E3 - The Perfect Taste
Source: Crunchyroll
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
[00:04] Miwa
Find a different candidate?
Did he really say something like that?
[00:08] Yukari
Yes.
[00:09] Miwa
The manager did?
[00:11] Yukari
He did!
[00:12] Yukari
I overheard him in the lounge talking
to chief bartender Nishizawa about it!
[00:17] (Flashback) Nishizawa
A new candidate? Do you mean as insurance?
[00:22] (Flashback) Kamishima
Yeah.
[00:23] (Flashback) Kamishima
The chairman has his
sights set on Sasakura Ryu,
[00:26] (Flashback) Kamishima
but if that guy doesn't give us the nod,
then we're dead in the water.
[00:29] (Flashback) Nishizawa
The chairman must be so
fixated on the counter bar
[00:33] (Flashback) Nishizawa
because he wants to compete against
Bar K at the Hotel Diamondstar.
[00:39] (Flashback) Nishizawa
It's a top-class bar that caters
to heavyweights in the financial world.
[00:43] (Flashback) Nishizawa
And it earned that reputation...
[00:45] (Flashback) Nishizawa
thanks to the presence of its
bartender, Kuzuhara Ryuichi.
[00:50] (Flashback) Nishizawa
People call him Mister Perfect.
[00:52] (Flashback) Nishizawa
I don't know of anybody else
who is even near his level.
[00:56] (Flashback) Kamishima
Which leaves us right back where we started.
[00:59] (Flashback) Kamishima
We've got to find someone
whose name we can put in lights.
[01:04] Yukari
But searching for
someone else at this point?
[01:07] Yukari
Senpai?
[01:08] Miwa
Sorry, Yukari-chan! You can
tell me all about it tomorrow.
[01:11] Yukari
Huh? Hold on!
[01:14] Yukari
That's odd. Senpai always
seems married to her work.
[01:19] Yukari
Is she going on a date?!
SIGN Glass of God
SIGN m 0 0 l 100 0 100 60 0 60
SIGN Bar K Bartender
SIGN Kuzuhara Ryuichi
SIGN Award Presentation Party
SIGN Hotel Diamondstar
SIGN Star Hall
[02:54] Miwa
I've never heard of a bartender
receiving a medal before.
[02:58] Miwa
Kuzuhara-san must be really amazing.
[03:01] Taizo
He's considered to be a pioneer
[03:03] Taizo
who raised the status of Japanese
bartenders to a world-class level.
[03:08] Taizo
Even customers are awestruck
by his perfect technique.
[03:12] Taizo
That is why they call him Mister Perfect.
[03:18] Taizo
Hey. Congrats.
[03:20] Kuzuhara
Now this is a pleasant surprise,
Chairman Kurushima!
[03:24] Kuzuhara
It is quite an honor to welcome
[03:26] Kuzuhara
the man who only drank cocktails
from the late owner of Lapin.
[03:29] Kuzuhara
Please, allow me to make you something.
[03:31] Taizo
Recently, I've been very impressed
with the bartender at Edenhall.
[03:38] Taizo
He hasn't been in the position long,
but he's a fairly interesting fellow.
[03:43] Kuzuhara
He's the new bartender there?
[03:46] Taizo
He's still a bit wet
behind the ears, though.
SIGN Ginza Shopping Center
SIGN Ginza M's Building
[03:53] Ryu
Welcome.
[03:55] Ryu
Oh.
[03:56] Ryu
I see you're together today.
[03:58] Taizo
Actually, this is my lover.
[04:02] Ryu
In general, I don't care to inquire
about customers' personal relationships,
[04:07] Ryu
but I suspect that while you two are close,
she's actually your granddaughter.
[04:13] Taizo
I guess he now knows that
I used to change your diapers.
[04:15] Miwa
Hey!
[04:18] Ryu
May I take your order?
[04:20] Taizo
How about something
that's good for a stiff neck?
[04:22] Miwa
Me too.
[04:23] Ryu
Hmm.
[04:24] Taizo
We had to stop by a pretty uptight party.
[04:28] Miwa
It was a little exhausting.
[04:30] Ryu
I see. Very well, then.
[04:34] Ryu
Welcome.
[04:39] Kyoko
Um, am I still all right?
[04:43] Ryu
If you're referring to closing time,
you don't need to worry.
[04:45] Kyoko
Thank you. Then...
[04:48] Kyoko
I'd like a B&B, please.
[04:54] Kyoko
A B&B
[04:56] Kyoko
is a cocktail you make by just mixing equal
amounts of brandy and Bénédictine, right?
