While browsing the Tabelog 2026 Awards, I realized that despite considering myself a foodie, I had never visited a GOLD restaurant. As you may know, securing a reservation at a Tabelog GOLD establishment is no easy feat.By chance, on my birthday, I found an opening at Ginza Shinohara, so I quickly made a reservation without even consulting my wife.Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the impressive hairstyles of the male staff! I try to maintain a clean look by getting a haircut every 7 to 10 days, but even I was surprised—did they have a dedicated hairstylist? The staff, including Shinohara, sported short, neat hairstyles that left a strong impression, reminiscent of a sports team.Next, I was amazed by the wonderful smiles of the female chefs! It had been so long since I had seen such a refreshing smile that I couldn’t help but exclaim, "Your smile is incredibly cute!" even with my wife sitting next to me.This made me realize that I need to bring something special to my interactions with others.At this point, I was already overwhelmed by the high quality of a GOLD restaurant.Now, when you reach this level, the food served is almost guaranteed to be delicious, but the presentation, the beautiful dishes, Shinohara's eloquence, and the teamwork of the chefs all elevate the experience.The highlight was the restaurant's signature Hassun. This dish has reached the level of art; it felt almost too beautiful to eat, and I wanted to keep it as a decoration.The best part was the final dish, ginger rice. I initially felt disappointed, thinking it would be a plain ingredient among the clay pot rice that likely changes monthly, but one bite revealed an unexpectedly delightful flavor.I learned that it rivals Matsutake rice in popularity. Indeed, food enthusiasts who frequent such high-level establishments have refined tastes.Encouraged by the chefs and my neighbor, I ended up asking for a second helping of rice five times at this top-notch restaurant.All in all, it was a memorable experience at Shinohara in many ways.
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