SALVATORE CUOMO ＆ GRILL TAKADANOBABA — Restaurant in Tokyo

This restaurant is situated on a busy crossroad, in the midst of hustle and bustle. There was only a few types of cuts from various origin countries, and a hamburg steak on lunch menu. Among all, the today’s cut steak caught my attention, which the staff explained that it's steak (leftover) pieces from ALL types of cuts on the menu. What a fun way to try all the cuts, and the price was not expensive. With its lunch set, you can choose rice or salad with unlimited refill and comes with a soup (didn't specify). I picked the today’s cut steak and hubby picked the first hamburg steak. We both asked for the salad, but it's really just a lazy salad, only lettuce and dressing, nothing more or less. I can't see why a restaurant won't put up more effort to garnish or to entice. It's really an unimpressive start. The soup was minestrone-y, I didn't care to ask what was it but it tasted alright. We also had a side of shoestring fries with some truffle powder on top, which was good. It didn't take too long for the steaks to arrive. And I just realized the staff didn't ask for the doneness of the steak for my today’s cut steak, but it came out just about right as medium rare. While the meat pieces was serving on a hot plate, I quickly transferred some smaller pieces to a clean plate to stop adding heat. So, with all the mysterious meat pieces in front of me, I can't tell which piece is from which cut. Some pieces were hard, some pieces were a bit fat and some were in between. There was only onion garlic sauce to go with the steaks, which i didn't like so much. I didn't have problem with lack of sauce choices, coz I prefer just salt & pepper when the meat is good. I was busy cooking some bigger pieces on the grilling stone, but surrounded by mystery. There was no wrong about the meat overall, each piece came from a quality cut. I just wish there was some kind of explanation when it was served. Hubby's hamburg steak was good, made of 100% beef, no pork, but it was juicy and good texture. Hall staff could use some enthusiasm with customers. The detox salad could be a little bit more creative. And the today’s cut steak, this is a introduction menu to your new customers. Spend some effort to keep us informed about the cut, I'm sure we will find our favourite flavour and texture and will love to return again. Just...

I dropped in on a Saturday lunchtime when I saw the Harami Steak Lunch Set Menu. For about ¥1,600 you get 150g of good lean skirt steak, as much white rice as you like, some thin but umami tomato soup, and a small but tasty green salad. After trying it myself, I can assert that's great value for money (speaking as a local resident). You can choose from several cuts of steak and different serving sizes, and prices vary accordingly.

Apparently, the last order for a lunch set is 2:30 p.m.

Maybe I was lucky because the weather wasn't great, but it was quiet inside so I was seated immediately, served quickly, and got all-around great service. The only thing they could've done better would be to ask how I liked my steak. I'm not sure if the waitress was new, or they just don't do that. Lucky I called out, as an afterthought, and asked for it extra rare. I'd hate if the chef had overcooked it based on any assumptions about me. But giving the benefit of the doubt, they probably just do every steak medium-rare or whatever they believe is objectively best. It seemed like an efficient, systematic operation. Oh, and they gave one of those tiny little personal hot plates, so I could sear each bite of steak to my taste before eating.

A very extensive drink menu too. I had goose island IPA but was tempted by the yuzu gin & tonic.

About 5 years ago I gave a 3-star rating here when it was called Steak the First. It seems to change management and reinvent itself every so often. So please look at the recent reviews, and take older ones with a pinch of salt. Not the best steak I've ever had, but you don't expect that for ¥1,600. Met and surpassed my expectations. Thank you...

This is the place that have the audacity to serve you a plate of spaghetti topped with an unseasoned burger patty and some brown sauce, which I think is canned sauce. And guess what? When this place turned into the "BBQ bar" they removed the salt shakers on the table so I'm gonna assume everything must be seasoned to taste upon serving.

Subpar food pretending to be high end. AVOID.

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The only definitive downside here is they rely too much on the piece of heated stone served alongside the steak to kinda finalize the cooking process, therefore they tend to undercook you steak.

This wasn't much of a problem at first but if you are not quick in digging in you'll be stranded with a undercooked cut as the stone goes cold.

Other than that, the ceasar salad is kinda weird since they subbed the conventional bacon crisps for freshly seared bacon. Leading to juicier bacon strips but warmer salad.

Save for that there is nothing wrong, the stuff here is well...