I visited Nakamura for tempura with the president of a client company from Yaizu.Upon learning that we could go to Nakamura, the president changed the date of a previously scheduled banquet. Initially, when I invited him without mentioning the restaurant's name, he declined, saying, "That day won't work for me." But as soon as I said, "It's Nakamura," he suddenly found a way to clear his schedule!The allure of Nakamura is truly remarkable. I wonder if those who had their banquet dates changed know the real reason behind it. Well, it doesn't concern me. The choice was not mine; it was Nakamura that was selected.The restaurant recommended a 2019 Meursault, perfectly tailored to my taste. This vintage is nearly impossible to find in the market, and it was the last bottle available in the restaurant. So, of course, I had to drink it.I planned to start with a lighter Chardonnay as the first bottle and follow it with the Meursault as the second.We began with a toast over a glass of champagne.We enjoyed corn puree, sea bream, and steamed mugwort squid. Each dish was delicious.The tempura started with mackerel, showcasing a lightness typical of summer fish. Next was fresh shirasu (whitebait), perfectly complemented by the aroma of shiso. Then came the last green asparagus of the season and the first of the season's folded eggplant, representing the end and beginning of the seasons.From sweet sea bream, we moved to squid. While it may seem like a humble ingredient, the pleasure of slowly sinking my teeth into the squid was pure bliss.Then came the horse mackerel. It was the best one yet.At this point, I opened the Meursault, and it was a brilliant decision.After that, I returned to the first bottle until the sweetfish.The sweetfish was from the Okitsu River. Other rivers have not yet opened for fishing. Being able to enjoy the local sweetfish a bit earlier might be a privilege for those from Shimizu.We continued with golden eye snapper and sakura shrimp, and the sardines that came last were outstanding—perhaps even better than the horse mackerel.Once again, it was an incredibly exciting time.Nakamura is truly a delightful place.
We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.
