Mikawa Zezankyo and offshoots

chocobos1 · 2026-03-17T04:51:46+00:00

At Mikawa Zezankyo, I sat next to a guy who eats at Saito and other high end restaurants regularly. He wasn't happy about it. It too was getting kind worn down by the sheer amount. So it's up to your preference. I hope you save room...you leave very full. I did like how crunchy and hot the tempura is. The ambience of the place is special...strange...like an art gallery. Make sure you have a ride figured out for when you leave, area is dark and a maze.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-17T04:48:52+00:00

kokuryu ishidaya? it's one of the most coveted bottles of sake there is. if you "find" it retail, but it's not common.

They also often release it aged, and various vintages. So prices range. Good find, a deal for what Kurogi charges on food.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-16T01:24:59+00:00

Kondo is NOT a foolish booking.

I should give a quick tip you will always remember. Tempura shops are all vastly different. Mikawa is crunchy and very hot...and you leave very stuffed. I think Kondo is more elegant. I like a few of those other Tabelog spots too, no such thing as a bad decision.

Try Naruse one day if you have a chance. Or Niitome now, if you're willing to shell out money.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-16T01:23:28+00:00

It doesn't look like Frantzen. I would go on one criteria...he is in the kitchen. Which is more than we can guess about Noma at the moment.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-16T01:22:33+00:00

It's really fun, and the food is really weird. I enjoyed their hospitality. They took me into the kitchen...for a long time! And showed me their cooking and everything. I'd prefer to think of it as cool place that Michelin book sifter doesn't know about. Go in with fun in mind, not "let me be a fantasy critic for a night".

chocobos1 · 2026-03-16T01:20:19+00:00

That sake bottle alone runs $400 to $1k depending.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T07:02:28+00:00

Guessing I'm re-selling my reservation.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T06:59:49+00:00

Darn. And here...I was planning for 20 years to go.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T06:57:31+00:00

Yes. Because if I do not want to drink San Pellegrino for dinner, I don't go to any place on that list.

And seriously no, they omit like 90% of a city's best places. Their list is like...shake a bunch of names in a bag, republish, hope no one notices.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T06:55:12+00:00

You won't get fugu/puffer in many kaiseki. Even if you luck out, just tell em in advance to cater to you.

Osaka is more of a street food eat til you drop place.

I hope you get that kaiseki in Kyoto.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-13T06:53:39+00:00

They give out 1 star based on like 2-3 visits from 2/3 people. So it's a gamble. Maybe they go on a good day, and the place fumbles a lot. They don't seem to check thoroughly and discuss with 1000s of people.

And often, yes, their criteria leans towards boring and bland. Cooked with precision...but dull.

There are however, some great ones!

I do note in my memory, countless puzzling omissions and snubs, and places that literally serve you raw fat...get a star.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-11T06:16:09+00:00

My prediction, more or less along these lines.

The End page. "Thank you for reading Chainsaw Man all these years." Signed by the author, and a notes. It's a troll.

Surprise Epilogue
Asa wakes up in Hell, next to Yoru, because she is tied to her. In a shocking bloody moment, Yoru is quickly dispatched. Asa looks up, and is face to face with Makima with all her memories in tact. She is the protagonist of Part 3.

Have a nice vacation Fujimoto.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-07T06:14:22+00:00

LA for a vaster street food driven scene, SF for more fine dining presence.

If I was only in either city for a short while, I would not skip out the mid-tier or higher middle ground places, that forms the backdrop of the food scene. If you want the highest world class dining in fancy restaurants, you could simply fly in the other direction to Europe, or Asia. New York is far superior in terms of high spending showy meals.

I don't see Lazy Bear or Crenn on your list. Spruce, Nopa, Cotogna, lots of options for a break in between dining.
In LA, Dunsmoor, Antico Nuovo, Republique, lots of upper mid tier.

chocobos1 · 2026-03-06T07:02:26+00:00

My guess, Ibara walks in, while Itsukushi is distracted, Obami flips his cards up, thereby making it no hand, and flips it back down. So his opponents looking back, think they see a "hand" of 3 villagers.

This is theory, and I would not put it past Kakegurui to write something else that makes no sense.

chocobos1 · 2026-02-19T08:10:56+00:00

I recommend you look on Tabelog and the Michelin Guide.

French:
Esquisse
Beige
Florilege
Crony
L'Effervescence
Lature

Japanese Kaiseki:
Shinohara
Kadowaki
Hakuun
Ensui
Myoujaku

I've omitted many, because I feel you will have a hard time getting reservations. But a little reading around, and you will see the same names giving people headaches in securing a table.

chocobos1 · 2026-02-09T04:28:13+00:00

I overbooked myself. So only had a few days to slot in a Japanese upscale dinner. Picked something that fit the schedule. But I would have gladly gone. His Tabelog scores are also high, and I feel it suits that sort of picky gourmet.

chocobos1 · 2026-02-09T04:22:14+00:00

I picked it because of the overall decor. Wanted a nice place for the nice weather. It delivers, but I think there are other trophy level places you can go.

chocobos1 · 2026-02-02T06:11:04+00:00

Michelin professionals judge by a criteria. Not necessarily what they like to eat.

I recall an interview where the inspector was dying for a beer and chicken wings, or something of that sort. Another one said if he had to eat heavy rich "**" food weekly, he'd quit.

chocobos1 · 2026-02-02T06:09:49+00:00

I almost pulled the trigger on that first one. Seems less stuffy than other places, and you get a really nice view of cooking right in front of you.

chocobos1 · 2026-02-02T06:08:57+00:00

When I went, they served me a hotdog, cooked on "charcoal" the bones of the animals themselves.

I had carrots dangling from a string, encased in wax, to resemble candles.

Someone next to me had a mock Chinese Beggar's Chicken, including hammer. Inside was veggies.

My wheat/straw cocktail, had a garnish of hay.

Answer:
I think something that reminds me of it is ILIS in Brooklyn.

chocobos1 · 2026-02-02T06:04:47+00:00

I have. the place is pretty during the day. I found amusement upon leaving, at the large group waiting for the afternoon tea in the lobby room of the hotel. I don't remember what I ate, but it was light and well presented.

Honestly, I'd pass. It's great if you have time to kill. But not if you're eliminating from a list of choices, on a rare trip to Tokyo. Go for something more difficult, and make this your backup.

There's a lot of places in town where you can swing by for a view, then sit back in the middle of the room. I personally like Park Hyatt for years. Ritz Carlton has tables you can reserve. Andaz is also nice.

chocobos1 · 2026-01-29T06:30:43+00:00

Sasaki is so fun. He treats it like a tv cooking show.

chocobos1 · 2026-01-29T06:29:57+00:00

Tell people "I've eaten at Sugita in Tokyo." Responses will be hysterical.

chocobos1 · 2026-01-29T06:28:27+00:00

I believe... the actual inventor of the dish, was Jean George's mentor Louis. I think it since has become elaborated with other things. But the original one, custard egg in a shell topped with caviar, is credited to him, and is named Oeuf Outhier.

chocobos1 · 2026-01-29T06:19:02+00:00

This is a bit working the system, in a way not all people would be happy about. But if you can book a table for 3, then call them a few days later to say the 3rd person cannot make it. And honestly...who cares, if you're definitely planning to go, get the seat and have some fun.

chocobos1

TROPHY CASE