Gen Yamamoto cocktails, Tokyo

Kiwi with matcha and sake

Gen Yamamoto serves truly lovely cocktails – simple, elegant, and seasonal.

It’s omakase for drinks, chef’s choice based on what’s good in the market.  The only decision you need to make is between the 4 or 6 course menu.  (Definitely the 6 course!)

The centerpiece of the tiny space is a live-edge wooden bar polished til it glows, with 8 seats arranged around it in an L and just enough space behind for Gen-san to work.  The bar and the chef share the same name.

He makes each drink with great focus, carefully preparing this or that ingredient and selecting just the right glass for his next creation.  Each features fruit, vegetable, or herbs, plus sake or shochu (or, in one of our drinks, rye vodka); the colors and flavors are vibrant.

These are drinks meant to be sipped and savored.

Konatsu (summer orange) with rice wine shochu and cucumber

Strawberry with sweet potato shochu and basil

Ginger with barley shochu

Tomato with Lithuanian rye vodka and shiso

Fava bean with milk, sweet dessert sake, and sancho pepper leaves

Gen-san worked in New York previously, and speaks English.  Definitely make a reservation at least the day before (by email or phone) – this is a courtesy that is appreciated, and otherwise, it may book up!

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Tips on finding it:  Best metro option is the Hibiya line to Roppongi station; the Azabu-Juban station is closer but seems to be about 50 stories underground, so any time you could save is lost climbing stairs and escalators!  Use Google maps to navigate, the bar is in a small alley.  There’s a discreet sign at the entrance.