Today, I had dinner in Ginza and visited Sakuranoen located near Mitsukoshimae. The restaurant is on the 5th floor of a building, and you have to take an elevator to get there. The entrance on the 1st floor has a lantern-like sign, making it easy to miss if you're not paying attention, but I like how it gives off a hidden gem vibe. When I entered the restaurant just before 8 p.m., the two 4-person tables were full, and about half of the counter seats for 6 were already taken. It was quite busy, but luckily the far end of the counter was empty, so I managed to snag a seat there. Safe! (laughs) Later, another couple arrived, and the place was almost full. As you enter the restaurant, you'll notice that the name "Sakuranoen" is derived from a song title by Seiko Matsuda. Yes, both the owner and the hostess are die-hard Seiko Matsuda fans! The back of the restaurant displays Seiko's record jackets and fans, and her music plays subtly in the background, conveying their love for Seiko. According to the owner, the restaurant is quite well-known among Seiko Matsuda fans nationwide, and I can see why. However, the overall atmosphere maintains a traditional Japanese restaurant feel, so even if you're not a hardcore Seiko Matsuda fan like me, you can still enjoy the meal. They offer course meals, but since I dropped by without a reservation today, I ordered a la carte. When seated, they served three appetizers (500 yen tax included) - salmon, chilled radish, and hamburger. They all paired well with beer and were delicious. I also had chilled tofu (500 yen), tuna (Misaki) (850 yen), and potato salad and wiener curry mayo cheese bake (780 yen). All the dishes had quality ingredients, were skillfully prepared, and looked appealing. Of course, they were tasty and satisfied me in all aspects! Especially the recommended curry mayo cheese bake disappeared in no time - I devoured it all! For drinks, I had draft beer (780 yen) and red wine (500 yen) to complement the food. A restaurant in the heart of Ginza where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks at a reasonable price, and I'd prefer it to remain a hidden gem forever (laughs). And if you're a Seiko Matsuda fan, it's a must-visit place, right? It was cozy and very enjoyable. I'll definitely come back. Thank you for the meal.

I was drawn to the creative Japanese cuisine of the female chef and ended up visiting more often than the person who recommended it to me. The chef and the female owner are fans of Seiko-chan, which is perfect for someone like me who belongs to the same generation. The songs playing in the background are like the perfect accompaniment to the food and drinks.