[05:01] Ryu
Yes. Its name comes from the
first letter of each word. B&B.
[05:06] Kyoko
What's the best way to drink it?
[05:08] Ryu
As a nightcap.
[05:10] Ryu
It's said to be best enjoyed
just before bed.
[05:15] Ryu
It combines the rich flavor of brandy
with the unique sweetness of Bénédictine.
[05:21] Ryu
It is quickly intoxicating,
which may help the drinker fall asleep,
[05:26] Ryu
I suppose.
[05:28] Ryu
Your B&B. Enjoy.
[05:41] Kyoko
Bartender, have you been
in this line of work long?
[05:45] Ryu
Almost eight years.
[05:46] Kyoko
Eight years?
[05:50] Miwa
What's that lady doing?
[05:53] Taizo
You still can't read people well, can you?
[05:56] Miwa
Huh?
[05:58] Kyoko
Thank you.
[06:01] Kyoko
I finally worked up the courage
to quit my job today.
[06:07] Kyoko
Thank you for allowing me to stay so late.
[06:14] Miwa
Was she crying?
[06:16] Ryu
I wonder what happened.
Why would she want to quit bartending?
[06:21] Miwa
Is she a bartender?
[06:23] Ryu
A normal customer wouldn't have asked
about the bar hours when she came in
[06:29] Ryu
or stared at the way I swirled
the bar spoon so aggressively.
[06:34] Miwa
You sure notice a lot, don't you?
[06:36] Taizo
I'm more certain than ever that you
would be a valuable asset to our bar.
[06:41] Ryu
I believe I already declined that offer.
[06:44] Ryu
I'm simply too afraid of heights.
[06:48] (Flashback) Yukari
The bar at the Latz Hotel
is on the top floor!
[06:53] Miwa
Sasakura-san, about that fear of heights...
[07:01] Ryu
Welcome.
[07:03] Kuzuhara
Are you still open?
[07:04] Ryu
Of course. Please come in.
[07:10] Taizo
I thought you'd show up.
[07:15] Miwa
Why...?
[07:16] Ryu
An acquaintance of yours?
[07:18] Taizo
Let's say we were acquainted through
a certain business transaction.
[07:21] Ryu
Is that so.
[07:24] Ryu
Your order, sir?
[07:26] Kuzuhara
I'll take a Gin Fizz.
[07:29] Ryu
Very well.
[07:40] Kuzuhara
The Gin Fizz is a famous cocktail.
Do you happen to know who invented it?
[07:46] Ryu
In 1888, in New Orleans,
[07:50] Ryu
at the Imperial Cabinet Saloon, a bartender
named Ramos was credited with inventing it.
[07:55] Kuzuhara
What about the "fizz" part?
[07:57] Ryu
It supposedly comes from the sound
of the bubbles in soda water,
[08:03] Ryu
but it certainly doesn't
sound like "fizz fizz" to me.
[08:06] Taizo
Is that something you tell
someone like Mister Perfect?
[08:10] Miwa
That's right.
[08:12] Miwa
He trained in France, so he doesn't
know anything about Kuzuhara-san.
[08:17] Ryu
Here. One Gin Fizz.
[08:27] Kuzuhara
This flavor...
[08:29] Ryu
Do you not find it to your liking?
[08:31] Kuzuhara
No, it's good. However,
[08:34] Kuzuhara
what is this slightly rich flavor?
[08:37] Kuzuhara
Like an old, aged rum.
[08:40] Kuzuhara
Is this your own recipe?
[08:42] Ryu
Yes. I suspected that the standard
recipe might be somewhat boring
[08:48] Ryu
for someone who's a professional and,
I expect, a first-rate bartender.
[08:52] Kuzuhara
How did you know that I'm a bartender?
[08:56] Ryu
There are two reasons.
[08:58] Ryu
When a pro visits a new bar, what would
he order to test the bartender's abilities?
[09:04] Ryu
A Gin Fizz.
[09:06] Miwa
Is that true?
[09:07] Taizo
'Cause of this.
SIGN Eternity
[09:13] Miwa
Eternity?
[09:14] Taizo
Yeah.
[09:16] Taizo
The character for "eternity"
has vertical, horizontal,
[09:18] Taizo
point, jump, stop, and sweep strokes.
[09:21] Taizo
All of the basic strokes
in Japanese calligraphy.
[09:24] Taizo
In the same way, from the shaking,
to the ratio of alcohol and juice,
[09:29] Taizo
to the ice and the soda,
[09:31] Taizo
the one drink that includes
all the essential bartending techniques
[09:35] Taizo
is the Gin Fizz.
