Hyperlocal Tokyo

○ The food was absolutely delicious. The mushroom ajillo (with a topping that tasted like pickled vegetables, which was a great pairing) and paella were particularly memorable. I felt inspired to try making them at home. I would definitely come back if I could sit at a table instead of the counter. △ The menu only had text descriptions, which made it hard to imagine what the dishes would be like. For example, I thought the venison gratin (?) would have chunks of meat, but it was mostly minced meat. This was good in the sense that it didn't have the strong, distinctive venison flavor, but it was also a bit disappointing because I was expecting that raw, gamey taste. The counter seats were a bit uncomfortable because the aisle was narrow and we had to pull our chairs in every time a server walked by (we're of average build). Also, the servers stood right next to us, so it felt like they could hear our conversation, which made it hard to talk freely. The soft drink (I think it was apple juice) was served with ice, which meant there was very little actual drink, so be aware of that.

This Spanish tapas bar in Nihonbashi has a relaxed atmosphere and serves delicious Spanish cuisine with a wide selection of wines. This time, I decided to try the squid ink paella for a special occasion. The seafood broth and the fluffy saffron rice were a perfect match. The staff also thoughtfully scraped the crispy rice crust off the bottom of the pan for me, which was a nice touch. They have a good selection of easy-to-drink wines that I highly recommend pairing with your meal.

I visited on a holiday, and reservations are definitely recommended. The restaurant is located in a back alley, but it's relatively close to Mitsukoshi, so it's a pretty good location. The food is meticulously prepared and incredibly delicious! The Spanish omelet is a must-try! The paella is for two people and is quite filling, as you can see in the photo. The drinks are also very extensive! With a beer and a bottle of red wine, the Spanish omelet and paella, and a few other dishes, the bill came out to around 15,000 yen for two people. I think it's pretty good value for money! The only downside is that there are few staff members compared to the number of customers, making it difficult to order. Also, the two-person tables are too small, and there's not enough space for all the food and drinks, but I guess that's unavoidable.

I visited on a Friday night. Reservations seem to be essential. The restaurant, with about 20 seats, was packed. They have three types of paella, and I ordered the shrimp paella. The seafood broth was delicious! They had a great selection of Spanish beers and wines. It's rare to find a place that has both, isn't it? I definitely want to go back! ♡

The food and drinks are delicious! It's a lively yet sophisticated space where you can feel comfortable and at ease. The atmosphere is very welcoming.