In a residential area near the river where you can meet quiet moment through wonder – a perfect meal to nurture and condition ourselves in each season greeted with seasonal ingredients. “Totonou” by means. Not an extravaganza service yet simply with skills, efficiency and kind hospitality. “Sake To Sakana” in North Eastern part of Kawasaki where is good access to Jiyugaoka and Okusawa area, this small restaurant is known for serves quality ingredients of Japanese cuisines. In Japan, restaurants and hospitality has a reputation for good standard as and this place is no exception.
The owner and food designer, Kaz Naito contributed Round Pattern some profound recipes in the past and since the restaurant survived the pandemic and made their fifth anniversary in late November this year.
After the region trips and some busy time beings, visited Naito-san’s “Sake to Sakana” lunch reminiscent to the experience of moments in nurturing by delicate and hearty meals as welcome treat.
It was busy enough but well bounded with other guests and the usual meals were served in perfect portions to enjoy each dish. Since it was their fifth anniversary as well as such a nice peaceful day to spend time there, it was a nice to receive their advice on right sake (Naito san is the sommelier of sake and their boutique sake selection is always great assurance). By the suggestion, the one from Tango in Kyoto called, “Tamagawa” was firm and light flavored. It is apparently made of special Koji and the maister is British based in Kyoto which was a profound background and insightful.
Since the lunch was casual kaiseki course meal, perfect portions of entree and sashimi, tempura, main dish with special rice and miso soup (and Yokan bean paste for desert was lovely) were all humble and delicious tasting ingredients experience. Particularly one with seasonal ingredients such as Cod fish and Daikon stew served with Fresh Nori seaweed Tenpura was delicate and hearty nurturing dish which I would love to try again before they change their menu.
One notable thing about this place is music. They plays nice quiet acoustic guitar music as background music and Round Pattern made a conceptual playlist which ensues their music and restaurant style. The playlist is updated inspired by the lunch. You might get to heard it there as their subtle interior change. Or as if you are able to experience sonic “Sake to Sakana” at your home.
After the quiet moment of lunch, if you seek change of bud for a refreshment, there is another gem shop called, “Big Baby Ice Cream” where has courtesy handmade ice creams and simple yet tasty drink menu. The events including breakfast are nice to try. Their original shop in Daikanyama and the concept, quality, and efficiency are accountable. Quite catchy sophisticated American diner style with IG friendly design attracts many locals and visitors from around Tokyo, Kanagawa, and more. They seem always busy yet how fantastic to open a door for your leave even you bought a single delicious takeout pistachio ice cream amongst their busiest time. Looks good, tastes good, and people who work there are good. They open until nine in the evening so recommend for desert and drinks or after lunchtime would be nice refreshment treat.
If you seek nice coffee roasters experience, then you can hop in “SHIBA COFFEE” where is located in a block away from both shops. The coffee shop often has a coffee workshop and strictly about good quality coffee education. “Sake To Sakana” often serves their beans yet it is always nice to try at freshly roasted at the roastery.
It is a good little wonder to discover these little gems along with a walk of Tamagawa river and greenery landscape in residential areas-particularly for whom are keen on neighborhood Tokyo yet well known for local epicureans who likes offbeat and less crowded. There is a community lounge center along the river park which architecture designed by Kengo Kuma. The trait of style blending with the landscape and although it is almost two years open, it has becoming humbly flagship in the park area.
The area is certainly plenty of gems you can find – quality and skilled experience you can be assured. It is nice to take some time out for yourself in somewhere unknown yet not too far from one’s hubs.
Location Reference:
Sake To Sakana | ADDRESS : 101Lily Haim 1-638 Marukodori, Nakahara, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 211-0006
SHIBA COFFEE | ADDRESS : 1st floor, Chateau KOYO, 1-826 Shin Maruko Higashi, Nakahara, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 211-0004
Big Baby Ice Cream | ADDRESS : 1-829 Shin Maruko Higashi, Nakahara, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 211-0004
