ingridb
Located just north of the Nishi-Azabu intersection, right next to Aoyama Cemetery, is Yamazaki. This was my first visit, and the restaurant features a counter with 9 seats arranged in an L shape, with a central preparation area and plating station set up in a circular layout. The owner, Mr. Yamazaki, greeted us warmly. The meal began with everyone present, and we were served a series of dishes including sea urchin, sea bream, corn caviar, seaweed, crab, sandfish, snow peas, clam, cucumber, belt fish, sesame, potato, beef, watercress, eggplant, somen noodles, water shield, sweetfish, knotweed, eel, plum, almond, and meringue. The drinks included Kido, Muryozan Junmai Ginjo 2022, Sando, Jinenjo Yamadanishiki 2022, Asahitaka Special Honjozo, and Eshikoto Plum Wine 2021. Three notable features of the meal were the absence of sashimi and simmered dishes, the generous portion sizes, and the unique culinary creations that incorporated elements from various cuisines. For example, the belt fish spring roll was a global dish with influences from Japan, China, Korea, and France, showcasing a creative and boundary-pushing approach to cooking. The staff were efficient and pleasant, and the selection of alcohol was impressive, offering both familiar and new discoveries. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience with a positive atmosphere. I had a great time and would love to visit again in the future. (Side note: When I mentioned to one of the apprentices that I followed them on Instagram, they were pleasantly surprised.)