ajisava
I visited KINOE in Ebisu - Kinoe. This place is located next to Goroshita, where I had visited before, so I could easily find it, but for first-time visitors, the location might be a bit confusing. This area has seen new buildings constructed in the past 2-3 years, attracting stylish and delicious restaurants. The interior of KINOE is small but well-organized, with a casual Western-style décor dominated by white. On this day, we were seated in a private room and opted for the chef's recommended course for dinner.
The dishes included:
- "Seiko Crab Soup": A bouillabaisse with female snow crab soup, featuring flaked crab meat and eggs. It was a refreshing yet rich dish, with the popping texture of crab eggs adding a nice touch.
- "Chiba Prefecture Organic Vegetable Salad with Amberjack, Tuna, and Tilefish": A salad with about 15 types of vegetables and slices of each fish served as carpaccio. The harmony of delicious fish and fresh vegetables, along with freshly baked garlic toast, made the dish disappear smoothly.
- "Cod Milt Meuniere with Red Wine Vinegar": Cod milt meuniere served with mushrooms and spinach, offering a crispy exterior and a tender inside, complemented by the gentle aroma of vinegar.
- "Grilled Amadai with Turnip Sauce": A dish featuring grilled amadai with crispy scales, where the sweet fish meat and crispy scales created a great contrast.
- "Roasted Eel and Taro Sauté with Butter and Smoked Fish Sauce": A dish with eel and taro mille-feuille sandwiched together, showcasing the natural flavor of eel. However, there was a slight noticeable smell.
- "Homemade Karasumi, Edamame, and Shirasu Pasta": A pasta dish with a strong seasoning, possibly designed to pair well with wine, although it was quite salty. It was delicious despite being borderline salty.
- "Roasted Ezo Deer with White Asparagus and Bamboo Shoots": A simple yet delicious combination of roasted Ezo deer with crispy bamboo shoots and white asparagus, served with a warm and comforting bamboo shoot soup.
- "Freshly Baked Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Ice Cream": A classic combination of fondant chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream, providing a comforting and flavorful end to the meal.
Overall, KINOE maintains a high level of quality in both its cuisine and service while exuding a casual atmosphere. It feels welcoming without being cheap, creating a cozy and inviting dining experience. The chef is said to be the same as the one at the previously visited Ebisu Ricos Kitchen, and while the impression of the cuisine remains similar, the composition and elements of the dishes were exceptionally well-balanced this time.