kasuganomichi
3.5 [Food 3.5 | Service 3.5 | Ambiance 3.5 | Value for Money 3.4 | Drinks -] is my rating. It was lunchtime on a random day, and I found myself in the vicinity of a certain restaurant. I noticed this restaurant, which I had even contributed to on Tabelog, and I hoped they would at least follow their operating hours. The entrance had a nice ambiance, so I decided to go in. Inside, there was a counter and further back, a tatami seating area. I was probably the first customer of the day, and I took a seat right in front of the owner at the counter.
For lunch, they had three standard options, each of which seemed appealing. However, there was a sign inside the restaurant that said "Limited Quantity - Duck Meat Stew Hamburg Set," so I decided to try that. The owner had a slightly intimidating appearance, like an elder member of a yakuza film or maybe a pro wrestler like Keiji Mutoh who retired and started a Japanese restaurant. He was silently focused on his cooking, while his wife prepared everything else, like the salad. The only other sound was the air pump from the aquarium near the entrance. Otherwise, it was eerily quiet.
Now, the Duck Hamburg Set had arrived. First, a salad with slices of radish and lettuce. Both were fresh and crisp. What surprised me was the homemade dressing, which was delicious, and the container had been perfectly chilled. Such attention to detail is truly appreciated, especially as the weather gets hotter (it was over 25 degrees today). The main dish, the hamburg, came with a generous serving of demi-glace sauce, along with potatoes and carrots. Duck meat minced hamburg can sometimes turn out tough, but this one, although firmer than regular hamburg, had a moist and gentle texture, with a great flavor. The sauce had a subtle hint of acidity, adding to its classic taste. The homemade Fukujinzuke (pickled vegetables) as a side dish felt like it was made in-house, with no hint of store-bought taste. The rice was slightly on the softer side, but also delicious. Finally, I poured the remaining sauce into the bowl with rice and Fukujinzuke, finishing the meal.
It was a flawless lunch, and while 1,200 yen is slightly on the expensive side, it was definitely worth it. After paying the bill, the owner said, "Thank you very much" in a surprisingly cheerful tone, his first words of the day. When I got home and looked at the restaurant's website, it reflected the restaurant's character perfectly, with a well-balanced and elegant description. I must visit again for dinner; there's no doubt about it.