Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan｜Kagurazaka Ishikawa

In 2018, I came to Samsung Kaiseki Ishikawa. From appetizers to fried food, soup, sashimi, grilled food, fish dishes, meat dishes, sea bream rice, desserts, every dish is very, very delicate and delicious, visual taste The double enjoyment, the ingredients are fresh, and the wine selection is also very rich. The stewed rice is not finished, the store will make rice balls for you to take away for breakfast, very attentive. We sat at the bar, the boss is a very interesting person, he can talk to us in English, and jokes, and he also took out a fish encyclopedia to answer my questions. The whole dining atmosphere is very good, and the service attitude is perfect ,highly recommended

Kagurazaka Ishikawa is the restaurant we place first priority when visiting Tokyo, even having dined there nine times. Though their dishes look simple; be it grilled, steamed, fried and simmered, they could coax out the subtle essence/taste of the seasonal produce and meat. Even the rice served at the end of the course is exceptional. They adhere closely to the tradition of washoku, besides tastiness, presentation and plating is of great importance. Dishes are served on tableware like mino-yaki or lacquerware , and drinks with fine vintage Baccarat crystal glassware. Be it seated at the sought-after counter (table is from centuries old hinoki) or private room, service is consistently good and Chef Hideki Ishikawa ensures to meet and thank the guests. His restaurant also has good selection of sakes, and quite often have the Juyondai. Only issue is, need to plan early to get reservation.

This is the best example of the kind of restaurant that the food does not look very special on the surface, but once you taste it you are immediately impressed the large amount of effort and technique being put into preparation. If you can't get a booking, it's sister restaurant "Ren" is definitely worth a try.