namakemonne
Once seated, the chef begins by introducing the ingredients before starting the cooking process. This creates an anticipation and excitement about the upcoming dishes. The course starts with a greeting from the manager, Mr. Fukuda, and an introduction to the chef, adding to the excitement of the live cooking experience. The menu for today's course is as follows:
1. A dish of rich shrimp senbei topped with smoked almond cream and caviar. The flavors are so delicious that one might feel overwhelmed from the very first bite.
2. Abalone, steamed for about 4 hours in abalone broth, coated with rice flour and fried until crispy. The sauce, extracted from the green liver only, adds a beautiful color. The dish is a delight for abalone lovers, with a rich taste and a satisfying depth of flavor.
3. Bagna Cauda - a steak of thick and juicy eggplant topped with karasumi (bottarga) and generously coated with Bagna Cauda sauce. The sauce is so delicious that one might be tempted to clean the plate, known as "scarpeta," a less refined but instinctive way to savor every bit of the sauce.
4. Focaccia - Bread dough crushed in front of you, drizzled with rosemary olive oil, and baked until crispy outside and chewy inside. The temptation to ask for seconds is strong, but considering the entire course, it requires careful consideration of one's stomach capacity.
5. Grilled five-flavor striped horse mackerel and pig trotter croquette with truffle sauce. A dish that allows you to savor umami, bitterness, acidity, sweetness, and saltiness all at once. Combining all the ingredients in one bite enhances the overall experience.
6. Piadina - Mozzarella cheese, watercress, prosciutto, and three types of cheese sandwiched between tortilla-like skins. A light snack for locals but made extraordinary with the inclusion of the finest prosciutto, making it a delightful experience.
7. Tsubugai (whelk) Tagliolini - Flat pasta with generous portions of whelk. The Tariolini pasta, combined with a broth-infused sauce, creates a delicious dish.
8. Acqua Pazza - Unlike the traditional fish stew, this Acqua Pazza features charcoal-grilled kinki (thornhead fish) immersed in a transparent soup concentrated with umami. The grilled Man'yoji chili pepper on top adds complexity to the simple yet flavorful dish.
9. Palate Cleanser - Grapefruit and basil granita.
10. North Satsuma Beef Fillet - North Satsuma beef, known for its strong umami, with a perfect sear. Served with a gratin of zucchini and tomato with herb-infused breadcrumbs, providing another delicious element to the meal.
11. Finale - A spaghetti dish with tomato and mozzarella, allowing a simple yet satisfying end to the course. Despite a full stomach, it is irresistible.
12. Peach Dessert - The first dessert includes caramelized peaches, peach and vinegar ice cream, and yogurt powder.