Monday December 21, 2009
Toranomon, Tokyo
Cold but Clear
For my last Monday nite in Tokyo, I went out to dinner with a client. The client exec that works with me went with me and chose the restaurant. It is called KitaOhji and serves traditional Japanese Kaiseki cuisine in private tatami rooms. Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course meal that balances taste, texture and beauty. It is seasonal in that the presentation and the ingredients are to depict the season. Typically, Kaiseki is very expensive but at KitaOhji, the prices are very reasonable given the high quality of service and food. They specialize in Maezawa beef and its usually cooked on stone. It's the 3rd time I've been there and I love the place. Plus it is walking distance from my apartment.
The entrance to KitaOhjiOur private dining room. Each room is tastefully decorated. Our first course is in the box.
It consists of yuba (tofu skin), fish and shellfish. Very good and beautiful
Our second course was "osuimono": clear fish broth flavored with egg and shrimp presented in a beautiful lacquer bowl.
Our third course was fresh sashimi.
After the sashimi, our individual stone pot was heated to cook the beef. The beef was like butter!
Then came our palate cleanser of cold veggies.
Followed by perfectly grilled fish.
and tempura vegetables
And as always, finished with rice, miso soup and pickles.
Dessert was green tea cake with strawberry and hot tea.
Everything was fabulous. They have Kaiseki restaurants in the States but it is not quite the same as in Japan. If you never had kaiseki, KitaOhji is a good place to try it as in some restaurants Kaiseki can easily run 200 dollars a person without alcohol. At KitaOhji the Kaiseki start at around 7000 yen so much more reasonable and you will leave the restaurant full.
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