Hi all. My wife and I will be in Tokyo in October and both have a sense of culinary adventure. Having heard so much about Kaiseki here and from friends, we want to try this. We have heard great things about Takamura (price is not an object for this). So, my question is this:

Is Kaiseki approachable and how friendly is Takamura to non-Japanese speakers/Americans? We want to experience the best, but don't want to run into serious cultural confusions.
Thoughts?

Thanks!
Ryan

BTW we will also be going to Beige and NY Grill. Thoughts on those two, as well?

 

Kaiseki is probably the easiest thing to try. Normally you will have a selection of 2-3 complete courses at different price levels. You do want to be open minded but usually food tend to be innovative rather than strange.

Select a good sake such as a Hakaisan or Kubota Manju and order it cold. But even a bottle of wine would not be out of place.

I went to a place in Osaka called Meigetsuki (Takaratsuka) Monday night and it was very nice.

http://www.meigetsu-hgc.co.jp/menu.html

The nicely printed single sheet course menu is a collectable item.

 

The fact that Takamura shows up in Frommers and the Economist guides means that they're used to water buffalo trampling through their delicate tatami, and should be accomodating in that regard.

Never been there, so can't comment on how good it is. Beige is pretty good, probably good value for money relative to the equivalent elsewhere. It is not, however, truly outstanding. The times I've been there, there have been a lot of young Japanese couples in "closing dinners", which I thought was one seriously expensive way for these young dorks to get some action.

If you come when it is still warm, hang out at the Beige Terrace, definitely worth it for the view of Ginza at night.

The New York Grill food is 2-3 notches below Beige, although the view and atmosphere is so good that it will make you forget the plainness of the food. The New York Bar next door is one of my favorites, and much cheaper, since you can pay yer cover charge and have a drink or two for quite a bit less than dinner.

 

[QUOTE=Pickles;8154363] It is not, however, truly outstanding./QUOTE]



Pickles, what restaurants in Tokyo do you consider outstanding?

Regards,
Ryan

 

A taster here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=591597

 

I am not sure if you are looking for "comfy less rigid traditional" Kaiseki. But I highly recommend the one in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Because if you go to the traditional kaiseki (the most famous one is "Kitcho" http://www.kitcho.com/ No English Page unfortunately), it must be overwhelming for any beginners.

Also, there are so many "overpriced" places with less quality. It's really hard to find the right one. Many think if they pay more, they get high quality. That's so wrong but that can be said to any restaurants.

The one I recommend is in Hotel Century Southern Tower. It's on the 19th floor. They do have English speakers. Make a reservation in advance so that you will get the magnificent view of Tokyo. Lunch/dinner. It's "off the hook" to look at eitehr way. When you make a reservation, make sure you get "The table by windows" and you have three choices; (Japanese Cuisine, Sushi, and Teppanyaki). But Go for "Japanese cuisine" No teppanyaki as it's too benihana for you. :-)

Japanese cuisine is always about how beautiful things are with those chef's knife skills. Because this restaurant was originally the one who caters a lot of fish, the fish is always freshest which is very important as always.

The name of the restaurant is "Horikawa" and it's on the 19th floor of the hotel. The URL is as shown below.
http://www.southerntower.co.jp/engli...nts/index.html
I believe this is the easiest accessible place without getting overwhelmed. It's still traditional but modernized without ruining the essence of the Japanese style. It's worth a shot in my opinion as many traditional places need locals to translate things for you. (

A lot of expats go to the one in Grand Hyatt in Roppongi but their quality is so poor. I was laughing out loud in that fantastic hotel due to unbelievably poor quality. So stay out

Last, I am not sure if you are interested but I have some casual presentations about "how-to" instructions that you cannot find in Lonely Planet Japan. You might find them useful....

"How to eat Sushi Fabulously"
"How to take off shoes gracefully"
"how to sit gracefully in a Japanese way"
"How to be fabulous @ a traditional Japanese restaurant"
"how to make a chopstick rest spot" (casual)

Enjoy your vacation in Tokyo

 

What a sweet chopstick holder! Just followed the instructions and made one out of a KitKat paper wrapper (British version).
My Spanish family and friends call the bits of flesh that stick out of broken socks 'patatas' (potatoes). I agree, it isn't nice to see them stuck to people's feet when you're eating.

 

I was not aware of the term "closing dinner". Got to love it as it were.

As to the OP, for sushi Im a fan of both Edo Gin and Kyubei (particularly the one in Ginza). Kyubei is better than Edo Gin but also more expensive. You might be able to get fugu in October. Both Edo Gin and Kyubei have it I think (Ive only had it at Edo Gin) and it has to be preordered as a 'fugu course dinner" at both I think. With that dinner all or almost all of the courses are fugu. I also like the fugu dinner at the Park Hyatt restaurant (on the 41st or 42 floor). The name is Kozue or something like that. Not as good as either Kyubei or Edo Gin, but good, and a stunning view of Tokyo from Shinjuku.

 

I'm putting this here for my own benefit as it looks very good indeed (and I think the cost might be reasonable too - I get the impression it's from around ¥5,000)

Sakyo (kaiseki)

Ginza 3-7-2 B1F 03-3535-3577

http://www.sakyohigashiyama.com/

photo review by someone who's taste seems impeccable

 

Your blog is hilarious ^^^.Have a fabulous weekend!

 

Earlier this afternoon, I went to the restaurant I previously recommended and had casual lunch with my parents as it was my father's birthday. Anyway, it was very casual but took photos. I forgot to take a photo of the appetizer though :-( oh well.

Lunch Menu
Main lunch box
The view
(Too bad the essence of the photo doesn't really capture the beautiful view much)

I thought this will give you some idea :-) Ciao.

 

Awesome... very clever. Thanks! Ryan

 

Thanks so much for the photos.

 

Fantabulous!
Thanks for letting me drool over your obento^
And what a lovely view of Shinjuku Gyoen! (gives the impression that it spills over into Jingu Gaien and Moto Akasaka as one giant green carpet)