zzha t0706

This is a top-ranked Japanese restaurant located across the river from the Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa.I was fortunate to secure a precious reservation.First, I was greeted with a steaming hot oshibori, almost at 100 degrees, which was a nice touch.As the course began, the head chef and the staff energetically welcomed us, creating a pleasantly tense atmosphere.The ingredients from Kanazawa are truly exceptional, and the dashi (broth) is incredibly delicious.The abalone had a sweet, oden-like flavor, and the light dashi from the tai (sea bream) noodles was also delightful. The clam dashi was simply outstanding.I was amazed by the high level of umami that made my taste buds tingle.The sashimi was incredibly fresh, and the lighting was beautifully designed, creating a wonderful ambiance. Less

This Spanish restaurant is located on the first floor of the Mandarin Oriental. The atmosphere is dimly lit, yet it feels relaxed, almost like watching a show. Every dish was delicious, and the overall execution, including presentation, was impressively high. I heard that if you’re not a regular, you might need to reserve a whole salon to get a seat, which seems fair regardless of nationality. The plating was at an artistic level, and I felt the chef's dedication right from the first dish, the snap pea "Oja." The specialty dishes, two pieces of kohada and the hairy crab paella, truly showcased the restaurant's quality. When I had the second serving of hairy crab, I noticed a small piece of shell, but overall, the quality is exceptional—few places can achieve such a perfect cooking level. The highlight of the day was definitely the fried sweetfish. Instead of just enjoying the bitterness of the fish's liver, it enhanced the sweetness of the flesh, creating a flavor that surpassed expectations. The cheese added a sweetness that complemented the dish beautifully, bringing out even more flavor. I've never tasted sweetfish this good anywhere else, and all my friends who tried it were captivated, so I believe it has universal appeal. I changed my profile picture to reflect this! The angel sound melon was incredibly refreshing and sweet, even more refined than the one I had in the dessert course. This dessert alone is a game-changer. The take-home basque cheesecake was also well-received. Less

This sushi restaurant is located in Shirokane. It was promoted to gold status this year. I was delighted to find that they still had shako (sweet shrimp) as an appetizer. The fish is sourced from various places, making it a great learning experience. The tuna was particularly interesting, featuring three cuts: shio-gama (salt-baked) chutoro (medium fatty), akami (lean) from the Takojima fixed net, and otoro (fatty) from the Negoseki longline. Each cut came from a different region and was caught using three different methods, allowing us to enjoy and compare the differences in texture and flavor. I also added shrimp and grouper, and the chef was surprised to see my companion eat four pieces! Youth is truly wonderful. Less