[09:38] Kuzuhara
So what was the other reason?
[09:40] Ryu
The pinky finger on your right hand.
[09:43] Ryu
It appears to be a callus developed
from many years of shaking.
[09:48] Kuzuhara
And you observed all that in
such a short amount of time.
[09:52] Ryu
If you're always evaluating and criticizing,
and you only drink for work,
[09:58] Ryu
then I want you to enjoy your experience
as a customer on the other side of the bar.
[10:05] Kuzuhara
Enjoy?
[10:07] Kuzuhara
You think I'm enjoying
this little guessing game?
[10:11] Ryu
If that was presumptuous of me, I apologize.
[10:15] Kuzuhara
And that's why you put rum in the Gin Fizz?
[10:17] Ryu
Oh, no. That's wasanbon sugar.
[10:21] Kuzuhara
What?
[10:22] Taizo
Oh.
[10:23] Miwa
Wasanbon? The sugar used
in Japanese confections?
[10:26] Ryu
Yes. Wasanbon is known for
its very delicate sweetness.
[10:30] Taizo
And the flavor is similar to rum,
so he got them mixed up.
[10:35] Taizo
You managed to put one
over on Mister Perfect!
[10:39] Kuzuhara
I see.
[10:41] Kuzuhara
You certainly are an amusing
bartender. However...
[10:47] Kuzuhara
I've known countless failed bartenders who
once tried to impress with eccentric drinks.
[10:56] Kuzuhara
If you intend to keep working as a bartender,
allow me to enlighten you on something.
[11:02] Kuzuhara
Your cocktail is still far from perfect.
[11:12] Miwa
I guess that upset him.
[11:14] Taizo
He isn't someone to take offense
over something so trivial.
[11:18] Taizo
But more importantly, would you make me
one of those Gin Fizzes with wasanbon sugar?
[11:23] Miwa
Oh! Me too!
[11:24] Ryu
Yes.
[11:26] Ryu
Certainly.
SIGN Glass of God
[11:33] Yukari
How was your date yesterday?
[11:35] Miwa
Date? I went out with my grandfather.
[11:38] Yukari
Huh?
[11:40] Yukari
You must get along really well
with your grandpa, then.
[11:43] Miwa
He's more like a father to me.
[11:46] Miwa
Both of my parents passed away
when I was little.
[11:49] Yukari
O-Oh, really? I'm so sorry.
[11:52] Miwa
It's okay.
[11:54] Kamishima
Less talk, more work!
[11:57] Yukari
All right.
SIGN m 0 0 l 100 0 100 130 0 130
SIGN Kuzuhara Ryuichi, Recipient of
the Yellow Ribbon Medal of Honor
SIGN Kuzuhara Ryuichi, bartender at Hotel
Diamondstar, has been announced as
the recipient of the spring Medal. An
award reception honoring Kuzuhara with
the Yellow Ribbon Medal was held at his
own hotel.
SIGN The Yellow Ribbon Medal honors
individuals in farming, business, and
industry who have shown diligence in
their professional activities and proven
themselves as role models to the public.
SIGN It is very rare for members of the food
service industry to be awarded. As such,
this medal recognizes Kuzuhara's vast
contributions to culture through his
exceedingly high skills as a bartender.
[12:00] (Flashback) Kuzuhara
Your cocktail is still far from perfect.
[12:05] Miwa
That was a really harsh thing
to say to Sasakura-san.
[12:08] Miwa
I wonder if he's okay.
[12:10] Yukari
So, Senpai.
[12:12] Yukari
Boyfriend. You don't have one?
[12:15] Kamishima
Higuchi!
[12:16] Yukari
Fine!
[12:26] Ryu
Is that...?
SIGN Palm
Reader
[12:29] Fortune Teller
You don't seem very confident
in your present job.
[12:32] Kyoko
So, do you think I should quit, too?
[12:44] Ryu
I'm glad you haven't quit bartending yet.
[12:47] Kyoko
Oh, you're that guy from before.
[12:53] Kyoko
Actually, that day...
[12:56] Kyoko
was the first time I'd made
a B&B for a customer.
SIGN Minami
[13:01] (Flashback) Kyoko
Here you are. A B&B.
[13:03] (Flashback) Itami
Oh. Let's see.
[13:08] (Flashback) Itami
Hmm.
[13:10] (Flashback) Itami
Not quite there yet.
[13:12] (Flashback) Minami
You still don't understand how to stir.
[13:17] Kyoko
That's what a regular
and the owner told me.
