Walking toward Motomachi from Ishikawacho Station, I discovered B&W, a small 2nd-floor bar with large windows allowing a glimpse of the homey interior. I couldn’t resist checking it out! The relaxed, non-smoking atmosphere and wooden furnishings made me feel right at home.
The bar has four rotating taps of craft beer (half ¥550~/pint ¥950~). To start I decided on Yokohama Brewery’s Tsumugi, a hazy Belgian blond ale with a dry, fruity flavor. I was also fortunate enough to try the Apple White by Yatsugatake Beer.
Owner and sommelier Hisaya Tamoto selects each bottle of wine (glass￥700~/bottle ¥3000~) according to the season and the dishes he serves. Tamoto recommends the orange wine, an uncommon variety of white wine made by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the fermenting grapes. This gives it an orange color and delivers a unique aroma and refreshing, complex taste. Tamoto’s dishes are simple, but they consist of an array of styles and tastes which he picked up from experience working at various restaurants. I tried the Liver Mousse (¥480) and the juicy Duck Carpaccio (￥650), every bite of which bursts with umami. The Marinated Mushrooms with Balsamic Sauce (¥380) was tangy and fresh, a perfect match for beer or wine. You can also enjoy a mix of these dishes all in one “Otsumami Plate” (¥600/person). Tamoto holds tasting events once a month. “I’m planning a nabe (hot pot) party next,” he says with a smile. “It’ll be perfect for the cold weather!”
Customers kept coming in, one after another as we talked. They probably peered through the window and were drawn in just as I was! The interior consists of a counter with 12 seats surrounding a big screen for watching sports or movies. The cozy, living-room-like atmosphere is the perfect setting for lively conversations between customers.
