As someone who loves a gourmet delight but doesn't want to let it show, I always end up seriously indecisive when confronted with a restaurant menu. My dilemma only deepens whenever it comes to high-end dining – it all looks so good, but I'm only allowed to pick one...
For those of you who feel my pain and always wish they could try as many dishes as possible during one sitting, the Strings by InterContinental Tokyo in Shinagawa has the perfect antidote: the hotel's Dining Room has been serving up a menu of 'Tapa-tizers' (tapas and appetisers, of course) since last year, inviting you to try a selection of more than 20 kinds of petite treats, both savoury and sweet. The staff will serve a series of small dishes at your table, but you can also pick as many options as you want off the 'favourites' menu.
25 to 28 courses – this is going to take some time...
The Tapa-tizer special is about to celebrate its first birthday, so the hotel will be offering a special dinner course – modestly entitled 'The Art of Tapa-tizers' – through the month of November. Now even more colourfully and carefully plated than over the past year, these dishes cause both visual and gustatory surprises. Starting with simple breadsticks served with three different dipping sauces and extending to seasonal mini-mains and desserts, they're sure to keep your palate guessing – and they even go swimmingly with booze. The dinner course is available from 5.30pm to 10pm daily, and will set you back ¥10,000 per person (plus tax and service). A little dear, sure, but well worth keeping in mind for a special occasion – or for when you simply need to get your mind off the urban grind.
Bread and dessert become art
The Strings is conveniently located, just a minute's walk from Shinagawa Station and occupying the upper floors of the Shinagawa East One Tower. It's a supremely tranquil spot, perfect for escaping the city over a tasty meal. As the hotel's general manager, Hiroyuki Kaneko, points out: 'our customers spend a longer time at our restaurants than they do at those of other hotels.' Well, we now think we know why.