I haven't been to SHIBUROKU in a while, probably because it's in Nishiazabu. Nishiazabu is very out of the way. There are no train stations conveniently close enough to the restaurants you want to go to. While it's only a 15 minute walk down the street from my office in Roppongi, it's 15 minutes too far to walk in the dogs days of summer. The humidity and heat will probably kill you on the way there. Taxi is an option or course, but I feel ridiculous taking a cab for a distance less than the initial fare of 710 yen. So I guess I'll go back in Autumn.
SHIBUROKU is a part of the monstrosity that is the Kiwa Corporation. There are some mediocre restaurants under the roof of the Kiwa franchise and there are some that are just so incredibly high-end that you can only go once a year. I think Shiburoku is actually one of the more decent and affordable Kiwa establishments.
Their menu is reflected in the name. Their menu is precisely a Shi (four) Meat to Roku (six) Fish ratio. The dishes are very simplistic - most of them are just grilled over charcoal flames and served with a dash of salt. This is a place where you can enjoy the full and natural flavor of fresh ingredients. I have to admit that 700 yen for cold tomatoes and 800 yen for asparagus is a little overpriced, but once you have the various fish (mackerel, 1800 yen or sashimi mori, 2800 yen) and the skewered meats (sirloin, 3800 yen), you'll be content to fork out a few extra bills. The presentation is pretty, the attention to detail is very Japanese. Sit at the long, beautiful counter and talk to the chefs who prepare the food right in front of you. They'll tell you where the cucumbers came in from this morning or how to prepare boiled eggs using oolong tea.
For avid food network watchers like myself, Tokyo is definitely a great place to eat and learn. Many restaurants boast a open kitchen where you can interact with the owners and chefs. Shiburoku is not for the party seekers or happy-hour crowds. It's a quiet restaurant for the older, more refined. I always feel very out of place there, but it's a nice place to go if your co-worker wants to tell you she's having doubts about work or feels like she hasn't had healthy food in a while. A sigh of relief, I guess you can say.
SHIBUROKU（四分六）
Minato-ku, Nishiazabu 4-2-10, Nunoya House 1F, Tokyo
Open 11:30-14:30, 18:00-23:00
Tel: 03.3486.5560
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