kuma(^-^)
YAKITORI Aoi in Kagurazaka, known for its competitive yakitori scene, is where I visited this time. It was a Saturday night, and even with a same-day reservation, there were quite a few available seats. Unlike focusing solely on yakitori, this place seems to have a concept of enjoying wine as well, with many dishes that pair well with wine in addition to yakitori skewers. This time, we opted for a course that allows us to enjoy both.
- Aoi Course 5,280 yen
- Appetizer: Eggplant and Tomato Basil Marinade
- First Skewers: Ume Shiso Grilled Chicken Breast, Seseri Skewer, Hatsu Skewer
- Meat and Vegetable Platter: Corn Mousse, Seasonal Vegetable Quiche, Chicken Liver Pate
- Second Skewers: Ginkgo Skewer, Eggplant Skewer
- One Dish: Chicken Terrine with White Sauce
- Third Skewers: Liver Skewer, Stomach Skewer
- Meal: Grilled Rice Ball, Chicken Soup
The yakitori was delicious. The seasoning was just right, and the grilling was spot on, making the skewers juicy. Among the yakitori places in the Kagurazaka area, I think this place ranks high. However, the non-yakitori dishes that come out in between are quite challenging... Since the restaurant emphasizes wine, I can understand the intention to pair the food accordingly, and everything was tasty, but the yakitori is so authentic that it can be confusing with the other dishes. The portions are also generous, making it easy to get full quickly, which can be a dilemma when you want to enjoy a lot of yakitori. If you want to enjoy delicious yakitori, I recommend going for the Yakitori Omakase course or ordering individual skewers. If you're looking to have a date night with wine and a little bit of yakitori on the side, then this course is a good choice.