豊富な地酒と旨い肴 : Honobono

A friend who joined the company at the same time as me returned from working in France for three years, so I had a long-awaited get-together with four other friends. Due to work schedules, we were unable to hold the party, but we were finally able to hold it. The friend who organized the party took the bold step of going out to town without a reservation, even though it was a Friday during bonus season (lol). We were wandering around looking for a restaurant with his guidance. We looked inside and found that it was OK for four people! Lucky for us. We took off our shoes at the entrance, which was like a foyer, and entered the restaurant. The interior was decorated with tables and counters with sunken kotatsu seats against the wooden floor. The restaurant was small, but clean and had a nice atmosphere. We sat down and started with a beer. The homemade tofu served as an appetizer had a great sauce! It would be better to start with sake instead of beer. As for the sake, the menu had an appealing lineup of sake, including Juyondai, Dassai, and Shimeharitsuru, but in addition to that, there were several other recommended local sakes on the counter above the counter. This was also a very attractive lineup. I'm so excited to be going on a business trip to Miyagi in February, because I'm completely hooked on Japanese sake. There's everything I've always wanted to try! This is irresistible. First, I started with Ichihaku Suisen (Akita). It's a good sake that lets you taste the sweetness and umami of the rice. Next, I had Niwa no Uguisu (Fukuoka), Denshu (Aomori), and others. All of them are good sakes that are hard to choose between. I was also attracted by the words "We have hidden sake" on the blackboard. I don't think it's hidden sake when it says "We have hidden sake" (lol). That's not important, but today's hidden sake is a light cloudy Junmai Ginjo sake called "Iwa" from Takai Sake Brewery in Gunma. It's a brand I've never heard of before, but it's also delicious. I don't have many words to describe it well, but it's a sake with excellent sweetness and freshness. (After returning home, I searched the internet and ordered it today~♡) Sorry for talking so much about alcohol... The food is just as delicious as the rich and delicious lineup of local sake. The homemade tofu that was served as an appetizer, and the hearty salad that followed were delicious. The octopus's flavor and the crispness of the vegetables were irresistible. The sashimi was also delicious, including raw whitebait caught that morning, two sea urchins, and seasonal bonito. Not only sake, but the roast beef that was paired with red wine brought by a friend who returned from France, and was paired with wasabi, allowed you to taste the flavor of the red meat. There are many delicious dishes that can be paired with your favorite alcohol, whether it be sake, wine, or beer. Another delicious dish was the stewed beef tendon and vegetables. The tender stewed beef tendon was seasoned strongly but not at all heavy, and was a carefully made masterpiece. This is a must-try recommendation. I would definitely like to visit again.