めえ88
[Reservation] A few days ago through Tabelog. Reservations are relatively easy to make ^^/ [Price] Omakase 30,800 yen + 1 beer + 5 cups of sake for 42,380 yen. Well, it used to be much cheaper a year or two ago! Well, in times like these, I guess price hikes are inevitable (^^;) [Access] It's in a building just a short walk from Azabu Juban. Go inside and it's on the basement floor. So it's tucked away here! [Head Chef] At first, I was like, "Huh? Not Japanese?" with his exotic look (。ӧ◡ӧ。), but turns out he's definitely Japanese. He's fairly taciturn, but I feel like we bonded gradually (or so I like to think). [Service] There are about 2 apprentices. It seems like they handle everything from cooking to serving, except when they bring out the dishes, they pretty much leave you alone, haha. If you're a drinker, it's good to order drinks early! One of my personal highlights was the table setting. These towels! They're huge and fluffy! They might be the biggest ones I've seen in any restaurant I've been to! It's impressive (//∇//) [Ambiance] There's a straight counter with about 8 seats, and apparently they have private rooms too. You can hear lively chatter. It's quiet at the counter, but you get to see the head chef's knife skills, and the other customers were nice, so we had a good time ^^♪ [Food] ● Appetizer: Snapping Turtle Jellied, Yamato Potato, Hair Crab, Sea Urchin Jelly. Delicious! Bursting with snapping turtle essence. It has a crunchy texture too. Oh man, to get something like this for an appetizer (*´∀`*) ● Soup: Noto Turban Shell, Noto Abalone, Watercress. Watercress is in season now! It's used quite a bit in Japanese cuisine, huh. And the turban shell! So happy - my first time this year (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥`), and it's huge! Plus, having it in a soup for the first time! This way of enjoying it is really delicious ♡ The broth is clear and incredibly beautiful.. Amazing! ● Sashimi: Red Sea Bream, Turban Shell Liver, Fiddlehead Fern, Vinegar or Roasted Sake. The red sea bream, so sweet ♡ So delicious ♡ And the turban shell liver from earlier ^^♪ This is definitely a drink-friendly dish! ● Grilled Dish: White Sea Bream, White Melon. White sea bream comes in red and white! The white one is much rarer and more expensive apparently. It lives in deeper waters, which is why it has such good fat content. Oh wow, didn't know that! It's really fatty and delicately delicious ♡ ● Hassun: Cherry Salmon Tempura, Sazae, Silk Sea Noodles, Ankimo, Squid Ink. It's not overly extravagant in appearance, but each piece is meticulously and beautifully made. This is the kind of dish that makes you want to drink! Oh, thanks to this, I can't remember what the fish in the middle was, haha ● Junzukuri: Seems like it's junzukuri season now ♪ The broth was also very delicious ● Young Sweetfish: It feels like they're swimming, the presentation, truly Japanese cuisine is beautiful ♡ And three of them ♡ Dipped in nut sauce, the aroma and flavor are exquisite (*๓´╰╯`๓)♡ ● White Asparagus... and what was it? From the looks of it, was it the snapping turtle from the appetizer? Or perhaps shiitake mushrooms? (Not even close) ● Stick Sushi-like Thing: My memory is starting to get fuzzy as usual, haha ● Bamboo Shoots and Sakura Shrimp Clay Pot Rice: Loads of sakura shrimp! The bamboo shoots have a wonderful aroma too ♡ I usually prefer eating it on the spot, so I had 2 or 3 bowls, but couldn't finish it all (*꒦ິㅂ꒦ີ) I took some home ♪ The portion they gave was huge too, haha ● Soup, Pickles ● Dessert 1: Matcha with Fiddlehead Fern ● Dessert 2: Dekopon Jelly [Alcohol] I had an omakase selection. Starting with Juyondai ♡ Bliss... ♡ It was so blissful I ended up drinking a bit too much (灬ꈍ ꈍ灬) Maybe they have quite a variety? Should've asked for half cups! [Conclusion] A quiet hideaway in Higashi Azabu. The atmosphere is calm and soothing.