At Gen Yamamoto, savor a serene omakase cocktail flight featuring artful, seasonally inspired, low-alcohol sips in a stunning 500-year-old oak bar.
"Open for: DrinksPrice range: $$$An L-shaped counter made from a 500-year-old Mongolian oak tree sets the stage for an omakase flight of craft cocktails at Bar Gen Yamamoto. The eponymous proprietor returned from New York specifically to work with the Japanese palette of ingredients. The drinks, made with spirits and sake, are all low in alcohol to highlight the flavors of seasonal produce, both fruits and vegetables, including items like fava beans or sweetcorn. They’re presented in a variety of eye-catching glassware on trays decorated with flowers or greenery. With only eight seats, this ultra-quiet bar is a place to study the art of imbibing. Best for: The bar opens at 3 p.m. and the cocktails are small and low in alcohol, so it makes a great pre-dinner spot." - Yukari Sakamoto
"Gen is a tiny, eight-seat cocktail bar with just one guy making drinks. It’s a very personal experience - everyone drinks from a cocktail tasting menu made up of smaller, but very strong drinks." - josh layne
"Specializing in seasonal cocktails and with just eight tables inside, this quiet bar sits on a narrow side street in Azabu-Juban. There's no music, and Gen Yamamoto’s presence is more like a mixologist monk than a boisterous bartender. The parade of glassware created by Japanese artists adds a heightened visual and textural element. The way to go is a flight of cocktails that may include surprising ingredients like creamy sweet potato, tomatoes, or wasabi. Insider tip: The shop opens at 3 p.m., so go early and have your pre-dinner drinks here."
