杉並親方
It's so cold. Today, I had a day off and went for a human check-up at the usual time. I always feel sleepy after having my blood drawn, so as soon as I got home, I dived into bed! Oh, taking a nap during the day on a weekday is the best. And tonight, I get to enjoy yakitori in my hometown, Asagaya, what a great holiday. Today, I went to Asagaya Birdland alone. I made a reservation about a month ago through Ichigeki Restaurant. I've lived in Asagaya for about 20 years, and I knew about Birdland, but for some reason, I had never been there. When I was younger, I didn't see the value in yakitori courses made with local chicken if they were cheap and had a good portion. But now, with age and experience, I thought I might appreciate the real value of Birdland, which led me to visit today.
Today's Lineup:
B Course: Appetizers (●) 7 dishes, Grilled items (★) 9 skewers, Oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl), Chicken soup, Dessert
● Gizzard simmered in soy sauce
● Cold tofu
● Crispy fried chicken wings
● Homemade liver pate
★ Chicken tenderloin with wasabi
★ Gizzard with salt
★ Ginkgo nuts
★ Chicken skin with a hint of prickly ash
● Nanohana (rapeseed flower) ohitashi (boiled and seasoned greens)
★ Liver with a rare touch
★ Chicken breast with sauce
● Grilled cheese with bamboo shoots
★ Chicken meatball skewer
★ Shiitake mushroom on skewer
● Yuzu-flavored Chinese cabbage
★ Negima (chicken and green onion skewer)
Oyakodon and soup
Pudding made with Oyakodon chicken eggs
Wow, it was so delicious. The appetizers were perfectly seasoned, and they were well incorporated between the grilled items. The dish with bamboo shoots was particularly memorable, inspired by a dairy product called "Sato" combined with wild plants that the head chef had at a Kyoto restaurant. The bitterness of the bamboo shoots was canceled out by the cheese, and the perfect balance of saltiness and richness made it a delightful dish, which I thought would go well with wine for those who drink. I'm a lightweight, so I drank a lot of grape juice. The grilled items were mainly seasoned with salt, but the saltiness was adjusted according to the part, bringing out the umami and richness of the ingredients. The attention to detail in grilling techniques, skewering, and adjusting the heat was fascinating. It's the accumulation of fine skills and dedication that creates this taste. I was observing the grill, and they were changing the brush used for brushing while grilling different parts (I couldn't figure out what it was), and the timing and placement of the grilled items were being switched, which was also interesting to see. The simpler it looks, the more difficult it actually is, right? And above all, the attentive service without any distinction between a solo diner like me and regular customers was wonderful. The subtle consideration was impressive. You can enjoy it as a solo diner, but I definitely want to share this restaurant's excellence with my partner, that's what I thought. I left the restaurant feeling happy and satisfied in both heart and stomach. I'll be back! Thank you for the meal♪
Today's bill: ¥9,800 (Course fee + 3 glasses of grape juice, table charge)