トム
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Revisiting the off-meeting, we thought of having a drink with the zin couple for a bit, and the place we decided on turned out to be more than just a place for a drink, it was like a late-night diner kind of restaurant. Despite being nearby, it had been almost a year since our last visit. "Sorry for not coming by sooner, Master," he greeted us warmly as always. Last time, it was full, but this time it was surprisingly empty depending on the time. We were led to a tatami room near the entrance, as tables were not for lingering. "Sorry about that," said the zin couple. The drinks were surprisingly cheap, which was nice. I was about to order a Smirnoff Ice that you can find in supermarkets when the Master asked, "How would you like to drink it?" I realized he meant just the Smirnoff alcohol, not the premixed drink. I ended up choosing the "Sanzashi Sake" after much deliberation. The menu hadn't changed much except for the daily specials. The "Curry Soup" was still there, and I found out that they had been eating the "Future Sweet" last time. So this time, we ordered the "Past" medium-spicy curry, along with various other dishes like two types of cheese - basil cheese and Camembert cheese. The lighting was not ideal, but surprisingly, it came out well in the photos taken this time. I deliberately didn't ask about the "Cheese" and such. The "Meiji Hamburger" - if you ask, it's not a hamburger from the Meiji era. It's more like a self-proclaimed "Cheese Menchi Katsu" with processed cheese inside, and you can choose the sauce from the condiments on the table. However, the "Fried Eggplant with Ponzu" was a surprising dish you wouldn't expect at an izakaya. The large fried eggplant with ponzu sauce was a perfect palate cleanser, with a refreshing taste. I secretly ate this and found my appetite increasing - that's a secret. The "Curry Soup (Past) medium-spicy" was perfect to dip and eat the dishes. It had large, slimy bell peppers in it. The chicken was like Tachiaji-age with a crispy coating and a juicy inside. It wasn't spicy, but the spices were just right. The "Chicken Karaage" was impressive in terms of both quantity and size. The chicken with a thick coating was crispy and juicy inside. After eating it all, I felt my jaw muscles getting a workout. The "Showa-style Napolitan" had a light ketchup flavor, more like how an old man from the Showa era would make it. The tomato flavor was stronger than the acidity of the ketchup, which I preferred. Occasionally, the sticky Napolitan with strong acidity makes my mouth hurt halfway through. When I eat this, I feel like having the "Taisho Meat Sauce" and the "Heisei-style Peperoncino" next. The "Meiji Carbonara" might be a bit too much to ask for. When I looked around the restaurant carefully, I noticed some items related to "electricity," which gave it a unique charm. When I asked to take a photo together, the Master enthusiastically adjusted the lighting and said, "I'm ready for my close-up." It was a good day with the shop and the people I want to cherish. Thank you, Master, zin couple, for everything.
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First Visit
Located a bit away from the back approach to Maruyama, this mysterious shop has a peculiar atmosphere with a shopkeeper and an older sister who seem to have come from another planet. Their unique personalities blend seamlessly with the strange ambiance of the shop. The interior is dimly lit, resembling a retro coffee shop, but the handmade retro menu items with cryptic words like "space food," "Second Manchuria Yaki," and "Hanburger" don't feel out of place at all. When I asked about them, I received straightforward answers, so I cautiously ordered the "Space�" and the "Second Manchuria Yaki." To my surprise, they were exactly as described. The shop had a unique charm, and the oddities didn't feel out of place at all.