I absolutely love wild vegetables. They allow me to feel the seasons, and above all, they make perfect snacks to accompany drinks. I frequently visit Yamagata, but finally, I have made it to Dewa Ya...It's not easy to get here from Tokyo; I either have to splurge on a taxi or find a designated driver. This time, a friend—who feels more like family—picked me up at Akayu Station and we headed to Dewa Ya.The restaurant has a charming atmosphere... I definitely want to stay here next time. As we entered through the spacious entrance, we saw customers enjoying soba in the adjacent area. We took off our shoes and walked quietly down the hallway. Then, we were led to a cozy private room. We could see the garden, and it was incredibly quiet. Ah, what a luxurious flow of time this is.The first dish that arrived was an assorted platter of wild vegetables. I could easily finish a four-go bottle of sake with just this. This single dish made the journey worthwhile. Of course, I ordered Japanese sake and repeatedly apologized to my companion for being the designated driver, gratefully enjoying the wild vegetables alongside the sake. Dishes kept coming out, and when it was time for the hot pot, the head chef came to prepare it for us. I wanted to add rice to the rich broth, but since the final dish was wild vegetable rice, I reluctantly gave up that idea. But how many wild vegetables can one meal contain?When I asked the head chef, "In today's world, with bears being a concern, gathering wild vegetables must be tough, right?" she replied that local people collect them for her. That makes sense... wild vegetables have become a precious food source compared to the past."I don't want to leave; I want to lie down on this tatami mat," I thought, holding back my emotions as I reluctantly walked down the hallway. Next to the reception, there was a small area selling souvenirs, and I happened to find a hand towel with the same pattern (myoga) that I own. I had a delightful moment of excitement with a young woman who seemed to be the young proprietress and other staff members. I bought it at a design festival in Tokyo, but to encounter the same artist's work in Yamagata was a pleasant surprise.As I was leaving the restaurant, a young chef came out from the back to see us off. I'm sure the person at the reception was the young proprietress, and this chef must be her husband and heir. In short, this restaurant will be in good hands for a while. I’m glad to have confirmed that...Next time, I want to try the chef's table. No matter the challenges, I will definitely visit this restaurant again.
We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.
