101218
I had been thinking of trying this place someday. When? How about now! So, I went for dinner on Tuesday. I arrived a little after 8 PM. As I entered through the entrance with a nice atmosphere, I saw double sliding doors. The second door led to a slightly dim interior. There was a counter seat in the shape of a "L" immediately inside, with a grill in the center. The counter was full with 12-13 people. There were also raised tatami seating areas with 3-4 tables, all of which were empty. The menu was divided into drinks, grilled dishes, sashimi, and side dishes, with no prices listed. Well, let's just order what looks good. First, I ordered a draft beer. A pitcher arrived along with some onion slices as an appetizer. Cheers! I looked at the menu and chose the grilled fish as my main dish. There were various options. Should I go with the standard Atka mackerel or salmon, or opt for a high-end fish like Alfonsino? After some thought, I decided on Pacific herring, which is a typical sushi ingredient in Hokkaido but I had never tried it grilled. I also ordered eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, and white asparagus. The eggplant arrived first and was quickly followed by the mushrooms. Both were delicious. To accompany my beer, I was persuaded to try some sweet potatoes, which turned out to be tasty as well. I was seated next to a mature couple from Kobe who were enjoying a high-end Alfonsino and the soup made from it. On the other side, a young couple who had squeezed me in were savoring a delicious red tilefish with sake. The white asparagus arrived, followed by the grilled shiitake mushrooms, which were juicy and flavorful. I ordered another beer and was intrigued by the old-fashioned black telephone on the wall. The white asparagus was crunchy and tasty, the best among the vegetables. Finally, the Pacific herring, the star of the meal, arrived. It was rich and tender, reminiscent of a well-fed sardine. It was delicious, especially when eaten with grated daikon and soy sauce. As I devoured the fish, I found myself fully satisfied by the end of the meal. When I asked for the bill, the staff complimented me on how neatly I had eaten. The total came to 5,610 yen, which I paid in cash before leaving. The fish was delicious, and the vegetables were also quite tasty. Next time, I might try the sashimi and sake. Thank you for the meal.