The team at Caveman would prefer not to have their cuisine classified, but if it must be summed up, they suggest – with a grin – calling it ‘progressive Japanese’. This charm and confidence shine through the food at Caveman, as they do the whole package: innovative dishes and drinks, friendly staff, and a more relaxed atmosphere than at similar fine-dining establishments. Produced by the Kabi restaurant team, known for their modern-European-accented Japanese food, Caveman is helmed by owner-chef Atsuki Kuroda, who brings his own experience living and cooking in Italy and Norway.
Dinner is ¥9,900 for nine courses, with alcohol (natural wines, sake, maybe even some mezcal) and non-alcohol (a mixture of teas and fermented drinks) pairings available. The menu changes depending on which ingredients are available on the day, but you can expect imaginative dishes like a potato pancake topped with pickled saba (mackerel), leek mayonnaise, buckwheat seeds, wild strawberries and yogurt powder. Behind the open shelves of lush potted plants – before you reach Switch Coffee – you’ll find a smaller area of Caveman where you can order wine by the glass and small dishes from an a la carte menu.
Happily, Caveman is also alleviating Tokyo’s somewhat wanting brunch scene, with breakfast served daily from 8am. You'll find items like cured meats, egg soufflé, sourdough bread, waffles, plus some house-made condiments. It’s better to book for breakfast, but walk-ins are welcome, too. If you miss out on the full breakfast set, the team will happily help you out with a delicious open sandwich.