satou1010
Bistro located in Akasaka, Fukuoka. It has been selected as one of the top 100 French restaurants in the west. The location is on the 2nd floor of an apartment building, but it was easy to find from the exterior. I made a reservation a week in advance. On the day of my visit, those who had made reservations in the first round were already at the restaurant, so it is advisable to make a reservation regardless. The food service is slow. However, as the name suggests, alcohol is the main focus, and the menu is very extensive, so the slow service did not feel like a big issue time-wise. Customers typically stay for 3-4 hours. The restaurant has an open kitchen, with about 7 groups of customers present, but it was managed by just 2 people. One person was the chef, and the other assisted with plating and other tasks. Since the service is slow, it is recommended to order a substantial amount at the beginning. The dishes, especially the main courses, were prepared for multiple groups at once. The service was polite, and I had a good impression.
- Egg and potato with mayo: A simple dish with no seasoning, featuring eggs and potatoes, topped with neatly presented mayonnaise. The mayonnaise was homemade with basil and raspberries, giving a refreshing taste with added acidity from the basil, which I personally enjoyed.
- Cursed pate: A pate made using aged meat left for over 3 weeks. It had a rich taste with a slight junk food feel, making it a good match for alcohol. Most people also ordered bread with it. The dressing on the accompanying vegetables had a distinctive rich flavor with acidity.
- Mexican omelette: An omelette made with spicy homemade chorizo, with chunky vegetables like eggplant for added texture. It was a hearty dish with intense flavors that surprisingly went well with alcohol, making it easy for two people to finish.
- Steak frites: A bistro classic that most customers ordered. It was a half-pound serving, which I found to be a sufficient amount. The menu description alone used a whole page, showing the dedication put into this dish. It was a simple combination of steak and French fries. The meat had a satisfying chewiness, releasing umami with each bite. It also tasted great with mustard.
There were fewer spirits available at the bar, with a focus on whiskies, a wide selection of wines, and absinthe, which I think were chosen to complement the rich flavors of the dishes. This restaurant is recommended for those who enjoy alcohol and want to drink plenty of it. If you're not a big drinker, going with someone who is can help you enjoy without worrying, as ordering a bottle is equivalent to 6 servings. The dishes were all generous in portion, and although I wanted to try more items, I couldn't. I would like to visit again.