I recently came back from a trip to Spain where most of my meals consisted of various tapas dishes. Tapas describe any small dish that’s meant as an appetizer or a snack. If you eat enough of them they can make up a whole meal. Sharing different small dishes rather than focusing on finishing one main course leaves lots of room for conversation and socializing. Throw in a little vino or cerveza and a round of tapas turns into a mini-party.

I didn’t have to think too hard to come up with a spot in Fort Worth that embodied this spirit. Shinjuku Station with its Izakaya concept serves small portion Japanese dishes that are meant to be shared. Izakaya is the Japanese equivalent of a Spanish tapas bar.

The small dishes at Shinjuku inspire conversation because of their creativity and unique flavors. You’ll find yourself cajoling your friends into trying each dish so that they can join you on a flavor journey. And it is quite a journey – you won’t find standard Japanese fare here. But that’s no reason to shy away. The staff provide lots of advice, suggestions, and answers to questions. The dishes range from deceptively simple to layered and complex.

For starters the stir-fried edamame comes sprinkled with some sort of addictive blend of spices that makes two orders essential. The hand made pork gyoza also leaves you wanting more. But slow down. You have to pace yourself so that you can try as many menu items as possible.

Shinjuku’s hokkaido scallops and tuna tartare should win a prize on appearances alone. Luckily the flavors live up to their good looks. Thinly sliced fried lotus root makes a beautiful base for tuna tartare and a pinch of scallops. These were a favorite of the table.

If you’re not into raw seafood try the delicately fried tempura king crab. The light batter provides a nice added texture to the delicious crab. Pair this with the foil wrapped wild Japanese mushrooms. Don’t let the appearances dissuade you, there’s a wonderfully deep and complex flavor in the mushrooms and the delicate brown butter sauce.

The sake steamed black mussels in yuzu butter are a “must-order” item. Just make sure to order a side of steamed rice so none of the tasty broth the mussels swim in goes to waste. The mussels are perfectly prepared and the broth manages to be rich and light at the same time.

The “Japanese Pizza” or Okonomiyake delivers a Momofuku-esque creation that unexpectedly combines flavors and textures. The base of the “pizza” contains shredded cabbage and egg. The pork belly topping comes through distinctly and makes for a very rich bite. If that’s not enough the bonito flakes that top the dish seem to be “dancing” on the pizza when it’s served to you.

On another visit we added some sushi to the mix. I loved the presentation of the spicy tuna hand roll in a little wooden stand.

We also ordered a roll and the special of that evening, toro tuna. The sushi tastes unbelievably fresh and the flavors were spot on. The rolls mixed in quite nicely with the other cooked dishes because they were easy to share. The only slight disappointment was the toro which didn’t quite live up to our expectations.

Our meals paired nicely with Kirin Ichiban beer and Shinjuku-Ritas.

Shinjuku Station provides Fort Worth with a unique dining experience in an understatedly cool space. My meals at Shinjuku Station with friends have been a joyful journey of discovery as each dish presented us with a culinary surprise. Going with friends is the best way to sample all the dishes. However, Shinjuku Station also has an intimate vibe inside the restaurant and a fabulous patio that would make it a great date spot.

Shinjuku Station
711 West Magnolia Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 923-2695

You don’t have to travel far to get a taste of Japanese culture this weekend.

Saturday & Sunday October 23 & 24, 2010

Fall Festival in the Japanese Garden
Adults $5.00, Children $3.00
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
This annual festival brings traditional Japanese dance, music, and martial arts demonstrations, papermaking, and tea ceremonies to Fort Worth. Enjoy the beautiful space of the Japanese Gardens and the hints of fall foliage.

New York Roll at Tokyo Cafe

If the Japanese festival has inspired your appetite check out one of the many Japanese restaurants in Fort Worth. Some Eat This Fort Worth favorites are: Tokyo Cafe, Sushi Axiom, Hui Chan, Piranha Killer Sushi, Japanese Palace, Sushi Yoko, and Edohana. I haven’t made it to Fort Worth’s newest sushi spot yet, Blue Sushi Sake Grill, but I’ve heard good things.