Hyperlocal Tokyo

I arrived 10 minutes before my reservation time. I was made to wait for 10 minutes in a dark wine cellar area located at the back of the elevator hall. During the meal, the restaurant was using empty seats as a waiting area for their sister restaurant, and I saw the translator and the chef exchanging business cards. This kind of service is unacceptable for a restaurant at this price point. The meat was indeed delicious, but I question whether it was worth the price. Most of the customers were foreign tourists in casual attire, so I wonder if they are targeting inbound tourists with their pricing. There are countless restaurants in Tokyo that offer better food and service for this price, so I don't see any reason to choose this place.

I visited this place for the first time on a weekday evening at 6 PM for a business dinner. The counter was only occupied by one other group of two people. It felt a bit lonely until around 7 PM, when it suddenly became packed. It was a relief to see the place bustling with activity. The highlight of the meal was definitely the **Kobe Beef Tartare on Baguette**. The crispy, fragrant baguette perfectly complemented the sweetness of the beef tartare and the generous amount of caviar. This dish alone made the trip worthwhile. After that, we had a variety of dishes, including **Tajima Beef Tongue**, **Omi Beef Tongue**, **Tajima Beef Liver with Aioli**, **Sirloin with Full Moon Egg**, **Kobe Beef Beef Stew**, and **Matsuzaka Beef Upper Brisket**. It was a feast for the eyes, but for an older gentleman like me, it was quite a lot of food. Personally, I think I would have been more satisfied if I had ordered three of the Tartare and then the Omi Beef Tongue. Unless you have a lot of money to spend, I recommend sticking to the standard drinks. The food is delicious and worth the price. I enjoyed the meal. Next time, I'll try the nearby Nikuya Tanaka. Thank you for the delicious food!

This yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant, specializing in kaiseki (multi-course Japanese cuisine), has expanded from Nagoya. Since opening in Ginza GEMS, it has received rave reviews from foodie friends. I was excited to finally visit. The restaurant has a long counter with only 16 seats. It was naturally packed on a Friday night for dinner. Here's what I had: * Kobe beef tartare with caviar * Beef soup * Tongue * Fillet * Chili pepper sashimi * Sirloin grilled sukiyaki style * Fillet with scallions, salt and pepper * Fruit tomato salad * Misuji (shoulder clod) * Haneshi (flank steak) served in a bowl * Yuzu cold noodles * Harami (skirt steak) with sauce * Assorted offal * Curry rice * Almond tofu * Taiwanese oolong tea The chef expertly grills each cut of meat and serves it on a plate. This night, we enjoyed a course featuring Kobe beef and Tajima beef, focusing on the meat from start to finish. This was the first time I've experienced a course that so deeply explores the different cuts of meat and their unique characteristics. Every piece of meat was beautifully cooked to perfection. The simple seasonings, like salt, wasabi, mustard, and soy sauce, were perfectly paired with each cut. The marbling, the richness and sweetness of the fat, and the texture were all exceptional. The salads, kimchi, and the final curry, which perfectly captured the essence of the meat, were all fantastic. The portions were generous, but the high quality of the meat made for a light and satisfying meal. Despite the rain, it was a perfect Friday night dinner!

