なるなっち
2014.9 After a long time, I wanted to meet up with a friend who used to be a colleague at my previous company (also a drinking buddy) so we decided to go to this restaurant which is conveniently close to both of our houses. From the outside, the place looked the same as before, so we went in without thinking much. However, once inside, we noticed that the interior, menu, and staff had all been completely renovated. It was surprising to see that the familiar older staff members were no longer there. Some of our favorite dishes were also no longer on the menu, which made us feel a bit lonely. Well, times change, right? The overall younger vibe of the restaurant meant that the food was served more quickly. I let my friend handle most of the ordering. We had a seasonal vegetable salad with crispy shredded potatoes on top, and a selection of skewers including asparagus bacon, sand liver, green onion, shishito pepper, and tsukune. Everything tasted delicious, although there was a subtle difference in quality depending on the dish. Despite feeling a bit nostalgic, I enjoyed the meal. Lunch is a good deal here. The place is usually busy, with both counter and table seating available, as well as a separate banquet hall. Lunch options are affordable, but if it gets too crowded, both the kitchen and the staff may get a bit overwhelmed, so be prepared for some delays. I haven't been there in a while, so I'm not sure if they still offer the seasonal limited-time dish of Yame-style hot pot with comforting burdock flavor. The grilled dishes, such as yakitori, are prepared by an older gentleman, so if the restaurant is full, expect some delays. They offer a variety of dishes, so it feels more like a casual izakaya than just a chicken skewer place.