We visited Tokyo for the first time in April (Sakura Season!) and were staying at one of the major hotels in the Shinjuku area. We stumbled upon this tiny restaurant in a quiet street almost secretly tucked away when we were just wandering around for...dinner. The staff makes sure their diners have a pleasant experience, so we were greeted outside when we inquired about availability. They were unsurprisingly booked that night and the wait staff was apologetic but took it upon themselves to coordinate a reservation for a later date with great patience while we were still in town, which ended up being our last night in Tokyo.
We returned for our reservation and they remembered us immediately. They seated us at the counter and we opted for the Chef's Special Course (9-course fixed menu) and picked out two sakes to complement. We had the opportunity to interact with the chef who helped to prepare many of our courses. The menu is different from what most Americans are used to in that it's not strictly sushi; there will be courses that will come out from the kitchen and not contain raw fish.
Everyone was friendly in a genuine manner. I accidentally dropped my coat at one point, but it fell into a corner and I figured it'd be too much of a hassle to retrieve. Somehow, the wait staff noticed and managed to return it to the back of my seat without interrupting the dining experience.
GENUINE. It's hard to come by being a tourist in a new city and you struggle to speak the language. The the wait and kitchen staff aren't overbearing, but rather encouraging and speak enough English to help you through the meal. They make sure you're well taken care of and don't rush you. They're patient, easygoing, and will embrace you in all your awkward tourist glory. We were humbled by their graciousness.
Thank you so much どうもありがとうございます Shinjuku Makoto for the perfect dinner during our last night in Tokyo. We hope to see you again when we return to Japan!More