薬草
I used to live in Kansai over 20 years ago, and there was a Japanese restaurant chain that we considered a "high-class" establishment. We had always admired this high-class restaurant, and when we found out that there was a branch of it in Tokyo, we were intrigued. Especially with the offer of "Shabu-shabu all-you-can-eat for 2,480 yen, half price for elementary school students, free for toddlers", we decided to visit during the Silver Week holiday period as the COVID-19 restrictions were easing. The shabu-shabu all-you-can-eat for 2,480 yen included pork shoulder loin, chicken meatballs, and chicken thigh meat. The variety seemed a bit limited, but there were other courses with beef, sushi, crab, and blowfish at higher prices. However, even the cheapest course included unlimited tempura, sashimi, and other dishes, so we opted for that one. The interior and menu were reminiscent of another restaurant we knew, giving us a nostalgic feeling. We were provided with a private table in a sunken kotatsu style, allowing us to enjoy our meal leisurely. The spacious environment and thorough COVID-19 measures were impressive. It seemed like it had been a while since they had seen so many customers, as some items were sold out. We changed the "shrimp tempura" to "sand lance tempura". The shabu-shabu broth had a Kansai-style taste. The meat quality was satisfying, with the pork shoulder loin having a subtly grilled pork flavor. The chicken thigh meat was cut like for fried chicken, but it tasted fresh and delicious. The chicken meatballs were juicy and tasty. Adding udon noodles to the flavorful broth was a perfect combination. The side dishes of tempura and sashimi were substantial, and although we couldn't eat much shabu-shabu, we were satisfied with the quality. The spacious private room, attentive service, and good value for money made us very happy. Furthermore, despite being a chain restaurant of a decent size, it was part of the AMEX shop small campaign, offering a 30% discount, making it even more affordable.