Hyperlocal Tokyo

This kushiage (deep-fried skewers) restaurant is located in the Barneys New York building. The stylish and chic interior is spacious and relaxing. This was my first time trying kushiage in Tokyo, and I was so excited to see each ingredient come out one by one. I also loved that you could choose different dipping sauces to match each ingredient! As a special treat, I was given a complimentary selection of all the breads because of a small work collaboration. Everything was absolutely delicious! Thank you so much! I was also happy to see that there were several dessert options, and the non-alcoholic drinks were also carefully curated. I appreciated the attention to detail in every aspect of the course.

The skewers were delicious, truly delicious. However, the system and service were a bit... lacking. First, there was no drink menu. There were two sommeliers, so they were constantly pushing wine and champagne. The prices were not disclosed unless you asked. There were only three types of whiskey. When I asked for water without ice to take medication, it cost around 700 yen, but it was taken away without my knowledge even though there was still some left. The female service staff had a very quiet voice and I couldn't hear her every time. She also only gave the bare minimum of explanations. The speaker in the store was broken, or maybe they were using a speaker placed on a table in the seating area and playing music from an iPhone. It was completely out of place for the price range of the restaurant. It was unfortunate because it was the first thing you saw when you entered the store. The food was delicious, but everything else was disappointing. I wouldn't want to go back. It might be fine for people who don't care about the price at all.

I used this restaurant for a sudden dinner in Ginza at night. I don't like fried food, but it was the only place that was open... It was open even though it was the middle day of a three-day weekend. I was able to get in without a reservation. The menu is one set with 20 skewers that are all chosen for you. You can stop if you have too much, and you can add more if you need it. You don't know what will come out (although you can ask, I think). And the meal comes with bread! That was a surprise. You choose your favorite bread and they warm it up for you. I ate 20 skewers, I forgot to take a picture of the second one (laughs). I was full!

【Lunch, Weekends & Holidays, 1 Person】 I made a reservation for the 12-skewer plan at ¥7,980. Naturally, since I don't eat this often, I had high expectations given the price. The kushiage (deep-fried skewers) were crispy and light, showcasing the freshness of the ingredients. Everything was delicious. Personally, I really enjoyed the fresh vegetables that you eat with your hands. Freshness really makes a difference! The celebratory sparkling wine and the final espresso were both very satisfying. Having a large strawberry served like this was a unique experience. While counter seating is actually preferable for kushiage, the proximity to the neighboring table was surprisingly close for the price. Especially if the neighbors are foreign tourists who aren't familiar with Japanese etiquette, the atmosphere can be a bit off. It's a matter of luck. One thing I noticed was that the kushiage chef was very attentive and friendly, striking a perfect balance. However, the male staff member who served us and handled the floor service lacked in terms of service. I won't go into details since it's in the past, but I feel they should be more aware of being observed. I'm offering this criticism for their improvement. They have other branches in the chain, so I'd like to try those as well.

20 skewers, one beer, and two highballs cost 27,000 yen. The highballs were only Yamazaki 12-year and Hibiki 17-year. Why? Because it's a place that pairs wine with skewers. The first 10 skewers were okay, but the latter half, especially the vegetables, were inedible. I don't understand how these skewers go with wine. Ultimately, it's a place that makes its profit from alcohol. I won't be going back.