I was in the neighborhood for a meeting and my friend had just canceled lunch at the last minute. I walked by the place and peeked inside, it looked ok and half tables were free. The menu didn't look like much and I couldn't find my fave dish: eel but I was hungry and decided to give it a try. The japanese chef made eye contact and invited me to take a seat at the counter in front of him, which I did. 5 minutes later, the waiter walks by, looks at me and tells me the seat is reserved and gestures me to sit over there in the back, which I do. I get a grilled salmon and tap japanese beer, setting me back about 17EU which is decent and the food is ok, nothing bad about it but really nothing standing out either. About 10 mn later I realize I picked rush hour. The place has become packed full and the noise level is now unpleasant. People are lining up inside and outside and waiting for empty spots. Some are eyeing my table rather obviously. One woman pulled out the chair in front of me and rested her coat on it, I thought she was about to join me at the table but she was looking to pay her check at the counter and obviously not very keen on manners. In disbelief, I looked up and before I said anything to her, her male companion apologized and they rushed out. The waiter said nothing and just continued whatever he was doing. Unbelievable. My experience was not good, but maybe it was a bad day. What is certain, is that the food I got was not out of the ordinary, and for a restaurant in the famed japanese district, it was below expectations. read more