こぐまの森
Long time no see, Ishinohana. I used to frequent bars in Shibuya because I lived along the Tokyu line. Ishinohana has always been famous, and I've been there a few times in the past. Back then, I was still learning the ropes of drinking at bars. Of course, I'm still on a journey of liquor exploration, but I've got about 20 years of experience under my belt. How does Ishinohana look now, revisiting it after all this time? I ordered the Strawberry and Scotch Whisky Highball at the Sofia counter and had two drinks in 30 minutes. Ah, that's right... I vaguely remember. Here, cocktails reign supreme. They have a proper menu that's easy to understand, with a wide variety and many originals to choose from. There's also the joy of trying award-winning cocktails. Especially the fruit-based ones are delicious. Needless to say, the skill level is top-notch. The combination of ingredients is enjoyable, and the landing is satisfying without overwhelming with alcohol. Yeah, it's still delicious. But why didn't I come to this bar more often? I'm starting to remember. It's crowded because it's popular. The lighting is bright, not very cozy. With a menu, communication with the owner is scarce. Despite having a considerable number of customers, the operation is efficient, minimizing stress. But as a result, the owner is fully occupied with making cocktails, and there's no chance for a chat. It's a really great bar, but it's just not what I was looking for. Well, in the end, I just wanted attention, huh? Laughing at myself... I finished my drink quickly and left. Oh, but it's still a good bar, that's for sure. Lately, I've found it quite enjoyable to purposely visit bars I've been to before but didn't frequent. You can understand things you didn't grasp back then or feel the changes in the establishment. The joy of the place continuing to exist.