あきら先輩1120
The annual New Year's party with my stepbrother and stepsister always ends up at "Kani Doraku" for some reason. And this year, it was at the restaurant in Shibuya. I usually take medication to lower my uric acid levels, but on this day, it's a cheat day for shellfish! (laughs) We made a reservation for 6:00 PM on the second day of the new year. Unlike the locations in Shinjuku and Ueno that I have visited before, the restaurant was not as crowded, with no waiting lines and available seats. We looked at the menu and ordered the following: [Menu for this occasion] - Special Kanisashi Course "Juhyo" for 15,000 yen. Each of us also ordered a separate course. - Super Nikka Highball for 650 yen x 2 It was just my family and my stepbrother for the toast this year. And let me tell you, this highball was incredibly strong! I could only manage to drink two sips... [Crab Appetizers] - "Kani Vinegar": Snow crab claws, the crab vinegar tasted delicious after a long time. - "Crab Appetizer": Scallop with sesame sauce. Inside were rare scallops, spinach, crab flakes, salmon roe, and seaweed. It got me excited for the upcoming dishes. [Assorted Crab Sashimi] - Snow Crab: Leg meat, shredded meat. The leg meat was the usual tender and delicious type, providing a satisfying bite. The shredded meat, when poured with ponzu sauce, brought out the sweetness of the crab meat. - King Crab: Seared, blanched, leg meat. The seared crab had a slightly burnt aroma, which was delightful. The blanched crab had a firm outer layer and a soft inside, providing an enjoyable texture. The leg meat was soft and tender, with a very sweet taste. Various condiments such as ponzu sauce, lemon and yuzu pepper, sweet soy sauce, spicy soy sauce, and garnishes were provided to match each part of the crab. [Crab Chawanmushi] The ingredients included lily bulbs, minced yuzu, shiitake mushrooms, and ginkgo nuts, topped with crab flakes in a thickened sauce. [Grilled King Crab] We chose to grill it at the table to enjoy the aroma. A large brazier was provided, and those who ordered the grilled crab could cook it themselves. The plump meat, when squeezed with lemon, provided a refreshing taste of crab. [Crab Tempura] Two snow crab legs, nori seaweed, and okra were served as a tempura assortment. The tempura dipping sauce was lightly flavored, with grated daikon radish and grated ginger added. Tempura is often eaten with salt nowadays, but the tempura dipping sauce was surprisingly good. However, I wonder if the sweetness of the crab meat would have been more pronounced with salt... [Crab Sushi] Snow crab nigiri, pressed sushi, crab miso battleship, and a thick roll. The vinegared rice after the tempura was very good. The battleship sushi, packed with crab miso, was quite unique and not often found elsewhere! [Soup] The soup contained finely chopped yuba, two hand-rolled wheat gluten balls, and slender snow crab legs. [Fruits] One orange and two pineapples. Light and refreshing. [Highlight of this meal] - Sashimi! Different preparations of sashimi for king crab and snow crab. The main dish was indeed the most delicious! [Editor's Note] - It only comes once a year, but it still feels luxurious. - Looking at the individual prices, the course menu is definitely more cost-effective. - We received a New Year's gift on our way out. - The highball was strong! [Overall Rating] Overall: 3.9 Taste: 4.5 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4 Cost Performance: 3.5 Drinks: 3.5 Thank you for the delicious meal. It was a treat. Next time, I will choose a different course. My stepbrother and I then went for a drink at "Hotei-chan" before heading home. (There is no review for Hotei-chan.)