Dinner at Kitajima Tei (北島亭)

Dinner at Kitajima Tei (北島亭)

at Kitajima Tei (北島亭) on 21 September 2026
Photo Views
0
Meal Views
2

I had the impression that making a reservation would be difficult, but I was able to call and secure a spot for lunch even on a holiday! This time, I opted for the 4-dish course with a pairing of three glasses of wine.Although it’s called a "4-dish" course, it actually includes four selected dishes along with soup, appetizers, palate cleansers, desserts, and baked sweets. Each dish was generously portioned, and I couldn’t finish the last baked sweet, so I took it home. I hope to come back one day and challenge myself to finish everything!One standout dish was the specialty, sea urchin jelly. The sea urchin was impressively large and had a rich flavor without any unpleasant aftertaste. It paired perfectly with the consomme jelly and smooth cream. I was delighted to enjoy a generous portion of a dish that would typically be served in a quarter size in a standard course. It also went exceptionally well with champagne.For the hot appetizer, I chose the sautéed cep mushrooms, recommended by a friend. The umami of the cep mushrooms was so intense that it stood up to the garlic-rich butter sauce, which surprised me. I might not have chosen it myself, so I’m grateful for this wonderful discovery!The main dish was top sirloin beef. It was a substantial size, tender without being greasy. Accompanied by lotus root and mushrooms, it beautifully captured the essence of autumn.I don’t have much experience with classical French cuisine, but I was impressed by how well-seasoned even the side dishes were. The flavors intensified as the meal progressed, and the seasoning was evenly distributed throughout the ingredients, so it didn’t just taste salty. I found myself naturally enjoying more wine.However, the portion sizes were truly generous, so I couldn’t drink as much as I usually do, which was a bit disappointing. Still, it was an incredibly satisfying course that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish.

8 / 10