めいぷる
I had heard from a close friend that a new second branch of Kurosugi-san, where you can enjoy à la carte dishes, had opened. I had been wanting to visit this place, and finally made a reservation for 7:00 pm on a weekday with my sushi-loving girlfriends.
Location:
Located along Route 2, it is easily accessible from Umeda underground shopping area. Just take the exit for "Kitanozaurus" near the JR Kitashinchi station, and you'll find it right away. It's convenient being so close to the underground shopping area!
Interior:
Located on the 10th floor of the building, the entrance exudes a sense of tranquility and sophistication. Upon entering, you'll find a unique counter and a bright and spacious atmosphere. There are two course options and an à la carte menu. As we are getting older and have smaller appetites, we opted for the 8,800 yen course, which includes one appetizer and 12 pieces of nigiri.
Food:
- Appetizer: Marinated squid
- Nigiri: Red snapper, horse mackerel, yellowtail, marinated tuna, ark shell, sweet shrimp marinated in miso, cured mackerel, medium fatty tuna with salmon roe, red clam, conger eel, egg
- Soup (clam and white miso)
- Additional dishes: Sea urchin, steamed egg custard sushi
The rice was firm and vinegared, and the nigiri pieces were beautifully presented. The seared red snapper had a delicate balance of flavors, while the horse mackerel surprised us with its lightness. The yellowtail was tender and flavorful, and the marinated tuna had a rich taste. The ark shell was sweet and delightful, and the sweet shrimp marinated in miso had a unique aroma. The cured mackerel was sharp and refreshing, and the medium fatty tuna melted in the mouth. The red clam was delicate and delicious, and the conger eel had a subtle smoky flavor. The sea urchin was rich and elegant, and the steamed egg custard sushi was a unique combination of flavors.
Overall, the experience was delightful, and the fact that you can enjoy a meal for under 10,000 yen is a plus. The option to enjoy each nigiri piece individually is also a great feature. I often struggle to finish a full sushi course, so this style of dining was perfect for me.