5160naka
● Visit Date: May 21, 2022 (Saturday) 6:50 PM, Cloudy or Rainy
Address and contact information are not disclosed, reservations are not typically available, but I was able to make one through luck and fate. It was my first visit. There are no signs on the building, just a black corridor with an intercom when you get off the elevator. Press the intercom, state your reservation name, and the door opens! Since it was my first time experiencing such an exclusive establishment, I felt a sense of privilege at this point. There are only 6 seats at the counter, starting all at once at 7:00 PM, with the door opening 15 minutes prior. The interior is a chic space predominantly in black, with a large shelf of firewood behind the seats, a wood-fired oven in the kitchen, and a view of delicious-looking meats in the refrigerator. There is only one course menu available, with four options for pairing courses: a Hybrid Pairing Course (with or without alcohol served according to the dishes), a Wine Pairing Course (all dishes paired with alcoholic beverages), or a Non-Alcoholic Pairing Course. (I heard about a Half Wine Pairing Course starting in April this year, but I forgot to ask for details...) Except for the Half Wine option, all courses are priced uniformly. Naturally, I opted for the All-Alcohol Course! Upon being seated, grissini is served on the table, accompanied by champagne. These grissini are delicious! The champagne goes down smoothly. Now onto the dishes:
- Consommé of Vegetables: A soup made from vegetable scraps, simple in flavor but warms the soul and increases appetite.
- Bagna Cauda: Also simple yet with excellent ingredients, raising expectations with each bite.
- Caprese: Burrata cheese with pickled cherry tomatoes and powdered basil sprinkled on top. The powdered basil, a first for me, is refreshing yet complements the richness of the cheese, perfect with white wine!
- Cauliflower with Caviar: Surprisingly, caviar pairs well with cauliflower!
- Focaccia: Crispy outside, fluffy inside, irresistibly devourable.
- Ravioli? Soup: I got distracted by the focaccia and forgot to ask for details...
- Dish with Trout: I also forgot the details about this one. I apologize...
The white wine was very sweet, pairing perfectly with the dishes.
- Asparagus Omelette: Maximizing the aroma and umami of asparagus, a dish with a strong impact.
- Grilled Conger Eel:
- Pasta with Sakura Shrimp: Sakura shrimp lightly fried, served with thick pasta in a style reminiscent of aglio e olio. The pasta contains whole grain flour, providing a satisfying bite.
- Risotto with Spring Cabbage and Bolognese: The Bolognese is rich, but with the gentle flavor of spring cabbage, it's surprisingly easy to finish despite feeling quite full.
- Beef Tongue and Beef Fillet: Grilled over firewood for maximum flavor! One glass of red wine is not enough!!
- Grilled Banana with Milk Gelato: The banana has just the right amount of sweetness, and the milk gelato, slightly smoky from being smoked, is delicious.
- Tiramisu: Passion fruit is added to the tiramisu, giving it a tanginess I've never tasted before. The texture is also excellent.
- Coffee & Petit Fours: Canneles, miso-infused caramel, biscotti, all pair well with coffee. The chef shows great dedication to the cuisine, constantly striving for improvement. I imagine there will be many new discoveries on my next visit in a few months. Overall, every dish showcases the aroma and flavor of the ingredients to the fullest, and it's a place where the meaning of pairing becomes clear once again. The dishes and wines together form a single masterpiece! I definitely plan to revisit this establishment. While the prices are high, it's motivation to work hard and earn another visit! I'm sure there are others who feel the same way!