くのっちょ
[November 2011 Update]
It has been a while since my last visit, and it seems that the menu has changed somewhat compared to before. Okinawan dishes that were previously available have been removed, and instead, dishes using local Hokkaido ingredients are more prominent now. Embracing the trend of using local produce is, in a sense, a correct choice. However, while fried and grilled dishes are fairly well represented, the seafood options seem somewhat lacking. On the other hand, the variety of drink options on the menu is quite impressive, with around 10 types of plum wine, 8 types of highball, 3 types of wine, about 20 types of premium shochu and sake each, around 30 types of cocktails, and 10 types of first-class shochu sours, totaling close to 100 varieties. The only weakness is in the beer selection, with only one type each of draft beer, canned beer, and non-alcoholic beer, making it quite a sparse lineup. The taste of each dish is decent, the portion sizes are good, the prices are reasonable, and while there is no outstanding feature, the overall balance is good in my personal opinion. The restaurant also offers private reservations for gatherings, and being located within a hotel provides a sense of security, making it a place that can be easily visited.
[April 2007 First Visit]
Located within the "Hotel Wing International Chitose," this restaurant is part of the several Wing hotels across the country, including Chitose. The setup is like a typical Western-style izakaya, with counter seats and semi-private table seats. The semi-private setup, with high partitions between seats, provides privacy and is suitable for couples. However, it may make it harder for the staff to keep an eye on customers, but each table is equipped with a call button, so there are no issues. While the food menu is not particularly extensive, there are unique menu items with original designs. What's interesting is the abundance of Ryukyu cuisine menus in Chitose, Hokkaido. Riding the Okinawa boom, dishes like "Goya Champuru" are understandable, but having "Okinawa Soba" on the menu is rare. The drink menu is quite varied, including a wide range of cocktails. Particularly noteworthy is the extensive variety of plum wine options.