Embarking on the journey of visiting the top 100 restaurants, this is the 22nd installment!I usually wouldn’t make it in time after my regular work hours, but on this day, I took a half-day off in the afternoon and, with my plans suddenly canceled, I finally got to visit Tomato.It’s about a 5-minute walk from Ogikubo Station.Overall impression → This is a European-style curry that can be described as a "master of spices," made by simmering 36 types of spices, aromatic vegetables, and fond de veau for 140 hours! The thickly cut beef tongue was incredibly tender, showcasing the considerable effort put into its preparation.The owner-chef and his wife run the place together. The interior is cozy, reminiscent of a charming old-fashioned Western-style restaurant or café, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.I arrived around 17:10. Although the regular opening hours are from 17:30, they sometimes open early if preparations are complete. When I arrived, the first round of customers for the evening service was already seated, with one group of two waiting outside, and then there was me. Shortly after, another customer arrived, marking the end of the day’s service.Phew, I’m glad I came early!The customer who came in after me was a regular, having visited about 15 to 20 times. They mentioned that they enjoy visiting famous restaurants as both a hobby and for work. According to them, during lunch hours, there’s usually a line, and it’s common to wait around two hours. I was told my wait time of about 20 minutes was quite lucky.I ordered the Beef Tongue Curry for JPY 3,800.First, I was served fukujinzuke (pickled vegetables) and onion pickles. I was surprised by the generous portion.They were delicious and paired well with the curry, so I finished every bit.Now, onto the curry.The bowl was overflowing with thick, large pieces of tongue, which were so tender they fell apart with a spoon. This was delicious! The curry sauce was a rich, thick European-style curry, concentrated with spices and various ingredients. They let it rest for a week before serving. I can understand letting it rest overnight, but a week? That was surprising!It’s labeled as medium spicy, but it’s not too hot, making it easy for anyone to enjoy.The rice was topped with cheese and raisins, making it visually appealing.After the meal, perhaps due to the effects of the spices, I felt pleasantly full yet surprisingly refreshed. I felt like I had consumed something good for my body.There were also several stew options priced at JPY 6,200. I was curious about those, but they were sold out that day. It seems they make it by simmering a large amount of meat and straining it.As a side note, the owner-chef, Kiyoshi Omino, is a skilled individual who previously worked on sauces at Shiseido Parlour. The restaurant was established in 1982 (almost the same year I was born!). A regular customer waiting with me mentioned that given the chef's age, there’s a concern about a lack of successors and how long the restaurant can continue.At that moment, I asked, "With such popularity, there must be plenty of buyers interested, right?" However, after tasting the food, I thought it would be quite difficult.Providing such a labor-intensive meal is likely challenging for most people. Moreover, it wouldn’t be profitable for businesses, so I hope someone who truly loves and understands the cuisine at Tomato can take over.That regular customer, after confirming the stew was sold out, ordered the tongue curry with a vegetable topping. The amount of vegetables was abundant, colorful, and looked very fresh. They also suggested that for those who are sensitive to spice, adding cheese is a good option.I had always wanted to visit, so I’m glad I had the experience! I would love to come back, but I might not be able to wait for two hours next time!? It was a great meal!