 Tsukishima, famous for their Monja-yaki, is a delightful area to enjoy the
Tokyo's traditional subculture. Monja is not the only delight offered by
Tsukishima, however, as there is an attractive Spanish restaurant that
easily beguiles your expectations of this once-upon-a-factory town.The restaurant that claims the spotlight in this issue is the "Spain Club" where a touch of passionate Spain is felt in the traditional downtown area of Tokyo. The restaurant is actually a refurbished warehouse, it stands wide and open to welcome guests without borders. The open atmosphere created by the high ceiling brings about a casual allusion to the tavernas of Spain.  As you enter the restaurant, you'll notice the big pans of Paella, poised
just right of the entrance. These pans are the source of tantalizing aroma
and do well to stimulate your hunger even before you get seated. The variety
of foods available on the menu will not let you down either, as they seem
to be very well presented. It's quite all right to order various dishes
all at once to your heart's desire, but if you'd rather choose to follow
a prix-fixe course as suggested by the restaurant, that would be fine as
well.In either case, do not miss the paella. Skipping this dish would be an insult to the owner of the restaurant, as the paella served here deserves a special mention. The big, deep pan used to cook the paella let's the rice absorb abundant flavor from the vegetable and meat, resulting in a passionate harmony that's sure to win a nod from a stubborn locals of downtown Tsukishima. And another typical Spanish dish is Jamon Serrano, thinly sliced from a centerpiece leg sculpture complete with a hoof. Additionally, you can enjoy Jamon Iberico. Iberico is a special kind of pig fed with acorns. Jamon Serrano is dry and chewy like a beef jerky, while Jamon Iberico is softer and juicier and seasoned with garlic oil. Both are good side dishes for drink. It's always nice to be able to choose from two kinds of delicious Spanish hams. If I would pick one dish to rave about, it would be the stew of beef tripe. In short, a delicious product that was beyond my average expectation. Some may disdain the thought of eating a gut, but the tripe is stewed until it becomes very soft like wheat gluten, it has no special odor or peculiarity. It's also stewed with spicy chili sauce beans, so it's not as challenging as you might otherwise think. As for me, I liked it so much that I could not help to scrape the last drop from the bowl with the bread. Drinks, a good companion of delicious foods, are also in abundance. Sangria, the famous fruit cocktail, are just as indispensable here as they are in homeland. And lest I forget, I must mention that their list of Spanish wines deserved a closer look. When you order a bottle of wine, a staff pours the wine to a decanter in order to remove sediment in the bottom. Service and atmosphere is cheerful, and warm enough to fool you that you are still standing upright. Speaking of service, the Flamenco show held on every Monday is something to notice. Allured to the passionate dance and songs in Spanish, and catered with a delightful array of dishes, one could not help but chant "Tsukishima, Ole."
Spain Club Tel. 03-3533-5381 1-14-7 Tsukishima, Chuoh-ku, Tokyo (About 2 minutes on foot from No. 7 Exit of Tsukishima station, Yuraku-cho Line & Oh-edo Line, Subway) |
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