The evening begins in a curious manner – an obscure location that makes you fumble for the map and a handwritten post-it note of the restaurant name casually stuck to the front door. But rest assured, you are in the right place – this is Kanjo, and it is time to feast on duck. Duck lover or not, be wowed by the entertaining service and delectable cuisine.
Climb to the third floor of the narrow staircase of a Roppongi building to find no signboard or draped curtain, just a small square of paper nonchalantly taped to a door. In handwritten Japanese it says, “kanjo“, meaning feeling, emotion, even passion. The characters are the chef’s, a new expression of his feelings each day. Inside, it is a teahouse-style Interior by an architect whose work is in designing restaurants of Japanese cuisine, mostly in Kyoto; it has a minimalist, calming feel that helps you leave all the noise of the world outside. A painting of a duck by Dai Okumura adorns the wall, one of a collection of duck-themed paintings and calligraphy changed monthly.
The spruce timber counter seats six to seven in comfortable Arflex chairs that face the striking Shanghai brick cooking space. With plentiful luxurious ingredients, a highly trained chef, and a location that makes you feel like you are one of the fortunate few to dine on this exquisite duck cuisine, you are in for a treat. Relax and watch as it unfolds before your eyes.
