bottan
I read the review by "Sekinori" in September 2012 and thought, "This place is definitely a winner, there's no way it could be a disappointment. Let's try it next time." Today was the perfect opportunity for a solo meal in Kagurazaka, so I decided to go without a reservation. If it was full, I could always go somewhere else. Looking at the map, I headed towards "Oishinbo"... This area is so lovely, with several charming looking restaurants. I almost changed my mind and went somewhere else, but I resisted the temptation and went to "Oishinbo." The restaurant was surrounded by a black fence, giving it a charming appearance. Although I didn't like the fact that various menu items were posted outside. The interior was nice, probably because it used to be an old teahouse, giving it a unique atmosphere. Luckily, there was a seat available at the counter. They had a wide variety of sake options, but for some reason, I always look at the sake menu first. The staff was waiting for orders behind me, so I quickly looked at the food menu. I remembered the "Nombei Tsumami Set" mentioned in Sekinori's review and decided to go for that. It's not on the menu and doesn't have a name, Sekinori named it. The chef selects 6-7 items and serves them on a tray, like a bento box. The set included dishes like "Miso-marinated bonito," "Shime sanma with grated daikon," "Suna liver steamed in sauce," and more. All perfect for a drinker like me. I couldn't resist and ended up drinking 3 cups of sake. I also ordered "Grilled sea urchin" with chestnut, dried persimmon, and walnut bonito flakes. The chef, Goto-san, was friendly, and the staff were always smiling and attentive. I really liked this place, whether dining alone or with my wife. I'll definitely come back with her next time, she'll love it too. I'm quite drunk now, so I should probably leave. Thank you for the delicious meal.