タケマシュラン
"Located in a residential area on the way from Karasuma Oike to Nijo Castle, 'Nijo Castle Furuta' is just a 5-minute walk from Nijo Castle Mae Station. The building appears to be a renovated old Machiya, giving off a very Kyoto dining vibe. The interior is stripped of all unnecessary elements, with a counter seating for 5-6 people and a single table. It seems to be run by a couple, and reservations are taken with plenty of flexibility. Chef Kohei Furuta, originally from Shiga Prefecture, honed his skills at places like 'Shinowakuden,' 'Yukimura,' and 'Gion Okada' before opening this restaurant in his 30s. The restaurant has been awarded 1 Michelin star and a Bronze Medal on Tabelog. The drink menu does not list prices, which can be a bit intimidating. I wonder why Japanese restaurants (such as Japanese cuisine, sushi, tempura, etc.) tend to avoid specifying the prices of alcohol. It seems that if prices were clearly stated, customers would be more likely to drink within their budget, ultimately increasing sales.
Starting with white asparagus, the dish presents the ingredient in a straightforward manner, with a thick size and a well-jackrolled texture. The sauce, incorporating seaweed, shows a good sense of taste, almost reminiscent of French cuisine. Next, a tempura dish of mountain vegetables and white fish topped with homemade karasumi. The unique bitterness of the mountain vegetables blends with the umami of karasumi, making it a delightful dish that goes well with sake. The clam soup features Hamaguri from the same region as Nishino Kana, with a rich metallic aroma. The soup is boldly seasoned with salt, leaving a memorable taste. The sashimi consists of Tai from Akashi and Uni from Yamaguchi. This Tai is delicious, boasting a satisfying texture and elegant umami with each bite. The Isaki from the Goto Islands is lightly seared on the skin side, resulting in a semi-raw state. The crispy skin and juicy fat, combined with a multi-layered texture and flavor, create a complex taste experience. The Ayu from Lake Biwa and bamboo shoots from Oharano are a standout dish, showcasing a clear, unadulterated flavor with a distinct earthy aroma. The Wagyu fillet with Hanazansho pairs well with the refreshing fragrance of Hanazansho, complemented by the spring-like flavor of rapeseed flowers. As a bonus, a piece of karasumi was presented as we were drinking sake. The generous-sized kamaboko-shaped karasumi was irresistibly delicious with sake. The fish dish featured Kinmedai, prepared in a French-style sauce made with white miso and garnished with fragrant sakura shrimp. While delicious, the dish was slightly too rich, overshadowing the flavor of the fish. The meal concluded with firefly squid and bamboo shoot takikomi rice. The ingredients were tasty, and the rice was well-seasoned, making it a dish that could be enjoyed on its own or paired with sake. For dessert, a large strawberry was served with lemon ice cream (or gelato) and mikan. The strawberry, a variety called 'Marihime' from Wakayama, was as big as an adult male's nose, and it was simply delicious to eat as is. After enjoying all these dishes and some drinks, the bill came out to 33,000 yen per person. While I wish it were a bit cheaper, considering the need for a certain quantity and quality of ingredients to highlight their flavors, this price point seems reasonable. In contrast to the flashy, over-the-top Japanese restaurants in Minato-ku that top Uni with truffles and caviar, this restaurant offers a straightforward and robust taste experience. It may not be flashy, but for those who want to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine that showcases the ingredients, this is the place to go."