サイドウォーカーズ
I'm getting older, and I find that I feel most comfortable eating at "normal" restaurants rather than trendy or fancy ones. So, when I came to Harajuku, I decided to dine at a casual dining spot. I was drawn in by the interior photos posted on Tabelog. I thought, I have to go here! Even though it's in Harajuku, it's a casual dining spot. The entrance had a cozy hideaway feel to it. It's located at the end of a street called Mozart-dori (it already feels a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of Harajuku. There are hidden cafes and restaurants scattered around, creating a lovely atmosphere). The dining spot is on the second floor of a cafe at the end of this street, but the staircase is incredibly narrow. It's a tight, dirty concrete staircase that fits only one person. And at the top, there's a faintly lit sign that says "Casual Dining." (There's also an entrance at the back, which is actually easier to spot). As I opened the door with a small drawing of a beetle on it, I was greeted with a loud and welcoming voice. "Welcome!" I thought, "This is a dining spot! A dining spot!" (I was feeling excited). The bustling atmosphere inside the restaurant was filled with nearby workers. Both men and women were eagerly eating and then leaving in a hurry. There was so much energy! It was lunchtime on a weekday, so the whole place was lively. This casual dining spot vibe is so reassuring. I'm happy to find a place like this in Harajuku. There were solo diners like me, as well as groups of 2-3 people. I took a seat at the counter and it was time to order. I went for the Fried Horse Mackerel Set for ¥680 (tax included). Wow, it's so cheap! In this day and age, this price is unbelievably low. And the portion size was huge (I asked for less rice). I'm starting to worry about the restaurant's cost performance. The fried mackerel was served piping hot! The batter was thick and heavy, to be honest, but the size of the mackerel itself was large, so it was satisfying to eat. There was also plenty of cabbage! It came with a side dish and miso soup too!! Personally, I wish they would work on cooking the rice a bit better. I want the rice at a set meal restaurant to be fluffy and warm. But overall, considering the atmosphere, the price, and the satisfaction, I thought this place was great. If I have business in Harajuku again, I'll definitely come back here. I saw a lot of male customers ordering curry rice and adding ham cutlets, I want to try that too (laughs). As I opened the door and stepped back out onto the street, I was once again surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Harajuku. It was a brief escape. Thank you for the meal! I'll definitely come back again. Summary: - A casual dining spot that makes you forget you're in Harajuku. - Great cost performance! - You'll leave full and satisfied, both in terms of food and atmosphere. *The seating is narrow and the space is not very wide, so it might be difficult to use if you have large luggage. A handbag would be more suitable.
