Hidden little gem in an otherwise rather quiet part of town. You’ll know you’ve arrived at the right location when you see staff outside with white gloves, waiting to whisk you into this intimate venue.
With only 4 tables, one private room, and one spot at the counter, this is a tricky reservation to obtain. I had been half heartedly trying for months, but finally got lucky when someone else cancelled their Valentine’s Day reservation.
The meal started off with a lovely simple broth with green onions and fugu. I’ve had fugu in several different forms, but this preparation was very simple and made the fugu taste rather special and delicate.
Next were 6 amuse bouche, all very fun and delicate, but packed with flavor. In the first “course”, some of the freshest uni I’ve ever had, squid with a vinegar salad underneath instead of rice, and a cone with radishes and shrimp. In the second, beef presented as a prosciutto, conger eel with wasabi greens, and wild boar wrapped around some Japanese greens.
The next “appetizer” was one of my favorite parts of the meal: avocado wrapped crab over black rice and topped with caviar (the first picture in my photo series above). So delicious!
Then there was fried snapper (also so tasty, but I cannot recall the details of this dish), and my least favorite dish of the evening: the lobster! The lobster was served with a very unique raspberry sauce, but I found the lobster itself to be a bit slimy for my taste.
It was time for the main course! Or so we thought…. We were instead surprised with an off menu item, a playful foie gras cookie paired with dessert wine! I was delighted.
The venison as the final main was beautiful and rich. Not too gamey, just all around so pleasant to eat.
This is where the wine pairing stopped, so we ordered an extra dessert wine. First, an orange granita and espuma. Then, since it’s still strawberry season here, a huge juicy strawberry with what I can only describe as a white chocolate-esque hard foam. The staff surprised us with extra champagne for this one.
Then, my favorite, a cognac ice cream. Incredible! I wanted to lick the plate.
Last, 3 petit fours: a rum canelle, chocolate buttercream eclair, and for the last bite of the night, a delightful little tomato with a crunchy, light cookie shell. I was hesitant about this one, but it was wonderful!
Just about $500USD for this 12 course meal, including wine pairing + one extra dessert wine. Highly recommend, should you ever be in Nagoya!
by Cleigh24