki, but it melts in your mouth lightly and tastily. It's delicious, so happy. By the way, "obanzai" means "side dishes" and is written as 'お番菜' in Kyoto, which means home-cooked meals in Kyoto. In Kanto, it's 'おそうざい' and means 'side dishes.' Dishes that don't last long are prepared in small quantities on the same day, while those that last are cooked as simmered dishes or pickles for preservation. Comparing it to Kyoto cuisine, obanzai is to Kyoto cuisine as an outward face is to a homebody? Well, that's how it feels. The tipsy executive and I enjoyed the food amicably, and we drank sake vigorously. And then, grilled cod slices with cherry blossom leaves appeared. "Please enjoy it with cherry blossom leaves if you like," said Madame. The two drunkards eagerly dug in. As a soy sauce dipper and mustard lover (I often get told that a lot, but that's my preference!), I thought, "If Madame says so," and pushed it in without twisting it, and tasted it... The perfect saltiness, the exquisite grilling of the cod, and at that moment, I realized... oh no... the sake was gone. "Ah, I need more sake quickly!" I thought desperately, and when I turned around to beg Madame... there she was, amazing Madame! She was there, holding a one-liter bottle and smiling. The transparent liquid poured into a large decanter. I took a sip, closed my eyes naturally, and rolled it on my tongue. Me = Best.