The solstice is upon us, and the holiday season is closing in fast. But before we take refuge under the mistletoe and give ourselves over to the usual Yuletide overindulgence, we must first clear the clutter from the Food File desk and tidy up all the loose ends.
There are never enough column inches to do justice to all the fine restaurants, cafes, izakaya and bars that we visit. So for our final column of 2006, we'd like to catch up on just a few places that have lingered in our memories and on our taste buds during the past 12 months. And to all Japan Times readers, best wishes for the season, good health and good eating in the year ahead!
Although we have dined superlatively well in 2006 -- as documented in this column -- very few of the standout places were restaurants that actually opened this year. This was especially true when it came to Japanese cooking. We are still looking for somewhere to supplant in our affections the wonderful Banrekiryukodo, near Azabu Juban.