Dinner at ZURRIOLA (スリオラ)

Dinner at ZURRIOLA (スリオラ)

at ZURRIOLA (スリオラ) on 3 August 2026
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A regular at the Michelin-starred restaurants, this establishment has been awarded the BRONZE designation. Until last year, it held two Michelin stars for over a decade, but unfortunately, it has been downgraded to one star this year. Nonetheless, it remains one of Japan's top Spanish restaurants, and with relatively reasonable lunch prices, I made a reservation online two weeks in advance to visit.I visited on a Saturday afternoon. It’s a 3-minute walk from Ginza Station, located on the 4th floor of the Kōjun Building. Upon arrival, I informed the staff at the elegant entrance and was escorted to a private room at the back.The restaurant's name is derived from a coastal area in northern Spain. I had pre-ordered the "Standard Lunch Course + Anniversary Plan" (JPY 16,335, tax included).◯ Snacks * Waffle with Bacalao Brandade. * Homemade Fried Bread (deep-fried black bread filled with black olive puree) Surprisingly light and soft, with a hint of olive flavor.◯ Three Types of Tapas (Anchovy, Scallop, Edamame) All served cold, evoking a sense of summer. * Anchovy Anchovies from Cantabria, Spain, with fried shishito peppers. * Scallop Tartare of scallops with sobrasada. Served with a sauce made from the broth of the scallops in their shells. Rich and smooth, the scallops were delightful. * Edamame Crunchy edamame paired with a creamy hairy crab puree. Very delicious.◯ Octopus with Gindilla (Green Chili) The octopus was lightly cooked, maintaining a firm texture, served with a slightly tangy sauce.◯ Eel and Oxtail Montadito (Traditional Spanish Open Sandwich) This is their specialty. A crispy bread base topped with rich, braised oxtail and grilled eel. The addition of shiso adds a refreshing touch. This dish was also rich and incredibly tasty.◯ Homemade Bread Served hot, it was large with a dense crumb, providing a hearty bite. Very delicious, especially with the smoked whipped butter and olive oil.◯ Sea Bass with Pil Pil Sauce A dish featuring sea bass caught in Funabashi, Chiba, steamed to tenderness in the oven. Though a common fish, the firm flesh paired with the sauce elevated it to a refined level.◯ Pigeon Roasted on Straw with Apple Salad French pigeon, accompanied by roasted pigeon thigh seasoned with spices. Perfectly cooked, the fragrant and finely textured pigeon meat was tender and juicy, with a rich flavor reminiscent of liver. Very delicious. Served with a salad or sauce made from apples and passion fruit. One of the best pigeons I’ve ever had. Outstanding.◯ Arroz Caldoso (Spanish-style Risotto) I was asked if I wanted to try a rice dish, and of course, I said yes. After about 10 minutes, it arrived with a wonderful aroma. Rich in flavor and umami, it was a must-order.◯ Melon Soup with Coconut Beneath the marinated melon lies a melon soup, topped with Crujiente (coconut snack). Underneath is coconut ice cream.◯ Amazon Cocoa * Fondant Chocolate Rich in flavor, with just the right warmth, it was decadent and delicious. * Chocolate Catalana The top was caramelized and crispy, with berries underneath. * Chocolate with Lime Cream * Cocoa Tea◯ Anniversary Flowers and Plate The top of the rose was a pudding with refreshing lychee bonbon. Quite elaborate. I was pleasantly surprised that the anniversary plate was in Spanish.I enjoyed a leisurely 2.5-hour authentic Spanish lunch. The cutlery was primarily from France's Guy Degrenne, but many dishes were meant to be eaten by hand. At the end, Chef Honda came to see us off.The service was impeccable for a high-end restaurant. Each dish had a very distinct and rich flavor. Overall, I felt some dishes might be a bit too rich, but they certainly paired well with drinks (laughs). In any case, I was very satisfied to enjoy stylish modern Spanish cuisine as expected. The cost-performance for lunch felt like it was worth more than the price.It was a great meal.

8 / 10