I visited with high expectations for a two-star experience, but frankly, it fell short.The food was delicious, featuring wonderful ingredients, including local specialties. However, at this price point (approximately JPY 85,000 for two), I believe that "delicious" is the bare minimum one should expect from a fine dining restaurant.What I was hoping for was a unique perspective and philosophy from this chef, a respect for the ingredients, and a story conveyed through the dishes. Yet, while the website frequently mentions concepts like "aftertaste" and "memory," these elements were not effectively communicated through the actual course. Each dish ended up being within my expectations, lacking the surprise and excitement I had anticipated.Moreover, the service was particularly disappointing. The explanations of the dishes were delivered in a manner that conveyed a lack of confidence, often with a soft voice that made it difficult to hear.What stood out most was the speed of service. Dishes were brought out while I was still savoring the previous one, and as soon as I finished, the plate was whisked away. There were moments when I wanted to enjoy the sauce with my bread until the very end, but it was taken away before I could do so.The website claims to value "aftertaste" and "memory," yet in reality, my partner and I didn’t even have time to discuss our impressions. There was no opportunity to share thoughts like, "This sauce was delicious" or "The cooking technique was impressive" before the next dish arrived, leaving no time to anticipate what was coming next.I felt a significant contradiction between the concept of wanting guests to savor the aftertaste and the actual service provided.Throughout the service, it seemed more focused on the kitchen's pace rather than attending to the guests. The timing of serving dishes should align with the guests' eating pace, conversation, and enjoyment of wine; that is what I believe constitutes top-notch service.I was also looking forward to the wine, but the pairings were rather safe. While they were not off-putting and were reasonable given the price, I did not feel a compelling connection, such as, "This wine was chosen specifically for this dish," nor did I sense a synergy between the food and wine that elevated each other. As a wine enthusiast, I honestly wished for more adventurous suggestions and surprises.I believe that Michelin stars are not awarded solely based on taste; the overall experience, including food, service, and ambiance, is evaluated. In that sense, I did not feel that my experience warranted two stars.I came with high hopes for a restaurant representing Aichi's gastronomy. Therefore, it was truly disappointing that the time to savor the aftertaste, which the restaurant itself promotes, was lost due to its own service.This review is not written to criticize the restaurant. Rather, as a representative of Aichi's gastronomy, I hope it can become an even more outstanding establishment, and I wanted to share my honest thoughts as a customer.
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