Address - Tokyo-to, Suginami-ku, Asagaya 1-12-21 Opening hours - Open every day from 11:30 AM to 11 PM Map - See directions Telephone - 3336-5445 Menu - In Japanese CC - OK

I went to Yamaneko-ken with four friends after reading a positive review on the Daily Yomiuri (BTW, my thanks to the Epicures). The horrendous Laputa building, where Yamaneko-ken is, is very close to the station but not particularly easy to find, so that we had to ask for directions several times (read carefully the instructions at the end of this review).

The interior at Yamaneko-ken itself is nice enough, if not particularly interesting. I would recommend you to eat in the rather more relaxing open-air patio on the upper floor, very romantic in the evening because of the red city lights of Ogikubo.
The cook, who came to our table to talk to us, is a very young and interesting fellow with a wispy beard who told us that, even if the basis of his food is French, he likes to take liberties (the restaurant's business card even says that it serves Asagaya Ryori). Whatever it is, he does have all the necessary taste to make it work, and the results are heterodox but excellent.

The food was all equally good, from the appetizers to the dessert.
After ordering, to kill time we were given some excellent bread they make themselves with two differents, great spreads. Our seafood salads, all different, were exceptionally tasty and beautiful to see. Later we had some excellent grilled fish and, to close the meal, three slices of diffferent cakes.

The people at Yamaneko-ken obviously care about their work, and it shows in many small details, like the beautiful business card they give you when you leave. The cost? Just 3500 ~ 4000 yen with drinks. Yamaneko-ken is a good restaurant and I wish the guys there a lot of luck. I certainly got my money's worth.

Get out of the north exit of Asagaya station (Chuo line) and you will see a small square with two streets going to the left. Take the second. At the TOA Fitness Club, turn right and you will see the Laputa Building with Yamaneko-ken in front of you.