Zaby
I aimed for a reliable place as the New Year holidays for restaurants vary by store. The sure bet is department stores and large commercial facilities. So, I visited the "Marui Imai Sapporo Main Store," where there is an elevator that goes directly to the 10th-floor dining area from the 1st-floor entrance on the southeast corner of the main building. I arrived around 11:30, a bit early for the lunch rush, and chose "Hokkaido Dining Michinoie." The spacious restaurant had table seats and sunken kotatsu seating, with a capacity of around 100. I sat at a table towards the back with a large window facing Sapporo City Hall across Odori Park. The menu was overwhelming with options like seafood bowls, ramen, curry, set meals, rice dishes, grilled fish, soba, udon, sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, hot pot, hamburgers, etc. I had a hard time deciding and eventually chose the "Oyster Fry Curry @1,320 yen," while my companion had the "Plump Shrimp and Avocado in Tomato Sauce Doria @1,265 yen." It took about 20 minutes for the doria to be baked, but all dishes were served together. The curry was brought in a gravy boat, with three oyster fry pieces, paprika, broccoli, and other garnishes on the rice. The curry sauce, with a balanced acidity, seemed like a carefully prepared dish, and the freshly fried oysters were crispy on the outside and juicy inside, a superb dish. I was pleased with the generous amount of vegetables and other ingredients. Although my companion enjoyed the doria, she mentioned that it could have been a bit hotter. Overall, I was impressed by the quality of the department store restaurant in 2022's New Year. I look forward to visiting for daytime drinking next time. Thank you for the meal.