ロールキャベツの深化　大人びた名作のデミ : Bistro Roven Mita

Exploring Western Cuisine
Along the railroad tracks from Tamachi Station
Roll Cabbage Edition

In the office district,
lunch is a fierce competition,
and there are plenty of options to choose from.

While there are many food streets in buildings,
the single-house restaurants nestled in between
are uniquely special despite being close to the station.

Established in 2013, this Western-style bistro
prepares its roll cabbage in the oven,
which is where the name 'Roven' comes from.

This place is one of the few spots known for roll cabbage.
While Akashiya in Tokyo is a standout,
there are only a handful of others known for it.

More labor-intensive than hamburg steak,
it’s a comfort food
that’s perhaps not easy to make famous.

The cabbage is well-cooked,
with ground meat hidden inside,
and above all, its shape is remarkable.

Puffed and oval-shaped,
it offers a juicy bite,
making for an alluring roll cabbage.

After ten years in operation,
Roven has grown from its founding in 2013 to four locations.

In 2018, they opened their second shop in Hachioji,
followed by the third branch in Shiba Park in 2019,
and by the end of 2021, they also opened in Shinjuku Nomura Building.

They uniquely provide a classical atmosphere and cuisine,
focusing entirely on homemade dishes,
and craft the ambiance based on themes at each location.

The main store in Mita is a two-story independent restaurant
with potted plants and an impressive white exterior,
exuding a modern retro vibe.

The first floor features a kitchen counter,
while there are tables on the second floor,
and there are about eight seats on the first floor.

For lunch, they offer two main dishes:
the signature roll cabbage
and the other is hamburg steak.

Each dish comes with a choice of sauce:
the original demi-glace sauce from its founding,
along with white and tomato sauces.

The set includes a mini salad and vegetable potage,
along with rice or bread,
and there are also course options starting from appetizers.

This dish is packed with dedication,
and the roll cabbage in demi-glace sauce
is highly recommended and their most popular item.

The demi-glace sauce is a special creation,
crafted through repeated trials and determination,
a testament to their unwavering commitment.

Using a base of fond de veau,
they refine it to be rich,
sticking to their unique method.

The time from order to delivery is quick,
with a dark sauce poured over
a sizeable roll cabbage.

The cabbage is tender enough to be cut with chopsticks,
tenderly melting in your mouth,
while the patty inside has just the right firmness.

The sauce draped over the melting cabbage
is phenomenal;
this demi-glace sauce offers a depth of flavor
that cannot be described as merely rich.

It maintains umami while not being overly dense,
with strong acidity and bitterness expanding the taste,
leading to a long-lasting finish with a light sweetness.

The dandy flavor of the demi-glace
brings a sophisticated bitterness,
yet offers an aromatic essence.

Combined with the roll cabbage,
it creates a perfectly assembled dish,
a flawless combination.

This is a charm that cannot be found in other restaurants,
a masterpiece honed by Roven,
culminating in a refined experience.

The homestyle roll cabbage
is elevated to a French level,
making it deserving of a different culinary title.

It feels like a transformative experience,
led by the sophisticated demi-glace,
a must-try masterpiece of roll cabbage.