Hitsumabushi Bincho Tokyo Solamachi — Restaurant in Tokyo

[DO NOT VISIT THIS RESTAURANT IF YOU HAVE A BABY/TODDLER]

I had high expectations for this place, given the great unagi, but the service was absolutely disappointing. I went with my wife and our 1-year-old, who was sleeping in her arms. As any parent knows, babies can get cranky, and my wife had to stand up at times to gently rock him back to sleep. Despite our efforts to eat quickly—her taking spoonfuls with one hand—just three bites in, a staff member came over and asked if we could do takeout.

Thinking she might be disturbing other customers, my wife reluctantly agreed. But what we got was nothing short of a rip-off. She had ordered Hitsumabushi, which is meant to be enjoyed in three different styles. Instead, they simply threw unagi on rice in a takeout box—no sides, no utensils, nothing.

This place seems more interested in rushing customers out to maximize profits than in providing a proper dining experience. My wife ended up having to eat her meal standing in an open space elsewhere. For the price we paid, this was completely unacceptable. If you're looking for good food and decent service, I'd recommend taking your...

Hitsumabushi is a broiled eel bowl, in which chopped eel fillets cooked over charcoal with Teriyaki (soy) flavored sauce and served on rice. If you do not know what an eel is... maybe you should not know it just in case you might lose your appetite. I love this eel bowl and how to eat... you can enjoy this meal in 3 ways. First, just eat the broiled eel with rice only. The word "Hitsu" of Hitsumabushi means a wooden container for rice. Take some eel and rice and put in a rice bowl served together. The fillet is crispy outside and soft inside. "Mabushi" means sprinkling or mixing, Hitsumabushi is chopped eel sprinkled on rice in a wooden container. Second, add some green onion and wasabi, and mix them in the bowl. Enjoy the flavor of them mixed together. I like this way to eat the best. Third, put some green onion, wasabi, and toasted laver all together, and pour some soup in the bottle. Now the taste is milder. At this restaurant, the eel is broiled only over high-grade charcoal produced from oak. You can see the chef cooking at...

We wanted to try this place because of good reviews and I was not that hungry. I ordered the eel omelet where my husband ordered the eel set. We were told I also must order an eel set or that he needs to order a bigger meal. I still gave it a try hoping it’s good and well worth the requirements. It was just okay, to me, good grilled eel needs a slight crisp to it and so far only one shop can achieve that and it’s not this one. The eel egg omelet was delicious! Then we tried to ask for a take out box but the waitress doesn’t understand. Anyhow, not a good experience. If you want good eel and flexibility on how much who can eat, skip this place. Many other restaurants available on...