I heard a rumour that there was a decent yakitori place in Ueno, so I went along with a member of my foodie club. The place is called Torie, and its Tabelog score was very high.
Nikomi
Looking at the menu, the course was not that expensive either, so I just ordered the course, but what came out was more ordinary than I expected.
Simmered daikon
The taste was not bad, but it had gone a bit cold.
Beer first..
Salad
Chicken liver pate spread on bread
About what you would expect for the price. Somehow everything felt stiff, as if it had all been made in advance and then served.
Duck and smoked liver and so on..
This one was tasty, maybe because it was properly cooked. The portion was a bit disappointing, though.
Hourai Tokubetsu Junmai sake
It had a slightly sweet taste.
Sasami
It is okay, but small, and the condition was a bit.. Compared with Souten in Otsuka, it falls a long way behind.
Liver
It tastes good, but.. something is missing.
Tsukune
We ordered a few more besides these, and as a neighbourhood yakitori joint it is worth a visit, but it is not what you would call a famous place that belongs in the top ranks of Tabelog.
Shio ramen to finish
The ramen was just so-so too. I had heard rumours lately that a lot of places manipulate their Tabelog rankings, and it turns out such places really exist.. It is a bit of a shock. A 3.4 would be plenty for this place, and yet it has a 3.9.. Hmm.. I have relied on Tabelog well enough until now, but I will have to be careful from here on.