Koshitsu-to Jizake Wagokoro Sakurairo

I'm unsure how this dinner would have gone without the assistance of our friendly, helpful waiter, who spoke excellent English. But we had a delightful time, thanks to his explanation of the Japanese menu and his suggestions for what to order.This young man had greeted us the previous night when we ...walked in. At that time, the restaurant was totally booked, so we immediately made a reservation for the next night, based on a recommendation from an employee at our hotel. This area of Japan is known for its hairy crab so I ordered one, along with a baked potato and radish salad to share. My husband chose the Genghis Khan BBQ, another signature dish for the area. It consists of tender lamb slices and vegetables that customers grill at the table. The delicious fresh cooked crab meat arrived loose in the body of the large crab and appeared with the crab's big already-cracked claws. It was absolutely delectable. The baked potato came with butter on the side and a dish of something slimy. We quickly learned that this dish contained raw squid guts, an additional popular item in the region. My husband decided to add some to the barbecue and declared them tasty when cooked. I declined the opportunity to sample these. I can, however, attest to the success of the Genghis Khan BBQ -- both the preparation and the taste. I thought the prices were outstanding. The hairy crab cost Y1,382 and I had seen it elsewhere for Y 5,000. The BBQ went for a mere Y 950. We sat in an area with booths that had flaps above them that the server puts down to give the customers absolute privacy. It would be the perfect place for a romantic dinner. To ensure the server's quick arrival, all I had to do was push a button on the table. Alas, smoking is allowed in the restaurant and I am allergic to cigarette smoke. Luckily, no one smoked near us until we were ready to leave. As we approached the elevator, which opens directly to Wagokoro Sakuairo, a woman alerted our waiter, who was now working in the kitchen, that we were going. He rushed to our side, called the elevator and thanked us profusely for coming. Wagokoro Sakurairo is on the fourth floor of what looks like an office building. It is extremely rustic, casual and seems to be a favorite with locals. To reach it from the Nakajima subway stop, exit at the park and walk up the street in front of you for two blocks. The building that holds the restaurant will be on the right. For non-Japanese speakers, have the name of the restaurant and address with you in Japanese. Show this to passersby on the street and someone will definitely ensure that you enter the correct building.

Visited June 2016