MARUGO OTTO

The beer-battered eggplant and Japanese whiting fritters pair the juicy eggplant and savoury fish with the salty taste of cured ham. Hoegaarden makes a natural link between the beer in the batter and a glass to drink alongside: a combination that feels characteristic of MARUGO OTTO. Choose this substantial plate when you want a snack with enough heft to stand on its own. Hoegaarden White is also on the menu, described as fruity and refreshing, with notes of orange peel and coriander.

For a dish to anchor the meal, consider the truffle risotto. Its rich depth comes with the fragrant, toasted aroma of truffle and cheese, and diners have singled it out as a memorable order. Other visitors have enjoyed it alongside caprese, ajillo and lamb, making it easy to build a meal from starters through to hot dishes.

For lamb, Mao-style lamb spare ribs come with 2 pieces. The dish is described as generously coated in spices, and diners who ordered it have remarked on that spice. It could be a good addition to a meal of shared meat dishes.

Wine offers plenty of choice beyond beer. The by-the-glass selection includes Champagne, sparkling, white, rosé and red wines, while the wine list features around 150 labels. Whether you would like to try several wines by the glass or ask the sommelier to help select a bottle, there are options to pair with your meal.

Live piano adds another element to the meal. Some diners have described enjoying starters, meat dishes and wine by the glass while listening to jazz. Reviews note that performances take place at set times, so check when booking if you would like to plan your visit around the music.

The Shinjuku-sanchome restaurant has private rooms and accepts reservations. With dishes for a full dinner as well as drinks for a second stop of the evening, it offers choices to suit different ways of spending the night.