01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Located along Misuji-dori in Akasaka, vintheo (ばんてお) is an easygoing yakitori establishment well suited to everything from a quick drink after work to an unhurried get-together. When the lights turn on at 5:00 p.m., guests gather at the counter and table seats to enjoy skewers and drinks at their own pace.
The charcoal skewer selection starts with the classic negima (chicken and scallion), alongside wallet-friendly staples like fragrant grilled chicken wings, hearts, and tender liver. Juicy chicken neck (seseri) is offered with toppings such as grated daikon with ponzu or a salted scallion sauce, pairing clean acidity and savoriness against the rich fat of the chicken. Lean chicken breast (sasami) also invites flavor comparisons, served with choices like ume plum paste or wasabi.
The substantial lineup of small plates between skewer orders is equally hard to overlook. Dishes range from robust drinks-friendly fare—such as rich miso-stewed pork offal and garlic-soy-marinated chicken liver—to lighter palate cleansers like chilled tomatoes and crunchy, seasoned cucumber. Western-accented options tailored to wine are also on hand, including Hatcho miso-marinated cream cheese served with crackers and melted Camembert accompanied by garlic toast.
The beverage list includes draft beer, medium bottles of Sapporo Red Star, Kaku highballs, assorted sours, and Hoppy. Sake drinkers can explore junmai ginjo pours such as Yamanashi's Shichiken and Akita's Yuki no Bosha, alongside wine by the glass and kachiwari wine poured over crushed ice from large 1.8-liter bottles. Whether dropping by alone for a drink and a few skewers or gathering around small plates with good company, it stands as a reliable, inviting stop in Akasaka.
