Yamaneko-ken Review Summary

A very charming, rustic experience in which you can easily forget that you are right next to a Tokyo train station. Good food, good service and a reasonably priced lunch menu.

Frankly speaking, it was much better in the past or maybe it tasted better with wine. Now that wine cannot be served due to covid19 restrictions maybe the taste shows its true face. No, I must say that this place is not really French, just à-là-french,but this aside there is more surface than substance. The taste was nothing exceptional. The place is great though, but I won't come again. Besides it's cash only... too many negative things for a simple just beyond-average dinner....

I came to know this Japanese-Frecnch style restaurant when I first went to Laputa Asagaya mini theatre in 1998. The theatre shows good old Japanese films especially post-war films. Anyway, I was so famished after watching the film and went upstairs to have a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate gateaux. When the theatre was still new to Asagaya area, I remember the restaurant didn't have much on the menu and not that popular. It was a very quiet place especially in the evening but now with social media, they seem to have some loyal customers.
Personally, I don't recommend here to have special dinner but good to drop by for casual dinner or lunch after seeing some films at the mini-theatre downstairs.
Not a place to visit from afar unless you're living in the neighborhood or you're planning to see a film at Laputa Asagaya.（Note: this restaurant don't have restrooms catered for people with disabilities and temporary injured people with use of mobility aids like crutches. )

How about a review like this:

I received the lunch set A.
The appetizer platter is beautifully colored and you can tell that each dish is carefully made.

The main course, pork loin steak, was tender, juicy, and perfectly grilled.
The accompanying vegetables were also delicious!

The dessert raspberry gelato had a good balance of sourness and sweetness and was perfect after a meal.

With an exterior reminiscent of a Ghibli movie and a calm, sunny interior, this is a restaurant you'll definitely want to visit again!

We had the chef's special full course from MENU C and the hors d'oeuvre platter + main dish + small dessert from MENU A on different days this month.

Personally, I feel that the C course has more volume for both appetizers and desserts, and the cost performance is higher overall!
I especially appreciate that the desserts you can choose from are of a high standard and not too sweet.

I have been going to this store for many years, but I am very disappointed to hear that it will close in March and move to Karuizawa. The amount of light shining into the store made it feel like I was in France, so I'm looking forward to reopening in the new location.