I visited Kagurazaka Ishikawa, the flagship of the Ishikawa group, for the first time.The flow of the dishes, which respect the ingredients without overdoing anything, created a pleasant dining experience that encompassed not just the food but also the time and space.■ LocationLocated behind Bishamonten in Kagurazaka, the entrance, characterized by a calm black design, leads into an atmosphere that feels slightly detached from everyday life.■ CuisineOn this day, I enjoyed seasonal summer ingredients such as hamo (pike eel) from Amakusa, young sweetfish from the Tenryu River, and a clear soup with yamato clams.The sashimi included red sea urchin, purple sea urchin, Akashi sea bream, and octopus. The distinct sweetness and aftertaste differences between the red and purple sea urchins left a lasting impression during the tasting. The Akashi sea bream and octopus were beautifully presented, showcasing quality over flamboyance.Following that, the combinations of winter melon with Tanba chicken and junsei from Akita were all natural pairings. The way the dashi, temperature, and texture were harmonized quietly reflected the elegance typical of Ishikawa.Towards the end, the somen noodles made with fresh sesame were rich yet not heavy, serving to balance the meal.The finale was a clay pot rice dish brought out by Chef Ishikawa himself. The freshly cooked rice was delicious on its own, and it was enjoyable until the end with accompaniments like shirasu (whitebait), pickles, bonito, and squid.The dessert was simple, leaving a lingering impression with fruits and kuzukiri (starch noodles).■ Service, Atmosphere, and ClienteleThe restaurant has an air of formality, yet it does not feel overly tense.Thanks to Chef Ishikawa's cheerful personality, the atmosphere naturally becomes more relaxed. The closeness between the chefs and the guests creates an impression that the entire restaurant is crafting a shared experience rather than just serving high-end Japanese cuisine.The clientele mainly consists of calm adults. It is suitable for anniversaries and business meetings, but it is also a place where one can leisurely enjoy Japanese cuisine with fellow enthusiasts.■ Overall ImpressionAfter the meal, when I asked Chef Ishikawa for my next reservation, he seemed to have looked at my history with the Ishikawa group and said with a smile, "You have contributed quite a bit to the group. Why haven’t you visited us until now?"I was genuinely pleased with this first visit, as it opened up opportunities for me to continue visiting Ishikawa in the future.
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