Salsita ^[1] Mexican Cafe & Bar is located in Ebisu. The address is 東京都渋谷区恵比寿西１−３−２ but if kanji and chome numbers are useless to you then take the JR to Ebisu station. Go out the west exit, turn right and hit the crosswalk towards NOVA, walk down the street to the right of NOVA, take the first small street on your right and mindblowing cuisine is only 100m down on your left (the only thing on your right is traintracks, this is how you will know if *you* are on track…gag).

The chef’s name is Moriyama Koji and he studied/apprenticed in Mexico, then returned to share the wondrous things he learned there with us. He is a beautiful, beautiful man. Nothing you eat is prepared by any hands other than Mr. Moriyama’s, and nothing you order is begun until after you’ve ordered it. The attention to detail is fanatical and the results are….astounding. It’s a one-man show, moving at glacial speed by Tokyo standards. Time dilates inside this tiny restaurant, so you and thirteen other guests can enjoy, in addition to a fantastic meal, respite from this hyperkinetic town.

Most dishes are straightforward Mexican or TexMex fare, but a must-have on the menu is the shrimp and avocado cocktail, featuring some of the sweetest cocktail shrimp I’ve ever eaten in an olive, tomato, jalape