This time, we celebrated a birthday with four of my usual friends at Azabudai Hills, specifically at YORONIKU TOKYO AZABUDAIHILLS.First off, getting to the restaurant was a bit tricky (laughs). Azabudai Hills is just too stylish. I was curious about all the surrounding shops, which all looked delicious. After a little detour, we finally arrived.Once seated, we kicked things off with a toast over draft beer. For the second round, we switched to makgeolli. Since it was a yakiniku night, we were ready to fully enjoy the experience.The moment I tasted the kimchi and namul that were served first, I thought, "Ah, today is going to be a win." You can tell a lot about a restaurant from the first dish. My expectations skyrocketed, and they were exceeded throughout the meal.Next came the meat sashimi and yukhoe. As a raw meat lover, this was pure bliss. I intended to savor it slowly, but before I knew it, it was gone (laughs). The yukhoe was served on bread, but the only downside was that the happiness ended in just one bite.After a refreshing salad, we had the grilled tongue. The umami from the kombu was strong, and the quality was immediately apparent.Then came the Tsuchinoko. I was curious about the name, but it was unbelievably delicious.The upper mino was shocking. It was unlike any mino I had known before. Even though it was thinly sliced, it had a great texture and flavor that was completely different.I was in ecstasy with the honeycomb soup and meat sushi topped with caviar, and then came the Chateaubriand and silk loin... that was just unfair.Next was the katsu sandwich. This is something I could eat for a lifetime. Even as I write this, I crave it (laughs)... it’s just unfair.Then we had the zabuton sukiyaki with truffle. When I put it into words, the name sounds ridiculous (laughs), but the taste was absolutely worthy of such a powerful name. This is what luxury feels like.We finished with silk loin ochazuke, which smoothly transitioned into somen. The flow was perfect, and it didn’t feel heavy at all, wrapping up the meal beautifully.For dessert, we had fluffy shaved ice. We could choose between matcha and hojicha, and I opted for hojicha this time. The snow-like texture was fantastic after such a long time.And it wasn’t just the food that surprised me. The staff were all top-notch. They were all beautiful and handsome, yet their service was attentive and thoughtful. Despite being busy, they maintained their smiles and moved gracefully.I genuinely thought, "I want to give them a tip" (laughs).It was also impressive to see my usually picky junior colleague genuinely say, "This is delicious." That speaks volumes about the quality.I’m grateful to my friends for bringing me to such a wonderful place for my birthday.Overall, I was completely satisfied with the food, atmosphere, and service. I would love to return on another special occasion.Food: A flawless yakiniku course from start to finish.Drink: Perfect pairing with makgeolli.Atmosphere: A refined and sophisticated space typical of Azabudai.Staff: Excellent service and attentiveness.Cost: Not sure due to the indulgence.[Restaurant Info]Name: YORONIKU TOKYO AZABUDAIHILLSAddress: 1-3-1 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 3F Tower Plaza, Azabudai HillsType: High-end Yakiniku / Course YakinikuFeatures:Known as a difficult reservation spot, the Azabudai Hills branch carries on the world of YORONIKU. It is popular for its unique course structure that incorporates signature dishes like silk loin and zabuton sukiyaki, along with truffles and caviar.Background:YORONIKU in Minami Aoyama has gained national acclaim as a pioneer in the style of enjoying yakiniku as a course meal. The YORONIKU TOKYO AZABUDAIHILLS opened in 2023 as a new flagship store.They serve carefully selected black-haired wagyu prepared using the optimal cooking methods for each cut, elevating it to a "course meal to savor each dish of yakiniku," which is supported by food enthusiasts both domestically and internationally.Seating:Table seating and private rooms available.Payment:Cash, various credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments accepted (recommended to confirm before visiting).