Since we've moved downtown we always pass a tempura restaurant on our way to and from the train station. I've always wanted to go but it looked high end and so we decided to wait for a special occasion which just happened to be our birthdays. My birthday was last weekend and Joanna's was yesterday so she secretly made a reservation on her birthday so we could celebrate both of ours at once.
We weren't sure what course to have so the chef explained the three courses and we chose the middle course which included seafood with vegetables. To be honest, I have eaten at expensive restaurants before but have left somewhat hungry so I was worried that just eating some tempura would leave me unsatisfied.
Joanna wanted to try some sake so we got some that is brewed in Numazu. It was cute because they brought out a tray of sake cups and let us choose our own.
We started with some nice sashimi. Very tender and tasty.
Our first tempura went straight from the tank into our stomachs. Sorry Bob! (or whatever his name was)
We weren't sure of the next two tempura pieces but the lady at the counter near us kept looking at her phone and told us that the first ones were "square beans". The second one was "ginkgo" which we assumed was from a ginkgo tree. Didn't know they produced some sort of seed. The fish took awhile for the chef to find on his iPad but it was some sort of perch.
Next was some clam soup that came with a spoon but our first instinct was to drink it from the bowl but then realized that we were in a nice place and should utilize the spoon. The next tempura was some sort of a root with holes. we normally have it sliced but this was a chunk.
Now for our favorite of the night. The scallop tempura with truffle salt. Oh my goodness! Talk about a taste bud delight! the outside was cooked but the inside was still raw. It was truly amazing!
At this point we were starting to get a bit full but the tempura kept coming which was nice.
We had a broccoli type of plant that the chef showed us but we hadn't seen before. Then we had, you know those tiny corn that come in a can? Well, we had a whole one in the husk and then some sea bream. The slimy looking soupy thing is a seaweed...something. I treated it as a shot and downed the whole thing.
And then we were finished right? Nope! The waitress came up and asked us if we wanted a final tempura on rice or tempura on rice with tea. Joanna asked if it came with the meal and they said yes so we got one of each.
Wow! What a way to end a meal. So good.
Finished? Nope!
How about some ice coffee, ice cream, and some green tea? Why, yes of course!
What a fantastic meal. We were both VERY full when we left. Was it worth the money? Yes, every yen worth. But what made the meal was the company of course. Happy Birthday to us!
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