The Allure of a Simple Restaurant I recently visited "Setsugekka" in Ginza! The restaurant is located on the 9th floor of GICROS GINZA GEMS, a short distance south of the Sukiyabashi Crossing. Without further ado, here are my thoughts! While it's a yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant, each dish is a culinary masterpiece, leaving me deeply impressed. The pepper seasoning, the accompanying lemon and sudachi (a type of citrus fruit), the scallions – every element plays a perfect supporting role, culminating in an exquisite dish that couldn't be improved upon. I was curious about how they achieved such incredible flavors, so I asked the chef. He was willing to share, but it's a trade secret, so you'll have to visit the restaurant to experience it for yourself. On this particular occasion, I had the rare opportunity to savor a 50-month-old female cow. It was the most delicious meat I've ever tasted. The fat melted in my mouth, yet I didn't feel any heaviness in my stomach, allowing me to enjoy it to the very last bite. The chef mentioned that such a rare cut doesn't come around often, so I felt incredibly fortunate to have been there on that special day. Incidentally, the restaurant's name, "Setsugekka," translates to "snow, moon, and flower." It represents the quintessential beauty of nature in each season: winter snow, autumn moon, and spring flowers. The restaurant's counter offers a view that evokes this elegant and refined atmosphere. I highly recommend experiencing the flavors for yourself. Dishes I Enjoyed [Omakase Course / ¥27,500] ◆ Kobe Beef Tartare ◆ Wagyu Consomme Soup ◆ Tajima Beef Tongue ◆ Kobe Beef Fillet ◆ Kobe Beef Top Sirloin Tataki / 50 Months ◆ Kobe Beef Grilled with a Light Sauce / Scallions ◆ Kobe Beef Fillet with Scallions ◆ Fruit Tomato Salad ◆ Kobe Beef Brisket / Sauce ◆ Kobe Beef Misuji / 50 Months ◆ Cold Noodles ◆ Tajima Beef Skirt Steak ◆ Offal ・Small Intestine / Mino / Heart / Liver ◆ Curry Rice ◆ Dessert / Almond Tofu ◆ Keika Oolong Tea

Indulge in an unforgettable experience at one of Tokyo's most luxurious yakiniku restaurants, a true gem of fine dining. I finally visited this place I've always dreamed of, and it was a whirlwind of emotions. The meat was unforgettable, a memory I'll cherish forever. ▽---------------------▽ 🍴Restaurant Name: Setsugekka Ginza 🌟Tabelog Rating: 3.95 (as of June 14, 2023) 🚶‍♂️2 minutes walk from Ginza Station 💰Budget: ¥39,000 per person 📍Address: GICROS GINZA GEMS 9F, 6-4-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 📱Instagram: @setsugekka_ginza ⏰Business Hours: 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM ※Closed on Sundays ※Credit cards accepted △---------------------△ I dined here on a Friday evening. 【Crowd Situation】 The restaurant was full at 8:00 PM on Friday. 【Recommended Occasions】 Dates, colleagues, business dinners, friends ⇒Since it only has counter seating, it's perfect for small groups seeking a special experience. 【Order】 ◆Omakase Course ¥27,500 【Course Contents】 ・Kobe Beef Tartare ・Wagyu Consomme Soup ・Tajima Beef Tongue ・Kobe Beef Fillet ・Kobe Beef Tomo San Kaku Tataki (50 months) ・Kobe Beef Yaki-suki with Kujo Negi ・Kobe Beef Fillet Negima ・Fruit Tomato Salad ・Kobe Beef Kuri (with sauce) ・Kobe Beef Misuji (50 months) ・Cold Noodles ・Tajima Beef Harami ・Hormone (Small Intestine, Mino, Heart, Liver) ・Curry Rice ・Dessert: Almond Tofu ・Keika Oolong Tea 【Notable Points】 ① Carefully Selected Rare & Premium Ingredients All the ingredients used are rare and premium. You can enjoy the finest Kobe beef and Tajima beef, the highest quality Wagyu, in their prime condition. While Wagyu is typically shipped after 20-30 months, this time we had the privilege of trying a 50-month-old female cow. Long-term raising results in refined fat and a deeper flavor. This is next-level. ② Lively Atmosphere With all counter seating, you can enjoy the live atmosphere of watching the chefs prepare your meal. The meticulous preparation is a sight to behold. Witnessing the craftsmanship firsthand is truly inspiring. ③ Exceptional Cooking While categorized as yakiniku, the term 'meat kaiseki' (meat cuisine) perfectly describes it. The chefs expertly grill the meat over charcoal, providing full service. They elevate the exquisite ingredients to their fullest potential with their top-notch skills. Simply amazing. 【Overall】 Despite the substantial volume, the light seasoning with Kujo Negi, daikon radish, lemon, and sudachi made the meal refreshing and enjoyable until the very end. As a condiment enthusiast, this was pure bliss. The beautiful and elegant space, coupled with the attentive service, made for a truly satisfying dinner. It was a wonderful experience. I hope to visit again soon. Thank you for the delicious meal!