dress
+ SHIBUYA, TOKYO

If you’ve found this site, you’re likely the type to enjoy this kind of restaurant. Since arriving in Tokyo, I’ve become a big fan of tiny bars, particularly the mysterious, hidden type. Rarely do I share the location or details of these bars, that is, unless it’s with someone who I feel would show the bar the same equal appreciation that I feel. Thus, a simple forewarning request. Please call ahead and reserve a seat for this one, and watch your head on the way in. You’ll understand when you get there. Don’t expect any English, it’s Japanese only once you get through the doors(or if you can even make it up the tiny stairway…). Going with a Japanese friend is recommended unless you’ve got a year or so of Japanese under your belt or a good phrase book. Fear not though, the group is always warm and welcoming, even with me and my limited linguistics. This bar seats no more than 7 people fairly comfortably in it’s tiny space. If this is your first Tokyo “tiny bar,” be prepared to drink and eat in a bar the size of an average American closet. That space though, is a beautifully designed space. With black lacquered, rounded windows and wooden lattice above the kitchen, even their business cards were sleek and smartly designed. From outside, the mystique from the warm light emitting from the oddly shaped windows and unique little door were more than enough to peak my interest and curiosity.

Upon sitting, we were requested to order drinks. We ordered a glass of red and white wine without being offered a wine list. In any normal restaurant this would be a sure warning sign, but here, our chef/bartender knew just what would match his dishes. I’m no wine connoisseur, but our two glasses well matched our feeling that evening. We browsed the menu beside the kitchen and chose the tuna and avocado tar tar, the cream curry chicken, and the gorgonzola penne, along with a plate of smoked camembert and bleu cheese. The first dish out was the tuna and avocado tar tar, something not unique to many Tokyo restaurants, but quite special here. The tuna was marinated in olive oil, fresh basil, and something else we couldn’t really pinpoint. It was delicious. I’d even go as far as saying perfect. The fresh basil leaves really made the dish. Our cream curry chicken was served shortly after. The aroma was unforgettable. We expected a sort of standard curry dish, but this was nothing we expected. The chicken was seared with a light, crispy skin, glazed with our chef’s unique cream curry sauce. Just the smell alone and the simple presentation made us jump for our cameras before hastily devouring it. Must order this again next time.

Our conversation about live houses and jazz with the other patrons was just getting started when our gorgonzola pasta arrived steaming hot. The flavor was so deep and rich, it was impossible not to feel like we were split into two conversations, with our new friends and our pasta. It was a breeze to finish between the two of us, though we wish it lasted longer. Of course we continued with our wine throughout the evening. When my white ran out, he showed the next bottle first before opening, but I was already convinced by his selection of wine. The cheese, by the way, was a fitting crown on an excellent meal, it was served with sliced dry raisins, mango and fig.

We had a great time, and the unique food and great wine will certainly bring us back. If you’re meeting a friend and can’t decide on dinner, this is a nice place to try out. The menu is written mostly in katakana and the chef didn’t utter a word of English, so I recommend going with a Japanese friend or taking along a phrase book. Worth the effort, it was a great experience and a smart date spot. Prices range from 800 yen - 1,000 yen per dish, with a glass of wine somewhere around 600-800 yen per glass.

dress
URL: http://www.dress-2f.com (click on the link that says, “MASTER” for a good laugh)
Tel.: 03-5467-0030

To get to dress:
1. Exit Shibuya Station on the Hachiko side(the famous dog statue meeting place, check your generic guide book).
2. Walk right past the koban(police box) and cross the road.
3. Continue right, past the shop with the fruit characters, the ramen shop, and the Pepper Steak.
4. You’ll see an alley parallel to the train tracks on your left with lanterns hung overhead, walk down this street and it’s the last bar on your right.
5. The door is to the right of the smiling old lady who will watch you when you get close to the building. Smile back and go upstairs, try her bar later.

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