Nestled quietly in the residential area of Shirokanedai, l'algorithme is a restaurant I revisited for a birthday dinner, just like last year. While it’s fun to change venues for special occasions each year, there’s something nice about returning to the same place. As expected, we opted for the wine pairing again this time.The interior, primarily featuring a counter, remains minimalistic. You can watch the dishes being prepared in the open kitchen, which is heavily adorned with stainless steel, creating a close connection with the chefs. The menu for the day included intriguing items like "Corn / Jelly / Beets", "Foie Gras / Fig / Crouton", "Hamo / Battered / Egg Yolk", "Octopus / Ravioli / Squid Ink", "Hokkaido / Venison / Jus", and "Hitachi Beef / Blue Meat / Red Wine", all cryptically described in ten chapters. True to its name, the dining experience involves solving the culinary puzzle as you progress through the meal.From the start, small finger foods topped with caviar layered flavors of acidity, saltiness, and texture in each bite. The foie gras paired with fig created a classic yet powerful combination, balancing the rich fat with the sweetness of the fruit. The dishes, such as the battered hamo and the octopus with squid ink, showcase French techniques while keeping the ingredients approachable and not overly complicated.The meat courses in the latter half were also memorable. Transitioning from Hokkaido venison to Hitachi beef, the latter was cooked to a beautiful rosy hue. The umami of the meat was enhanced by a red wine sauce, skillfully allowing the fresh flavors of the blue meat to shine through. Generous use of truffles added a celebratory touch fitting for a special occasion.Moreover, the wine pairing here is truly enjoyable. The selection ranged from Champagne to Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Chianti Classico, and Napa Merlot, effortlessly crossing borders and varietals. Rather than simply "pairing" the wine with the dishes, the design of the pairing reveals different aspects of the food, making the selection of wines meaningful.Dessert featured rich eggs and crème caramel, culminating in a birthday plate at the end. Even though I sat at the same counter with the same person on the same day as last year, the plates presented a distinct experience for this year. A restaurant that can withstand the test of revisiting for special occasions holds inherent value. I find myself wanting to return next year to solve this algorithm once again.
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