aoki 1982

I visited on a weekday at noon, having wanted to come here for a long time. The owner, Takemasa Shinohara, previously ran a famous restaurant in Shiga before reopening "Ginza Shinohara" in October 2016. I enjoyed the dishes while indulging all my senses through the food, atmosphere, and conversation.~Omakase Course~● Tango no Sekku (Children's Day)A seasonal dish featuring conger eel, okra, and sea urchin. As I break apart the agar jelly, it feels like opening a treasure chest to discover delicious ingredients. Not only is the taste exceptional, but the presentation is also delightful.● Crab Sandwich with Hairy Crab● Edamame PuréeKamo eggplant, sea bream, myoga. This dish evokes the essence of a Japanese-style potage, with wonderful aroma, appearance, and flavor.● Sweetfish Nigiri Sushi● Eel Hand RollEel, flower pepper, leaf pepper. The eel is grilled by Shinohara himself, and the fragrance of the pepper perfectly complements the rich eel.● Deep-fried Soft-shelled Turtle● King CrabWe took a commemorative photo with the king crab right at the start. Enjoyed simply with kabosu, this year's king crab is nearing the end of the season, but it was incredibly satisfying and flavorful. Delicious! ◎● Hassun (Seasonal Appetizer)Oni-gawara, Oni-mon, gazing at disasters.With iris and yomogi, served in a yaha-zuki dish.Vinegared dishes: firefly squid, scallops, sweet shrimp.Salted sea bass, marinated tuna, flatfish.Delicacies of squid, white tofu with cucumber.Grilled eggplant, simmered shiitake mushrooms.● Palate CleanserMonaka (rice cake), dried persimmon, foie gras, butter, rum raisins.● Sukiyaki with Hida BeefI just returned from Takayama, but enjoying Hida beef in Ginza is a different experience (laughs). The rich flavor of the beef perfectly complements the intense sukiyaki sauce, making it exquisite.● Ginger Rice and Handa Somen (thin noodles)● Fruit Tomato in Wine Jelly● Mugwort Kuzumandu (sweet dumpling)I was thoroughly satisfied with the quality and quantity of the dishes, but even more so, each plate brought joy and excitement, truly engaging all my senses. Additionally, Shinohara's warm personality made for delightful conversations, creating the perfect moment to enjoy delicious food. I definitely want to return when I'm in Ginza. Less