A place for teppanyaki in Tokyo.
When I said I wanted teppanyaki, she told me we should have it somewhere that does it properly. This is where she took me.
At a good counter restaurant, the meal begins before the food arrives. Preparing ingredients, tending the heat, and finishing each plate all become part of the scene before you.
SHIKAKU, on the fourth floor of The Aoyama Grand Hotel in Tokyo, captures the appeal of counter-style Japanese dining. From seasonal small dishes and meat cooked on a teppan to donabe rice prepared after you order, it offers several ways to enjoy Japanese cooking.
The donabe rice is particularly worth considering. Because it is cooked to order, the meal invites you to enjoy earlier dishes and conversation while awaiting the final course, rather than rushing through dinner. Exploring pairings with sake from around Japan is another way to enjoy the restaurant.
Keep it in mind after exploring Omotesando and Aoyama, when you want to take dinner a little more slowly. If you are interested not only in the finished food but also in how each plate comes together, consider a seat at the counter.
Price impression: A splurge.
View SHIKAKU on Google Maps ↗