GORI Nishi-Azabu — Restaurant in Tokyo

On Saturday, I had the pleasure to visit a great restaurant in Nishi-Azabu/Tokyo for lunch called GORI. I had to laugh, as the name is a derivation of the Chef's nickname from school, “Gorilla.” Not only is it easy to remember, but the experience is one you will soon not forget. The tasteful, modern interior combined with marvelously crafted food results in a very comfortable atmosphere.

To be able to follow one's passion in life as a career is indeed a dream-come-true, which this Chef-Owner has done to perfection.

As a foodie (food enthusiast) I was certain my friends had ordered a custom menu for the day as it consisted of six (6) courses commencing with an enormous salad. Having flown in from California just a days earlier, I was tricked into believing I had never left because of the bright selection of colorful tomatoes and fresh greens. In Japan, where saucer-sized salads are the norm, the offering at GORI was a full, dinner-plate sized masterpiece. I was told the Chef personally selects each ingredient direct from the farmer's markets.

Appearing next was a beautifully prepared sliced tenderloin of beef and broccolini dish dressed with a balsamic reduction. I was in heaven. Fully satisfied, I expected the meal to end here...but wait...there's more ! Soon came a spinach and beef consomme, followed by spaghetti bolognese, and main course of strip steak. The presentation throughout was picture perfect and magazine-ready, reflecting the Chef's good taste and Japan's skillful ceramic artisans.

Already fat and happy, a precious jewel of a dessert appeared – an impeccably smooth tropical fruit custard. Regret I don't have a picture as I could not wait to devour mine.

As for this custom menu??? - I learned just today that the feast I so enjoyed was their daily Kampo-beef Lunch course. My hosts graciously arranged for us to begin with a lovely prosecco paired with a delightful red wine of the Chef's recommendation.

I strongly urge you to seek out GORI. But please don't wait 20 years before renewing your old friendships there, as you deserve to treat yourself with a visit to GORI...

Lately I've been seeking out "hole in the wall" (Wagyu) steak places - if any more such places exist. My own most satisfactory experience with the burger / steakhouse near my parish church in Roppongi has convinced me they are there to be found.

I'd heard about Gori (ゴリ GORI おすすめ ステーキ) and when the chance came, did reservations and had their "Kampo" Dinner Course.

I was expecting a good meal but boy oh boy I was simply gouged all gory ( sorry, I couldn't resist ) by how uniformly good it all was.

I must make special mention of the "hormone" (tripe) dish - it was so good I literally slurped the plate clean. Now I'm not very much in on "hormone" (as nabe) but this was so good my lady friend gave me her serving (she was even more not into it than I was).

The kaiseki style "tidbits" of the different "kampo" beef cuts were all so good - meatier ("akami') but oh so tasty. The fish dish was a nice interjection, and the four different cuts interspersed over the meal (from salad right through the main dish) was immensely satisfying. The rich dessert topped of a great evening.

It was a late dinner so we took the smaller of the two dinner courses - I was then regretting not having more (I highly recommend it!!).

Gori (ゴリ GORI おすすめ ステーキ) is no hole in the wall spot - in a Roppongi filled with the best New York steakhouses it's a small cozy cafe that serves great Japanese "kampo" beef that is sustainable and tasty, meticulously prepared but with a fresh, imaginative Italian...

Went there for lunch and had a meat sauce pasta. It was amazing! I don’t know what differentiated it from other meat sauce pastas I’ve tried but it was definitely one of the...