Restaurants near Imperial Hotel Tokyo

I had a ten hour connection in Tokyo so I went into the city for sushi. Takaya was a terrific choice. Delicious fresh fish combined with a friendly relaxed attitude. I was a bit apprehensive about dining alone, but the chef made me feel welcome, and I had fun chatting with him. Tip: the seats at the far right side of the counter have a direct view of the chef preparing sushi, which was fascinating.

Amazing experience, spectacular food, and superb service! We will be back again.

The food is exquisite and meets expectations. The portion of the set meal I ordered is sufficient.

My partner and I were the only customers dining that evening. I speak Japanese and chose to play interpreter for my partner, but the staff seemed quite willing to accommodate us in English. I'm not certain of the exact title of our server (maitre d'?), but he was incredibly friendly and well versed in all things food and drink! The meal itself was delightful, of course. Some highlights included the presentation of the first course (the best hamo I've had all summer: just a little bit warm and soft, and beautifully arranged atop a dewy lotus leaf); the perfect sashimi course (uni with fresh wasabi, tender sumi-ika, and a sensational smoky katsuo (bonito) that had none of the metallic fishy flavor I usually associate with bonito); the hairy crab with a creamy abalone gratin of sorts, served inside a lemon; not to mention the desserts! (a nutty zunda warabi mochi, peach pannacotta with peach jelly and fresh peach slices, and a quenelle of milk tea ice cream). But what really made the night special was the service. (Having the restaurant to ourselves might have helped.) My partner and I were having a little chat about what "umami" actually tastes like, and the entire restaurant staff was able to explain to us, off the top of their heads, the types of amino acids comprising different types of umami flavor -- in seaweed/kelp, tomato, tea, meat, seafood, etc. . They even printed out a chart for us! Even better than "impeccable service" is being made to feel like a welcome guest by those who genuinely know and love food.

A small perfect jewel in the Ginza. Hayashida is masterful.