Restaurant Romanee - ロマネ 横須賀

Even though it's a basement place, the entrance-way of Romanee (Poisson and Cocktail Bar) always looked intriguing from the street. A weathered stucco exterior, an a old style wooden barn door entrance, and a window display grab your attention on this small backstreet. 

L'Exteriore

Finally one day I was able to see what this place was all about and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.  What awaits you as you get down the stairs you'll never guess, but if you read on I will reveal all.

So what's with the name "Romanee"? Well I believe it's an estate in France that produces some of the world's best wine - and Restaurant Romanee has plenty of wine on display to pair with your dinner.

As you enter the street-side door you'll be blocked by a sign from going up the stairs, leaving your only option to go down the stairs. The ceiling is quite low and the stairs a bit dark in places. You'll be walking down for a long time (like at least four whole flights of stairs!! - hey it's even longer going up) making it seem like you're entering the Tokyo subway system or visiting Hoover Dam. One other reviewer likened it to Pirates of the Caribbean. You'll eventually get to the bottom and then you'll see something moving to your right. OK - that's just your reflection in a long mirror made to look like a window. Keep moving a bit more and enter the door to be greeted with "irasshaimase!"

First thought was wow - pretty cool place. You emerge from the cave-like stairs into a large open room with lots going on. Once you enter you'll realize why you had to go down so far, as the room is large with high ceilings.

Open every day except Sunday.
Lunch 1130-1500
Dinner 1700-2400 (open until 0300 on Fridays and Saturdays)

Looking in through the entrance curtain

There are only about six tables in the place but a lot of counter and bar space. Behind the counter is an open kitchen where you can watch your meal being prepared.  On the day I went, the owner was there cooking along with another chef.

Romanee has four different set lunches which -may- change everyday. Option D (see menu below) is the "Healthy Salad" and does not change. 

Romanee has been in business since 1999 but it holds a little secret. If you came by here 20 years ago I'm told, the place was a neighborhood movie theater, hence the high ceilings. The screen was on the wall behind the kitchen. So there, you're eating in an historical landmark.

They have an English menu too, even though they don't get too many Americans in this hidden gem. The menu is thick but most of it is drinks.  The main menu is two pages and there was another that looked like a seasonal menu (in the Japanese only menu). The photos are below.

When asked what kind of restaurant it was (French, Italian,..) the response was hesitant - but the answer is that Romanee serves "many" dishes including Japanese style.

Romanee is located just about a block south from Tori Gin. and behind Myeongdong Tenka. They have a little video on their website that will take you down their steps and into their restaurant. 

See the blog map II for their location.

La Petit Soup - or as they say in Japan - Puchi soup

C-set lunch. Soup, Pork, salad, Japanese Omelette, and Bread or Rice

Owner slicing up some marinated salmon from a large fillet for the fresh salad

Fresh Salad - with some ham, salmon, and dressing

Simple dessert

Homemade sausage...

Catch of the Day

Entrance Cave

#93