Showing posts with label 5 Stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 5 Stars. Show all posts

Esperia - Nishi Azabu - Italian

Esperia - Nishi Azabu

February 2008










4-11-25 Nishi Azabu
Minato-ku Tokyo
Tel. 03-5485-1771
Open Mon-Sat for lunch 11:30 - 15:00
Dinner 18:00 - 23:00
Open Sunday for lunch 12:00 - 15:00
Dinner 18:00 - 22:00

This place does not get 5 stars for the interior or for the service, both of which were well below 5 star standards. I gave this restaurant 5 stars for the gastronomic experience alone. The dishes were amongst the most creative I have come across on a long time. Who would have thought to stuff a baked apple with escargot? See the picture above.
The uni spaghetti was not the usual Japanese flavour which chefs here love to use. It was a rich Italian tomato sauce with the uni gently rolled in at the end. The pasta was cooked to perfection.
We ate the Chef's course which was made up of 3 appetizers, one pasta, one main, one risotto, one main, cheese or dessert (I would recommend the cheese) and coffee.


Best Dish - Baked apple stuffed with escargot.
Cost - The Chef's course was 7,000 yen per person or the 5 course is 5,000 yen per person. Appetizers start at 1,000 and main go up to 2,800 yen each. Lunch menus from1,300 yen.
English Friendly - Yes.
Seats - 22 seats + counter. There is also a room upstairs which seats 20 and can be booked for functions.
Atmosphere - Sophisticated.
Food - complex.
Service - Could be better.
Wine list - Around 40 all from Italy and 8 by the glass. Price starts from 4,000.
Private Functions - There is also a room upstairs which seats 20 and can be booked for functions.
Non smoking areas - All non smoking.
Vegetarian Options - No.
Family Friendly -No.

Matsukan - Azabu Juban - Sushi


Matsukan - Azabu Juban
February 2007







3-4-12 Azabu Juban
Minato-Ku
Ph. 03-3455-4923
Open: Monday - Friday 12:00 - 14:00 and 17:00 - 22:30
Saturday 12:00 - 15:00 and 17:00 - 22:30
Sunday 12:00 - 15:00 and 17:00 - 21:00

This is my favourite sushi restaurant. It is small and often hard to get in so try going for lunch. The menu changes with the seasons depending on what is fresh but try asking for the specials because they can always make something else. One thing that is available all year round is the daikon (Japanese radish) and tako (octopus). This dish is delicately simple and a must when you visit. Also try the kani (crab), the meat has been removed from the shell for you and the dipping sauce is one of the best I have ever tasted. All the sushi here is fantastic and it is hard to separate the very good from the excellent.

Best Dish - Daikon
Cost - Depends on what you order (no prices available) but usually in excess of 9,000 yen each.
English Friendly - No, although one of the sushi chefs speaks a little.
Seats - 24
Atmosphere - Super fresh sushi full of locals.
Food - It is rare to find better than this.
Service - Perfect.
Wine list - Only Sake.
Private Functions - No