井手上 真樹
Every year, among numerous restaurants that garner attention, there are some that solidify an unwavering position and continue to captivate customers. These restaurants excel in their concepts and targeting, attracting the desired clientele and keeping them coming back. One such restaurant that cannot be left out of the discussion in the world of yakiniku gatherings is "Nishi-Azabu Yakiniku X," referred to as TEN. The X represents the pinnacle, the top, and since its opening in 2019, it has reigned at the peak of Tokyo's meat industry, and therefore, Japan's peak. X has many fans and is an aspirational place for many people. This was my second visit, and to be able to visit a restaurant like this before I die is a rare opportunity, given the limited number of such high-end establishments and the scarcity of chances to dine at restaurants in this price range. That's why it's a platinum seat that needs to be treasured. The excitement one feels at a restaurant like this is truly incredible. From seeing the X sign at the entrance and wanting to take a photo to the weighty selection of wines, the dungeon-like interior behind a hidden door. The exclusivity of only four groups allowed at a time, private rooms only, luxurious ingredients, skilled craftsmen selecting the ingredients, creative ideas turning them into dishes, entertaining guests without leaving anyone out, impeccable service, the list of admirable aspects is endless, making it a restaurant that engages all five senses. Visiting this restaurant is something to boast about. Although it's not cheap, when it comes to dining at special occasions, you can recommend X with confidence. This time, too, I was in high spirits during my visit. The top-quality "Tajima-Gen" with a perfect balance of fat and lean, low melting point and non-greasy fat for an irresistibly good mouthfeel. The dedicated griller attending to each private room ensures that you can enjoy the top-quality meat at its best condition, bringing a sense of satisfaction without any burden after eating your fill of meat. The course I had this time was as follows:
<Dishes> Course Chuzo 17 items 38,500 yen (including tax) Service charge 10% - Consomme: ultimate consomme soup extracted over 55 hours - Seasonal vegetables: homemade kimchi, water kimchi, okra, Kobe beef raw ham, bitter gourd, and yellow zucchini - Tajima-Gen Yukke: a signature dish - Tajima beef tongue: homemade lemon salt - Tajima beef tongue grilled: with green onion sauce and freshly squeezed sesame oil - Thick-sliced Tajima beef tongue: centered around black tongue - Salad: apple, salted kombu, red vinegar, sesame oil - Tajima-Gen Burger Sandwich: Echire butter, teriyaki sauce, and spicy mustard mayonnaise - Tajima-Gen liver - Tajima shabu-shabu: beef bone soup and bonito broth - Tajima beef fillet: salt sauce - Tajima beef harami: homemade soy sauce - Tajima-Gen premium kalbi triangle belly: homemade soy sauce - Tajima-Gen loin: with a raw egg yolk - Cold noodles: with green chili pepper, hebes fruit juice, and beef bone sherbet noodles incorporating beef cheek - Motsu mabushi: beef offal (tongue, small intestines, tripe) Donabe rice, grape sansho, garlic chips, and a dashi broth - Gelato: makgeolli, shine muscat, sesame
<Drinks> Alcohol Pairing 11,000 yen (including tax) Service charge 10% - Champagne: Gatinois Pinot Noir - Sake: Nichinichi - White wine: Engelgarten/Marcel Deiss 2018 Riesling grape blend - Aged liquor: a 50-year-old, sweet-smelling, luxurious drink savored during the liver course, 1974 - Red wine: Saint-Joseph L'offre/Francois Villard 2011 - Red wine: Nuits-Saint-Georges/Monjalet Mouleyre 2018 Non-Alcohol Pairing included: - Fresh juice of precious melon 100% - Sweet tea from Uji, Kyoto - Homemade tea - Homemade sangria.