For great food and wine, W Omotesando The Cellar Grill is where you need to go. I have been going there regularly since 2015 and it has never disappointed me. The food tastes great, the menu is diverse and the wine selection impressive. Yet, it is both affordable and casual.
The W Grill has gotten really popular over these past couple of years. I used to just walk in and get a seat without too much trouble, but lately it has become very difficult to get in without a reservation — at least on weekends. So, if you want to go, it is better to make a booking.
The Atmosphere
W Omotesando The Cellar Grill is an ideal spot for a casual date night. If you go there with a special someone, ask for a counter seat. It really is what makes this place unique. The counter is very popular because you get an open view of the grill, where a chef is cutting, seasoning, grilling and working meticulously on what you are about to eat. If you want to go with colleagues or friends, ask for a table but avoid the barrel seats, they are uncomfortable.
The Food
W Omotesando The Cellar Grill serves many European-style dishes but it also uses a lot of local ingredients. The portions are meant to be shared — as is the tradition in Japan — so they are on the small side. There is always a seasonal menu so, even if you have your go-to items in the regular menu, every dinner at this restaurant can hold a new discovery.
Chicken Liver Pâté (630 yen)
One of my absolute favorite starters is the Chicken Liver Pâté. It is a great nibble to work up your appetite. The texture is smooth and, it tastes quite sweet because of the honey they use in their recipe. Overall, it has a pretty strong flavor which I love, but it might be a bit too much for some.
Bruschetta of Foie gras with Kumquat Jam (1,080 yen)
Last time I went to the W Grill, I tried the Bruschetta of Foie gras with Kumquat Jam from the seasonal menu. I was a bit worried when I saw how thick the bruschetta — er, baguette?! — was, but it turned out to be better than it looked. The baguette was crispy but soft in the inside so it was easy to have small bites and enjoy each flavor. I was a bit disappointed because the foie gras was not homemade, but the kumquat jam was a nice twist from the usual chutney.
One scallop from the grill cut in half (780 yen)
The scallops from the grill are extremely popular! One scallop is a bit expensive, but its generous size makes up for it. What truly is memorable about the scallops is their tender and juicy texture. The butter herb sauce they use works perfectly well and the pinch of salt brings a delightful final touch.
Angus Beef (980 yen)
Diced Steak of Lamb with Truffle Salt (seasonal – 1,080 yen)
You basically can’t go wrong with any of the meats or veggies from the grill. The Diced Steak of Lamb from the seasonal menu was maybe a little too well-done for my liking, but the Angus Beef was on point. The meat and veggies are always grilled in a simple way, and simple is definitely best. If you order a meat, it will come bare with just a pinch of salt and herbs. They also usually put some mustard and lemon on the side if you want to add some additional flavoring.
Cheese Platter (6 types of cheese – 2,900 yen)
If I had to pick one favorite out of the entire menu, it would be the cheese board. Going to the grill and skipping cheese is just not an option for me. Okay, it is not exactly cheap — the price ranges from 1,900 to 2,900 yen depending on how many types of cheese you want — but if you are a hard-core cheese-lover like me, it is well worth the price. Technically, you can’t really choose what cheeses you get if you order an assortment, but I have never had a problem negotiating 2 or 3 of my favorites when ordering.
The Drinks
One of the things I really like about the W Omotesando The Cellar Grill is that it also operates as a wine shop. There is obviously a wine list from which you can select your bottle or glass of wine at the restaurant, but you can also walk to the shop area at the entrance and pick a bottle from there — just keep in mind that there is a 650 yen corkage fee! Prices for a bottle start slightly under 3,000 yen. There is also a cellar area in the back where you can pick up more exclusive and expensive wines.
Wine shop area at the entrance
Last time I went to the Grill, my boyfriend and I shared a bottle of Trois Voyelles 2005, a Californian Syrah. This heavy-bodied red wine paired well with the meat we ate — especially the lamb and beef. The sommelier, Takeuchi-san, helped us pick the bottle. He always does a fantastic job so if you ever need some advice, just ask for him. He is definitely very skilled and can guide you through their extensive wine selection. After such a big meal, we didn’t have space left for dessert, but we enjoyed some digestives. I highly recommend the Calvados or the Grappa!
Wine cellar at the back
Overall
W Omotesando The Cellar Grill is always a great place to go to. If you are looking for an excellent place to enjoy nice wine and food in a non-fussy atmosphere, give it a try!
W omotesando The Cellar Grill
Opening hours: open everyday from 17:30 to 23:00 or 24:00 depending on the day
Website: click here
Address: Aoyama Parks Bldg B1F 3-10-6 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061
Telephone: 03-3400-3552
