A note on the words: a lemon sour is shochu (a Japanese distilled spirit) topped up with soda and lemon, one of the standard things to drink in a Japanese bar. Otoshi is the small dish set in front of you when you sit down, and the small charge for it works as a cover charge rather than a trick. Setoda is a place name in Japan, used here the way a wine list names a grower.
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Andante on Tabelog (English) — opening hours, payment details and the Japanese address are kept up to date there, not here.
So, Hangover Meshi. I had already been drinking at one place and wanted to go somewhere for a second round, so I was drifting around Roppongi. That is when I spotted this place, “Andante.” The sign said something like: a shop for good lemon sours and pasta! Oh ho, a good lemon sour! I want one! So in I went.
Maybe because it was a weekday and fairly late at night, there were no other customers — I practically had the place to myself!
Actually, this is my second stop of the night, and the sign downstairs about the good lemon sour is what pulled me in!
While I was saying that to the master, he brought out miso soup as the otoshi! What a thing! That is kindness.
And of course the first thing to order is the good lemon sour, right?
This is apparently a lemon sour they put a great deal of care into.
One sip and it is completely different. No sweetness, a crisp, sharp lemon sour. The lemons, I am told, are carefully chosen Setoda lemons.
The carbonation is just right, it is properly chilled, and it is delicious. A lemon sour with the lemon right out in front. Yes, this is a good lemon sour. The sign told the truth! Delicious.
I wanted something small to nibble on, so I ordered this. The cheese plate.
Around here is where you start to notice: hold on, this was billed as a bar, but is the food not rather serious?
Cheese melted over bread and warmed, cut into six so it is easy to pick up, with plenty of prosciutto.
The cheese plate was so serious that I went ahead and ordered the carpaccio as well.
This one is beautifully plated too, and very nice. Sea bream carpaccio strewn with strawberries. Delicious.
One thing led to another and, drinking away while chatting a bit with the master, I had a fine time with lemon sours and good little dishes. Even as a second stop, this place has proper food, and I thought that was quite good. The lemon sour they are known for was very tasty too. If you want a second stop around Roppongi and a soft, easy time with a good lemon sour, I highly recommend it.
Andante (Italian / Roppongi Station, Nogizaka Station, Azabu-juban Station)
Tabelog dinner rating ★★★☆☆ 3.4
I ate here and paid for it myself. Nothing on this site is a comped meal.
One more for the road?
