こきゅーんの気まぐれサラダ
"Nainoan" stands strong amidst the hustle and bustle of the commercial area in Tennoji, like a relic from a bygone era. It is a traditional Japanese house with a garden, surrounded by buildings and skyscrapers, yet still offering a view of the sky. Despite the loss of charm in the surrounding area over the past 100 years, this century-old traditional house stands tall, carrying the weight of history. When I arrived at 11:30, I hoped to secure a seat in my favorite spot (either in the "菜" or "乃" room with a view of the garden), but those seats were already reserved. I settled for a quieter seat in the "庵" room facing east, with sunlight filtering through the trees, glass doors, and wooden windows. A fellow diner remarked that it felt like dining in a large grandma's house, and I couldn't agree more. I opted for the "One Soup, Eight Dishes - Farm Vegetable Lunch" priced at 1100 yen. The main dish was simmered daikon radish with minced meat sauce, accompanied by various small side dishes made from typical farm vegetables like Chinese cabbage, radish, cabbage, spinach, mustard greens, bean sprouts, etc. The flavors were gentle and subtle, with a good balance of vinegar-based dishes and stir-fried items. The simmered daikon radish was exceptionally tender and delicious. The rice was also cooked to perfection. While the portion sizes were not large, you can request extra rice or add a dessert to adjust the meal to your liking. Overall, the experience at this unique location of Tennoji Tea Mill Mountain, with its large old house and well-maintained garden, along with the attentive staff, makes me want to root for this establishment to continue thriving. I would love to come back for the evening "Chef's Special Set" and enjoy some local sake while admiring the garden view. I can't wait to visit again in the evening!