〆たか〆
At the far end of distant memories, I once enjoyed a duck course in Azabu-Juban in the past. I remember it had a Chinese theme, where you could savor delicious dishes little by little. I discovered this sister restaurant by chance, and I wonder if this is the main branch. The theme here is sukiyaki, with a mix of Japanese and Western influences, allowing you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of duck. Personally, I prefer this restaurant. First and foremost, the duck. Since it is a duck specialty store, the duck itself has to be delicious. The duck they use is called "Sangyo Kamome," a domestic hybrid duck derived from the Challans breed. Some dishes are served in a raw-like state, but there is no hint of any unpleasant smell. The flavor is incredibly rich, and the fat is delicious. The key to the deliciousness of duck meat lies in this healthy fat, and it was truly impressive. I heard that they feed them rice as part of their diet, which is a unique feature. Come to think of it, rice-fed pork is also famous for its lack of odor. Rice is truly versatile. The interior of the restaurant is slightly dim with an adult atmosphere. The open kitchen setup allows you to see the chefs' skillfulness, which is quite refreshing when sitting at the counter. There is also a yakitori-style grilling area, giving off a cozy izakaya kitchen vibe, which is quite comforting. The dishes, like the ones in the Azabu-Juban restaurant, start with duck liver paste in a mini pancake. It's adorable in bite-size portions. Once you try it, you can't help but want to drink wine. The excitement from my previous visit comes flooding back. Next is the assorted appetizers, which are a delightful mix. The standout dish was the "drooling duck," which is like a drooling chicken but with a perfect balance of spiciness and umami. The combination of kumquat and mozzarella was also delicious. Then comes the grilled skewers. They are similar to yakitori, but incredibly tasty. I even thought it would be great if there were a duck meat specialty yakitori shop. Duck fat is said to be very healthy, so I believe it would be amazing. The skewers come in three varieties - breast meat, thigh meat, and meatballs. Each one was uniquely crafted and delightful. Particularly, the seasoning called "Akagarashi" from Yamagata was a first for me, and its addictive flavor had me hooked. Made from chili peppers and rice malt, it was spicy yet remarkably mellow. It was spicy but not overpowering, and it was delicious. Next, I chose the premium dish, which was the seared thigh meat. It was incredibly loaded with green onions, but again, it was delicious. Eating it medium-rare was a sublime experience. I could truly taste the essence of the duck meat. Finally, the main dish was duck sukiyaki. By this point, my stomach was already quite full. Perhaps because I took my time to savor each dish, the main course and the finale followed. The portion was quite substantial. The duck sukiyaki was meticulously prepared by the staff. There's no need to explain the deliciousness of this classic dish. The broth was not too heavy, the fat not too greasy, bringing out the best of the duck. Lastly, there was the sea urchin caviar yukke. Just the name alone exudes luxury. Finishing off with another round of duck, my stomach was about to burst. Mixing it with raw egg was delicious, and the sea urchin melted in your mouth, making it the perfect ending. Finally, dessert. I chose the pudding to wrap up the meal. I believe we could have chosen as many desserts as we wanted, but my stomach was already at its limit. This time, I opted for the wine pairing, and they selected wines that complemented the duck dishes perfectly. Each one was incredibly delicious. This is a restaurant I would love to visit again.