[13:21] Kyoko
To stir quickly so the ice doesn't melt
but the drink still blends evenly...
[13:27] Kyoko
I kept practicing that over and over,
until even my blisters split open.
[13:31] Kyoko
And it's still no good.
[13:33] Kyoko
What else am I supposed to do to get better?
[13:38] Ryu
What is it that bartenders are actually
stirring when they're mixing a drink?
[13:43] Ryu
Do you know?
[13:44] Kyoko
Huh?
[13:45] Ryu
Their imagination of what
the drink should become.
[13:48] Ryu
How will the drink move in the glass?
[13:51] Ryu
How will it have changed when
it touches the customer's lips?
[13:57] Ryu
Stirring brandy and Bénédictine
together in a way
[14:01] Ryu
that makes them reach the customer's
mouth in the ideal condition...
[14:04] Kyoko
...requires imagination, I guess.
[14:07] Ryu
A B&B appears simple,
but that's where it catches people.
[14:12] Ryu
It's a mistake that probably every
bartender in the world makes once.
[14:16] Ryu
But the important thing is what comes after.
[14:20] Kyoko
What comes after?
[14:22] Ryu
If this is enough to make you run away,
[14:25] Ryu
you probably shouldn't try to become
a bartender in the first place.
[14:30] Kyoko
How dare you!
[14:31] Kyoko
Why do I have to take that from you?
[14:35] Ryu
If you're that frustrated, then put
that energy into making a better cocktail.
[14:40] Kyoko
I'm the bartender at Bar Minami.
[14:43] Kyoko
Kawakami Kyoko.
[14:45] Kyoko
Feel free to grace us
with your presence any time.
[14:53] Ryu
Good luck.
[15:04] Ryu
Huh? Right now?
[15:06] Ryu
Well, I doubt we'll get
many customers in this rain.
[15:10] Ryu
As long as the owner says it's all right.
[15:21] Door man
Welcome.
[15:27] Chen
Welcome.
[15:30] Taizo
Hey! Sorry for the short notice.
[15:33] Ryu
Not at all.
[15:34] Ryu
So, you and the owner... Maki-san...
were already acquainted, weren't you?
[15:38] Taizo
Well, yeah.
[15:39] Taizo
But today, I have a somewhat
unreasonable request to make.
[15:43] Kuzuhara
What might that be?
[15:44] Taizo
Actually, I'd like you and him
to make the same cocktail.
[15:49] Ryu
Huh?
[15:50] Chen
Sir, we don't engage
in that sort of thing here.
[15:53] Kuzuhara
Chen.
[15:54] Kuzuhara
Close the bar.
[15:58] Miwa
What is it this time, Grandpa?
[16:00] Miwa
You made me race over here just
to show me something "interesting"?
[16:03] Taizo
These two are going to make the same thing.
What do you want to drink?
[16:09] Miwa
What? But why?
[16:12] Miwa
Make the same cocktail?
At least give me a minute to think.
[16:19] Miwa
Red...
[16:21] Miwa
How about a Manhattan or something?
[16:23] Taizo
Ooh. If the king of cocktails is the Martini,
then the Manhattan is queen.
[16:29] Taizo
Okay. That's what we'll have.
[16:31] Kuzuhara
May I make one request?
[16:34] Kuzuhara
If my Manhattan is more delicious,
[16:38] Kuzuhara
I would like you to drink
one of my cocktails, Chairman.
[16:42] Taizo
Why would a bartender of your status
care about something like that?
[16:46] Kuzuhara
Perhaps you could say it
is my pride as a bartender.
[16:50] Taizo
Very well.
[16:51] Taizo
But if you happen to lose?
[16:55] Kuzuhara
Then I'll take off my jacket and
retire from bartending here and now.
[17:00] Kuzuhara
Well then, shall we begin?
[17:05] Kuzuhara
What do you think is the most
important thing in a cocktail?
[17:09] Ryu
Balance, perhaps?
[17:10] Kuzuhara
Yes.
[17:12] Kuzuhara
But that cannot be merely about addition.
[17:14] Kuzuhara
It must become a question of multiplication.
[17:18] Kuzuhara
The back of the spoon touches
the inside of the mixing glass
[17:22] Kuzuhara
and turns in the same direction as the ice.
[17:26] Kuzuhara
If you stir too much, the ice
melts and the drink weakens.
[17:30] Kuzuhara
If you don't stir enough, the drink
will not taste complete.
[17:36] Taizo
Miwa.
[17:37] Taizo
Please close your eyes.
[17:40] Miwa
Mm-hmm.
