The unassuming outward appearance of Zetton betrays the coziness of its interior and the deliciousness of its offerings. Located near the corner of Komazawa-dori and Meiji-dori in Hiroo, this venue by a Nagoya-based restaurant design group (which operates some 20+ restaurants and a couple of bars in both Nagoya and Tokyo) is quite busy during lunch hours. While Nagoyan-cuisine must have had some outlets somewhere in the city, apparently Zetton seems to popularize this cuisine even more by opening this restaurant back in 2001 (the first Zetton restaurant opened in 1995 in Nagoya).
There is al-fresco dining (two tables plus a plastic-covered love seat); there is even a pole to tie your dog's leash. (I forgot to ask if dogs were welcome at the al-fresco table.) Upon entering the indoor dining, to your left is a sunken area with four tables for two. To your right, another sunken area with two tables for up to four people, above which is
a mezzanine with a low-rise table for Japanese style sitting. Walking further you will find a bar/counter area with seatings and another table across the bar for dining.
Menu includes different variations of Ishiyaki (stonebowl) rice: one with tuna and garlic soy sauce; one with pork and apple; and another with minced chicken, leaf mustard, and egg. Then there is the specially made grilled eel with bitter soy sauce on rice in the hot stonebowl, accompanied by condiments of green onion, seaweed, and wasabi, plus hot tea to pour onto the leftover rice at the end. Price range: ¥550-¥1360. There is a kabab offering (the reportedly wildly popular Misokushikatsu, or misokatsu on a stick, which is truly delicious) at ¥140/stick.
Drinks include Japanese, Korean, and Chinese Teas, Coffee & Tea, soft drinks and alcohols, ranging from ¥400-¥840.Desserts that we had ordered: Almond jelly with fruits and Yuzu sauce (¥500) and Jasmine Tea pudding (¥480), both of which were yummilicious.
Lunch set menu offering consists of three items: A (the ishiyaki bowl), B (the noodle dish), and C (specially made). All came with self-serve miso-soup, tea and coffee (hot and cold, including gum syrup and cream), and salad. Each day the preparation for all the sets changes, but the theme remains the same: A is ishiyaki-type, B is noodle-type, etc.
Did I mention that every one of the staff members are kind, helpful, and wonderful? Japanese servers are known for their politeness and service, but Zetton's servers are slightly different from the others.
There is no separate smoking/non-smoking area. Cash and credit-cards accepted.
[Updated: April 23, 2007]:
Here are two pictures from my latest visit: one is of the delicious Misokushikatsu, or miso-sauce laden slim tonkatsu on a stick, at ¥140/stick (above left). It is dangerously addictive, and the other is of the Beef Stew in Miso Sauce (down below). The beef is stewed just right, firm on the plate and on the fork or chopstick, but breaks down easily in your mouth. Yummilicious! (Oh, yes, the bowl to the back and right of the beef is the Ishiyaki rice with Pork and Apple.)
Zetton
1F SPC Japan Bldg.
1-1-33 Hiroo
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012
Japan
Tel: (03) 5774-1917
Fax: (03) 5774-1916
Hours: 11:30 - 27:00 (3 AM)
Google Map: Zetton
