Jaq S.
Google
The affable Chef Imamura shares with diners about his preferences to source ingredients from ethical farms and small businesses. He also has many his 'crazy farmer stories' to tell, so that we can understand a little about the philosophies behind a farm and its quality products. The farther-from-town venue lends a totally relaxing and elegant vibe as expected of a splendid kaiseki meal.
While the entire team is crucial to churning out the dishes seamlessly and on point for every flavor and texture, and the team took turns to explain some of dishes and desserts to us, we appreciated how Chef Imamura himself checked in with us and prepped our food too. He does that for every diner.
I really liked how the fish is done here. The amadai and somen in dashi was lovely, as was the seared kinki. I'm really fond of how the kitchen manages the binchotan-heat versus the delicate fish.
I'm not a fan of truffles, so I'll skip the truffles on rice the next round and request for mushrooms or a fish for the donabe-gohan. I understand that for these two months, the team might use keiji salmon for the rice, which would be a wonderful use of the fish this season.
I took the Signature Menu, and I'll return to have its Seasonal Menu. I appreciate how the team said that they could switch out ingredients for diners if there're severe allergens or dislikes. Of course as diners, let us be considerate — please do not be picky and switch out everything. Pro-tip: skip the matcha at the end of the meal if you're caffeine-intolerant at this late timing in the evening.