[17:44] Taizo
All right.
[17:49] Miwa
What is this?
[17:50] Taizo
It would be boring if you already
knew who made which one.
[17:56] Miwa
Other than the different glasses,
they look identical.
[18:01] Miwa
Okay. I'll try them.
[18:04] Miwa
This one first.
[18:08] Miwa
Delicious! Even with a whisky base,
the flavor is light and refreshing!
[18:15] Miwa
Now this one.
[18:20] Miwa
I think I like this one more!
The flavor is well-rounded and delicious.
[18:25] Taizo
That one is Sasakura-kun's Manhattan.
[18:29] Miwa
Oh, is it? But... why do they taste different?
[18:34] Ryu
It's the human tongue.
[18:36] Ryu
It registers temperatures that are 25 to 30
degrees lower or higher than body temperature
[18:40] Ryu
as having a more delicious flavor.
[18:42] Ryu
I suspect that the drink I made was just a
little... perhaps one to two degrees warmer.
[18:49] (Flashback) Miwa
What is it this time, Grandpa?
[18:52] Ryu
You rushed over here to meet
your grandfather so quickly,
[18:55] Ryu
your body temperature rose,
and you broke a sweat.
[18:59] Ryu
And so...
[19:01] Ryu
I was careful not to make
the drink too cold for you.
[19:04] Miwa
You put that much thought into one drink...
[19:07] Kuzuhara
In a way, such inexperience can be
[19:10] Kuzuhara
quite a heartwarming thing to witness.
[19:15] Kuzuhara
A cocktail is a luxury item, so of course
personal preference comes into consideration.
[19:19] Kuzuhara
But the question here is, as a cocktail,
is this fit to be called a Manhattan or not?
[19:25] Miwa
Sasakura-san made a proper,
delicious Manhattan!
[19:28] Kuzuhara
Perhaps I could ask you to take another sip.
[19:42] Miwa
The flavor has changed.
[19:45] Ryu
If you don't mind.
[19:53] Ryu
Oh my gosh.
[19:54] Kuzuhara
Do you understand now?
That is the perfect flavor.
[19:59] Kuzuhara
If you start trying to please customers
rather than craft the perfect cocktail,
[20:04] Kuzuhara
it will be the beginning
of your decline as a bartender.
[20:07] Kuzuhara
A bartender must aspire to create
cocktails with such perfect flavor
[20:11] Kuzuhara
that they bring customers to their knees.
[20:14] Kuzuhara
If you realize now how green
you are, you may leave.
[20:21] Miwa
Sasakura-san! Wait!
[20:25] Taizo
It sure is nice being young.
[20:28] Kuzuhara
Lacking experience now means
[20:30] Kuzuhara
that you still have the potential
to gain much more.
[20:34] Kuzuhara
Are you going to put him
in charge of your counter bar?
[20:36] Taizo
Who knows? We'll see.
[20:39] Kuzuhara
Well, then. As you promised,
Chairman, what shall it be?
[20:45] Taizo
Let's see...
[20:48] Miwa
Hey. Wait up a minute!
[20:50] Miwa
You lost today, but you won
the last time, right?
[20:54] Miwa
Also, yours really did taste
better at the beginning.
[20:58] Miwa
I'm sure you'll make a better one next time!
[21:01] Ryu
An amateur like you wouldn't understand!
[21:04] Miwa
How could you... I'm just worried about you!
SIGN Ogura
[21:14] Ryu
There's more to his cocktails
than simple mixing.
[21:17] Ryu
He's transforming the ingredients into
a completely different beverage. A Manhattan.
[21:22] Ryu
That's why the flavor doesn't change,
even after a while.
[21:26] Ryu
"Mister Perfect," huh.
[21:30] Ryu
I absolutely lost to him today.
[21:32] Miwa
I don't really think so.
[21:36] Miwa
With experience and effort, you can
improve your skills as a bartender, right?
[21:41] Miwa
But the desire to please customers
isn't something you can get so easily.
[21:48] Miwa
You made that one drink just for me.
[21:52] Miwa
In that sense, I don't think
you lost to Kuzuhara-san at all.
[21:57] Miwa
Right?
[22:00] Ryu
Thanks.
[22:01] Ryu
You know, you're a pretty nice girl after all.
[22:06] Miwa
Don't look at me like that
when you compliment me!
[22:10] Ryu
Hey!
[22:10] Miwa
You're making me blush!
SIGN Ogura
[22:13] Ryu
After I finally dried off?!
SIGN Episode 4
SIGN A Bar's Hidden Flavor
SIGN The Face of a Martini