New Zealand is famous for its lamb, pasture-fed on the country's rolling green hills. Lamb being hard to come by in Japan, a New Zealand restaurant is a good bet if you're craving lamb chops. There are two big ones in Tokyo: Wakanui (B1F, 2-23-14 Higashi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo; 03-3568-3466; www.wakanui.jp) and Arossa (8F Ginza Velvier Bldg., 2-4-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; 03-5524-1146; www.pjgroup.jp/arossa)
Wakanui is a big posh steakhouse — a date kind of place (or, ideally, an expense-account kind of place). Their French rack of Canterbury lamb is grilled on Japanese binchōtan charcoal (considered Japan's best).
The Kiwi friend who recommended Wakanui tells me his go-to dish there is the grass-fed beef, grilled over the same premium charcoal. Ideally, he'll pair it with a red from Providence, one of New Zealand's most ambitious and acclaimed wineries. "It's expensive, though," he admits.
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