ノアマンクロウ
This time, the restaurant is [BALCONE SHIBUYA]. Located in Shibuya, this place offers authentic Italian cuisine in a sophisticated and adult atmosphere that you wouldn't expect in Shibuya. It is located along Inokashira Street on the 9th floor of Daiwa SHIBUYA EDGE, and you can only access it through a specific elevator, giving it a hidden gem vibe.
At around 7:30 pm, the spacious and slightly luxurious interior of the restaurant welcomed me. There is also a quite spacious terrace seat with elegant lighting, making it very stylish. I decided to try the [menu BALCONE]. It is a course that includes both fish and meat dishes. I left it to the sommelier to choose my drinks, focusing on the compatibility with the dishes rather than sticking to Italian wines.
The first drink, champagne, and the appetizer of prosciutto arrived. Let's dig in.
- menu BALCONE ¥9000 (Course overview)
- Welcome snack: Prosciutto and seasonal fruits
- Cod espuma with caviar
- Chilled zuppa di with prawns, scallops, and mussels
- Iberico pork and mushroom ragout with tagliatelle
- Salmon miki with basil foam and tapenade sauce
- Smoked lamb with thyme scent
- Lemon cream and tart
- Tea
Prosciutto and seasonal fruits: A luxurious appetizer combining freshly shaved prosciutto with seasonal fruits. The fresh prosciutto has a good balance of saltiness, umami, and a hint of mildness, making it delicious. The seasonal fruit was persimmon, which added a mild sweetness and refreshing aroma that paired well with the prosciutto.
Cod espuma with caviar: Marinated cod with potatoes topped with cod espuma and caviar. The rich flavor and umami of the cod espuma complemented the marinated cod and potatoes perfectly. The saltiness of the caviar added a nice touch.
Chilled zuppa di with prawns, scallops, and mussels: A chilled soup with prawns, scallops, French caviar, mussels, and winter melon, resembling a gelée. The concentrated umami in the chilled soup made every seafood bite incredibly delicious. The wine paired with this dish was the Spanish "Morska Blanco," known for its mineral notes, fruity aroma, and elegant taste that matched the seafood excellently.
Iberico pork and mushroom ragout with tagliatelle: A pasta dish with a ragout sauce made from wine and cream, paired with wide tagliatelle. The refined umami and richness of the sauce were delightful, with a sophisticated red wine flavor. The wine paired with this dish was the "Stratum Pinot Noir" from New Zealand, known for its balanced umami and refreshing grape aroma, which complemented the pasta's richness perfectly.
Salmon miki: Half-cooked salmon served with a foamy basil sauce and tapenade sauce made with black olives. The combination of salmon and basil was a match made in heaven. The zucchini and tapenade sauce added to the deliciousness. The wine paired with this dish was the Studio by Miraval Rosé, which had a salmon pink hue that paired well with the salmon and olive sauce.
Smoked lamb with thyme scent: Roasted smoked lamb with herb sauce and a sauce made from lamb juices. The luscious sweetness of the lamb and the sauce enhanced the aroma and depth of the dish. The wine paired with this dish was the "Domaine Naturaliste" Shiraz from Australia, offering a powerful and typical Shiraz experience.
Overall, the dining experience at [BALCONE SHIBUYA] was exquisite, with each dish and wine pairing beautifully crafted to create a memorable culinary journey.