Philip G.
Google
By the end of this trip to Japan, I realized that December is not a good time for us to eat kaiseki meals. Many of the delicacies served at this time of year do not taste good to our palates. The last time we traveled to Japan was in February, and everything tasted great. Go figure.
Waketokuyama is a one-star Michelin restaurant, and it looks the part. The space is beautiful in the minimalist, Japanese manner. Service was equally good, with much bowing and appreciation for our patronage. Ushered to an upstairs room where English was spoken, my spouse and I were provided seats at the counter in front of one of the chefs. There are multiple chefs at Waketokuyama, and we did not have the privilege of having the head chef cook for us.
The zen was rudely interrupted by the loud, intrusive voice of a young American woman in the next room. Her Los Angeles vocal fry accent resonated throughout the restaurant as she let the world know how important she was. My eyes rolled, but I knew telling her to shut up would embarrass the chef, and so uncharacteristically, I remained quiet. Once her party left, the room let out a silent sigh of relief.
The dishes were all fantastic in quality, but we were tired of what we had been eating, as it was our tenth day in Japan. However, I am taken by sake, and focused on what I wanted to drink. It was difficult to make myself understood, and soon a flurry of inexplicable activity took place. Suddenly, the head chef appeared, asking me what kind of sake I was looking for. I explained, and soon I was tasting the most sublime nectar of rice polishing. I was in Heaven, purring like a lazy cat.
Waketokuyama is a wonderful restaurant, worthy of its Michelin star. We were sad we could not enjoy or give each dish the attention it deserved. The bill came to $394.24 for our two meals and my sake consumption.
