モンチッチ
I visited the Nakameguro branch of Azabu Kogai-ken, which has its main store in Hiroo. The name includes three different locations, which can be confusing. By the way, it is pronounced as "Kogai-ken". Not many people can read it correctly, I suppose. According to Wikipedia, a "kogai" is a decorative hair accessory used to arrange a traditional Japanese hairstyle called "mage". The staff at the restaurant were all very polite and exuded elegance and sophistication.
They recommended the following menu items for the day. Since I entered before 5:50 pm and 7:00 pm, I was able to enjoy the Happy Hour drink menu. Additionally, they were having a Bottle Wine Fair where you could get a bottle of wine for only 2,000 yen.
- Draft Beer (500 yen): During Happy Hour, it was only 500 yen (usually 800 yen), and it was Sapporo Black Label, which I really like. The glass was very clean, and the foam was perfect.
- Bottle Wine (2,000 yen): It was unbelievable to get a bottle of wine for only 2,000 yen, especially considering the quality and ambiance of the restaurant. Even in cheaper bars, a bottle of wine would cost at least 2,500 yen, but the wine here was of a much higher standard.
- Cold Vichyssoise (600 yen): A recommended dish for the day, and it was delicious with a flavorful consomme soup.
- Seafood Salad (1,800 yen): A luxurious salad with cucumbers, lettuce, red cabbage, green cabbage, tomatoes, and seafood like shrimp, scallops, and sea bream. The dressing was refreshing with a slightly strong acidity.
- Creamy Omurice with Hayashi Sauce (1,650 yen): A classic dish that was gentle in flavor and not heavy at all. The hayashi sauce was demi-glace, and the egg was creamy with rice inside.
- Pork Cutlet (2,000 yen): A delicious pork cutlet with a different sauce than the hayashi sauce, a complete demi-glace sauce. The breading was crispy, and the meat had just the right amount of fat.
- Ultimate Basque Cheesecake (650 yen): A unique cheesecake to be enjoyed with salt and maple syrup, with a moist and smooth texture characteristic of Basque-style cheesecakes.
- Kogai-ken Pudding (500 yen): A smooth pudding with a bitter caramel flavor, positioned as a softer option among firmer puddings.
This was my second visit to the Nakameguro branch, and it truly stands out as a wonderful Western-style restaurant in the area. Total cost for one person was 5,550 yen.