☆まっちゃん
On August 27, 2023, I visited this restaurant for the first time with two friends. This place is a diverse izakaya in Ueno, with a variety of menu options. Upon looking at the menu, I wondered if this was a sister store of the same "Hakata Kushimaki and Vegetable Roll Restaurant Namai Ueno Store" that I visited before in Ueno. The location is on the 2nd floor along the "Okachimachi Ekimae Street" in front of JR Okachimachi North Exit station. They opened in November 2020, so it must have been a tough time... The interior of the restaurant is filled with private rooms, giving off a cozy atmosphere. Orders, including food, drinks, and even water and towel exchanges, are done through a QR code using a smartphone. The dishes we had included "Dashimaki Tamago" (682 yen) which was sweet and a bit firm, "Sashimi Assortment" (1408 yen) with octopus, salmon, and surf clam that were all fresh and delicious, and the highlight "Meat Assortment" (2178 yen) with chicken, sausages, bacon, roast beef, a generous mix of meats that we finished even though it was meant for 4 people. The "Horse Sashimi Assortment" (2178 yen) included lean horse meat, marbled beef, and a unique cut called "kone" which were all tasty, although I wished they had served it with a better soy sauce. We also tried the "Umeshu" (528 yen) with shark cartilage and plum, "Chewy Potatoes" (726 yen) surprisingly addictive, and the "Kagoshima Black Pork Shabu-Shabu Salad" (935 yen) with a sesame dressing that complemented the meat and lettuce well. We also had the "Yakisoba" (803 yen) with plenty of vegetables, and the "Sirloin Steak" (1309 yen) which was unexpectedly good quality beef. For dessert, we tried the "Waffle with Cream" (748 yen) and "Hotcakes with Vanilla Ice Cream" (748 yen), and finally ended our meal with "Chilled Udon" (660 yen) and "Rare Cheesecake" (748 yen). We also enjoyed drinks like "The Premium Malt's" (638 yen), "Lemon Sour from a Specialty Sake Bar" (462 yen), "Suntory World Whisky Ao" (850 yen), "Primeur Beaujolais Nouveau" (780 yen), "Momotaro Junmai Akamen" from Miyagi (858 yen), and "Suigei" from Kochi (820 yen). Please note that the menu options and prices may vary from what is shown on the website or online. All prices shown are inclusive of tax. Be aware of seating charges and service fees. The variety of menu options is impressive. Overall, we indulged in a lot of food, especially the meat assortment and sirloin steak were outstanding. The staff, although foreigners, were kind and accommodating. It was a delightful dining experience.