koutagawa
(2022.05.11) I once tried to make a reservation for a casual meal at the renowned meat restaurant "Nishishin Hatsuki" in Nishishin Shotengai, but unfortunately, they were fully booked and I had to give up. I had been hoping to visit this place, so I was a bit disappointed. The building had a grand entrance, with the first floor serving yakiniku, the second floor serving shabu-shabu, and the third floor serving motsunabe. I had intended to try the "lunch set" on the first floor, but since it was fully booked even on a weekday after the holidays, I was directed to a private room on the second floor after a long red carpet walk. It felt a bit lonely dining alone in the private room, but the sunken kotatsu-style table allowed me to relax comfortably. I ordered the "Black Wagyu Beef Yakiniku Don," which consisted of rice topped with stir-fried vegetables such as cabbage, bean sprouts, onions, and chives, with thinly sliced beef on top. I opted for the "extra meat" option, and the generous amount of meat was satisfying, although I couldn't taste the sweetness of the cabbage for some reason. The waitress in traditional Japanese attire asked if I wanted a free extra serving of rice, but I politely declined, which turned out to be the right decision. The portion size was already quite large, almost like a double serving. I was worried if I could finish it all, but the slightly fragrant sansho pepper sauce was delicious, and I managed to clean my plate. For dessert, I had the "Almond Mix Berry Parfait," a rich almond tofu topped with plenty of berry sauce and whipped cream. I initially thought it might be too heavy, but it turned out to be surprisingly refreshing and satisfying. Overall, it was a fulfilling lunch experience.