あさんて
Blog "Tokyu Line, Food Walk" https://asante.blog/ ---- Even though it's already mid-September, the lingering summer heat made me crave for some meat, so I decided to head to Ikebukuro. When it's hot, I always feel like eating meat. We visited the restaurant on a weekend evening, making an early reservation. Inside the restaurant, there was a black-themed decor with 10 counter seats, and we settled in one corner of the counter. Despite the early hour, several customers were already there, showing that it's a popular place. The head chef is Mr. Ishikawa. He is still young, but his gentle and caring demeanor was evident in his service, and his personality shone through in the meticulous dishes. Thanks to him, we were able to thoroughly enjoy both the food and the conversation. Now, we ordered the "Asahi Course". It's a luxurious course featuring not only Japanese beef but also abalone, foie gras, tiger prawn, and even oysters on that day. ■ Asahi Course 19,800 yen [Appetizers] - Scallop and summer vegetables with peach sauce - Seafood tart - Cauliflower mousse, consomme soup - Watercress salad with onion dressing [Seasonal fish specialty] - Oyster gratin style [Tiger prawn] - Tiger prawn just fried from the tank [Foie gras] - French toast with caramelized banana [Abalone teppanyaki] - Abalone, liver, tiger prawn senbei [Danish burger and homemade pickles] - Chunky hamburger texture [Palate cleanser] - Blueberry and yogurt granita [Black beef steak <Chateaubriand and sirloin comparison>] - Hitachi beef A5 rank black beef [Garlic rice or omelette rice] - Garlic rice - Omelette rice [Dessert] - Melon sherbet and coconut ice cream [Coffee] - Coffee ■ Drinks - GARGERY limited to restaurants 1,100 yen x2 - Highball Yamazaki 1,100 yen - Yamazaki barrel plum soda split 880 yen - Highball Hakushu 990 yen ---- We started with a toast with the restaurant-exclusive beer "GARGERY". Since it's not available in many places, whenever I see it on the menu, I can't help but order it. We enjoyed the rich beer in a beautiful glass. The meal began with the "appetizers". The plate featured scallop, seafood tart, cauliflower mousse, and salad, not only visually appealing but also uplifting. Especially, the "cauliflower mousse" was meticulously pureed, topped with consomme sauce made by letting it sit, and caviar on top, enhancing the unique flavor of cauliflower. I felt that the sauces were particularly delicious in each dish, and it made sense when I found out that the executive chef has a French background. The other dishes also included cheese, French toast, and other elements of French cuisine, making it a place where you can enjoy French elements as well. Next, the "oyster gratin style" featured "Oyster from Ooishima Island in Oita Prefecture", which is not usually available in Kyushu, but luckily they were able to obtain it on that day. This gratin was a luxurious treat, with several cheeses sprinkled on top and baked with a burner, served piping hot. The texture of the finely chopped paprika, along with the oyster, made for a luxurious gratin. The "tiger prawn" was brought out fresh from the tank in the restaurant. Since it had just been in seawater, no additional seasoning was necessary, and the freshness was evident, conveying its deliciousness directly. It was skillfully cooked, especially when peeling the shell, showing the chef's expertise. The "foie gras" was served with French toast being prepared next to it, along with banana sauce, and caramelized bananas. Placing the foie gras on top of the French toast created an interesting contrast in textures, and when eaten with the caramelized bananas, banana sauce, and French toast, the soft sweetness of the bananas, the rich foie gras fat, and the French toast balanced well. This place is definitely French... (laughs) Furthermore, a lively "abalone" was presented. It was accompanied by a "yuzu ponzu" that had been aged for a week. Not only the crunchy part of the "abalone" meat but also the liver and tiger prawn senbei were included, creating a luxurious dish.