A renowned French restaurant in Tochigi, Otowa Restaurant boasts an impressive track record, having won the Tabelog Award for four consecutive years. I’ve been curious about this place for a long time, and I finally had the chance to visit!- Amuse-bouche - Snow Fairy - Sweetfish - Seasonal Tochigi Vegetables - Lobster - Ezo Abalone - Yashio Trout with Cucumber - Lamb with White Eggplant - Egg à la Neige with Melon - Mignardises The signature dish, Snow Fairy, features a chilled soup made from white corn. It’s beautifully garnished with tomato in the center. I started by tasting just the corn soup, and I was amazed by the aroma and sweetness of the corn as soon as it hit my palate. The flavor transformation when paired with the tomato was intriguing.Next, I enjoyed a confit of sweetfish blended into a paste, served with Miwa somen noodles. It was vibrant with the addition of bitter melon, celery, and watermelon. The somen truly captured the essence of the sweetfish, and the slight bitterness was addictive. Eating the watermelon provided a refreshing reset for my palate.The lobster was cooked to a perfect rare texture, showcasing exquisite flavors. The combination of the umami released during cooking and the unique texture of the rare meat was luxurious. Three types of sauces were used, with the citrus sauce being particularly memorable.Then came the must-try dish: the abalone wrapped in pastry. Everyone who has visited this restaurant highly recommends it, so my expectations were high. The thick abalone is surrounded by scallop mousse and seaweed. The crispy, aromatic pastry was simply the best! The combination of the abalone's umami and the scallop mousse created a wonderful synergy. The abalone liver sauce added a nice touch both in flavor and presentation. This dish is a must-try.Since I was celebrating a birthday, they prepared a special plate for us. I noticed many other guests were also celebrating special occasions. The chef even came to greet us, showcasing the restaurant's exceptional hospitality. It’s not just the food that earns this place its accolades; the service is equally commendable. Winning the award for four consecutive years is no small feat. I definitely want to visit again!
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