Hyperlocal Tokyo

I've always passed by this place, noticing the open counter seats along the road, always bustling with activity. Finally, I was able to visit. The food is all perfectly paired with wine, making it easy to overeat. First, I had olives and a dish of strawberries and mascarpone, followed by my first beer. The small glass was ice-cold. I also enjoyed beef tagliata, arugula salad, and grilled Manjūgan peppers. The tagliata was tender and incredibly delicious. I had two bottles of Italian wine, and finished with amatriciana. The thick noodles reminded me of authentic Italian cuisine. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I ordered the pasta lunch (with clams, snap peas, and potato in a pesto sauce) for 1000 yen. ◆ Layout: There is a four-seat counter on the left as you enter, three two-person tables on the right, and the kitchen in front of the counter. There are three two-person tables on the mezzanine. ◆ Operation: There is one male staff member in the kitchen and one male staff member for service. They sell bento boxes from various shops in Nihonbashi at the front of the store, and two friendly women were selling them. The background music was soul music, such as Aretha Franklin. ◆ Food: The salad was enjoyable, with lettuce, red cabbage, red core radish, tomato, cucumber, and more. The homemade focaccia (bread) was fluffy but had a crispy crust, and it went well with olive oil. I chose the pesto pasta, which I love, and the combination of textures and flavors of the clams, potatoes, and snap peas was interesting and delicious.

During a trip to Ningyocho, I happened to walk past this restaurant and was immediately drawn in by the incredible aroma of meat grilling. Following my gut instinct that "a place that smells good must be delicious," I decided to give it a try. And it was a total hit! I was initially set on having wine, as they boast a selection curated by a sommelier, but then I saw the "Craft Gin & Tonic from Around the World" on the menu and couldn't resist ordering one. The gin and tonic made with Kyoto green tea was particularly refreshing and delicious, setting the bar high for the rest of the evening. (It was so easy to drink that I ended up having a few too many and almost missed my train home!) Every dish I ordered was fantastic, perfectly complementing the drinks and wines. The menu showcased a variety of creative dishes, including seasonal ingredients and a unique take on gnocchi made with mochi flour for a chewy texture. It was clear that the chef wasn't afraid to experiment and push boundaries. The spaghetti, made with tomatoes simmered in a pan after ordering, was also exceptional, with perfectly cooked pasta. I even ended up ordering the butter chicken curry, which was listed on the menu and caught my eye. It was surprisingly delicious! But the real highlight of the meal was the Catalan dessert. This adult-style dessert with rum raisins was absolutely divine, with a flavor profile that would pair perfectly with brandy. It was truly unforgettable. I've added this restaurant to my list of must-visit spots. I can't wait to go back!

On Christmas Eve🎄 I felt like there weren't many people going out because of the high number of infections that day. We were in this area for work, so we were exploring the surroundings and stopped by. The interior was cute for such a small shop. Also, the owner is from Iwate, right? As a Tohoku native, I felt a sense of kinship. ⤴️ As for the food, I personally loved the pie. I also ordered a wine set, but I would have been happier if there had been more explanation about the wine pairing. I'm going to keep exploring restaurants while taking precautions against infection.