----------------------------------- sanji Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:58 pm Re: Shinjuku - Japanese food ----------------------------------- Yamato (やまと) - Izakaya **** Address - Yoyogi 2-1-1, Shinjuku Maynds Tower B1F Open - 11:30 - 14:00 / 17:00 - 23:00 Telephone - 03-3377-1233 This restaurant is located on the underground of the Maynds Tower (マインズタワー). The settings are really nice, with tatami rooms reached following corridors were you can enjoy the sight of small gardens with even some water running. The service is excellent, and immediately places this restaurant in the category of upper-class izakaya. There is a good selection of food, and some of the dishes were excellent surprises. The tempura (anago - eel - for 1480 yen or vegetables for 710 yen) were just perfect. We also enjoyed okura croquettes, an unusual dish (650 yen), and yubashumai, Chinese raviolis made with skin of tofu (640 yen). One of the features of Yamato is their rice dishes, large portions with a choice of side dishes which are mixed by the staff just before being served. We choose the tai rice, which was good but fat too expensive (1280 yen per person, and you have to order for 2 persons at least). Drinks were a little expensive. Beer is 650 yen, while most nihon-shu are between 700-900 yen for ichigo (180 mL), which is a little bit more than what you can expect usually in izakaya. There is also a good selection of desserts, including a creme brulee (420 yen). Overall impression was that of a good address for tasty food, but with a bill that will reach 5000-6000 yen per person with the drinks. Web - www.yamato-sinjuku.jp