Hyperlocal Tokyo

My long-awaited visit to the grand maison!🌹 From the moment the elevator doors opened, I was transported to a world beyond the ordinary, captivated within three seconds of entering. The classic cuisine was incredibly rich, a continuous stream of delights.🌹 The cepes (also known as porcini mushrooms) enveloped me with their aroma, a feast for all five senses. They were thick and substantial, offering a satisfying bite. The sea bass en croute was a specialty of Paul Bocuse. The thin crust made it a well-balanced dish that disappeared quickly, even within a multi-course meal.✨ I chose from two sauces, opting for tomato and mayonnaise. The tomato balanced the mayonnaise, preventing it from feeling too heavy. The squab was a new texture and flavor experience for me. My honest reaction was, "This is even better than I imagined!" It had always been on the menu, but I never had the courage to order it. This time, it was part of the set course, so I finally tried it. It was truly delicious, a dish worthy of the word "refined." The fat was rich but not heavy, the texture was tender and juicy, yet it had a surprising punch of gamey flavor in a good way. I prefer heavier wines, so I chose a Cabernet. It paired perfectly with the squab's punch, a delicious combination of deep red Cabernet and the bird. The dessert was supposed to be fruit first, followed by caramel, but it was presented in reverse order. The first course was caramel, followed by the fruit (peach). Once I tasted the dishes, I understood why the chef chose this arrangement. The bitterness of the caramel contrasted beautifully with the sweetness of the white peach and cream.🍑 The elegant and sophisticated first course transitioned into a vibrant and charming second course, a visual delight as well.✨ My birthday was celebrated with a special touch. In the private room, the lights were dimmed, and a beautiful plate was brought out.🌹 The plate was so exquisite, with its beautiful design, that I wished I could take it home. It filled me with happiness. The final tea sweets were presented in a "treasure box" arrangement, a nod to the restaurant's name. The dazzling light show was a delightful surprise until the very end. The basement housed a stylish bar, which I hope to visit someday. This grand maison, a place I had long admired, exceeded my high expectations with its beauty, delicious food, and exceptional service. It was a dreamlike paradise.🕊️✨ Thank you so much🤍 I will definitely be back. 🍽️Menu🍽️ Menu Spécial Amuse-bouche "Taggiasca Olive Madeleines" "Whitebait and Kitaakari Vichyssoise Parfait" Entree "Botan Shrimp" Botan Shrimp Tartare, Fresh Tomato and Red Perilla Clear Extract Goat Milk Yogurt and Oscietra Caviar Entree "Soft-shelled Turtle" Aomori Prefecture Soft-shelled Turtle and Duck Foie Gras Artichoke Aspic, Coriander Aroma Entree "Cepes" Maranges Cepes Sauté, Bordelaise Sauce Herbed Biscuit Poisson "Sea Bass" Sea Bass en Croute (Choose from two sauces) Sauce Choron Sauce Beurre Blanc Citron Viande "Squab" Landes Squab Farci Raisin Kneidl, Liquorice-flavored Rich Jus Avant dessert "Caramel" Bitter Caramel Glass and Black Truffle Cappuccino Dessert "White Peach" White Peach Compote and Crème Danjou, Verbena Jelly and Granita Coffee → Kuriyama Coffee

My husband took me to this restaurant for my birthday. The Swiss star wine list pairing was an impressive selection. The juicy, almost grape-like flavor of the dessert wine was unforgettable. The service was impeccable, with professional staff, and the food was a classic, delicate, and refined course. We were also taken to the underground bar, which made the experience even more special. We were given a gift of chocolates and macarons, making it a truly satisfying day.

Established in 1974, Ginza Le Can has been a beloved, top-tier French restaurant in Ginza. ❤︎ True to its name, which means "jewel box" in French, the restaurant boasts a refined and luxurious atmosphere. I celebrated my 30th birthday here! After a celebratory champagne toast, we enjoyed a wine pairing. The restaurant's exceptional ability to suggest wines that perfectly complement the dishes was truly divine, a testament to its status as a top-tier French establishment. (For those who don't enjoy alcohol, non-alcoholic pairings are also available!) Every dish was delicate, beautiful, and absolutely delicious... I upgraded to the luxurious Joshu beef for the main course! They even surprised me with a birthday plate, making it the most wonderful birthday ever! ◼︎ What I ordered Amuse: Taggiasca olive madeleine Duck rillette and new onion mousse Entree: White asparagus Poisson: Spanish mackerel Viande: Joshu beef Desert: Chocolate ＊＊＊＊ Please follow me on Instagram ❤︎ Yoko Kawamura (@yoko_kawamura_)

This was my fourth visit to this restaurant, and my first in six years. I came here to celebrate a relative's anniversary. I recently became a fan of the chef at La Finaj (Takara-san), and this restaurant is where he started his career, so I decided to try it out. As expected of a long-established, authentic French restaurant, it was a truly special experience with its "cuisine," "hospitality," and "ambience." I was especially happy that my guests were satisfied, and I believe this is a truly representative French restaurant in Japan, perfect for a special occasion. ▪️ Cuisine & Taste We were a group of four, and we ordered the ¥10,000 course for four, with two upgraded to the meat main course for an additional ¥2,000 each. We also had champagne and wine pairing for ¥7,800 per person, two bottles of sparkling mineral water for ¥1,500, and a 10% service charge of ¥8,070, bringing the total to ¥88,770 (¥22,193 per person). Even for lunch, I think it's incredibly reasonable to be able to experience authentic cuisine, service, and this atmosphere at a grand maison for just over ¥20,000. "Amuse-bouche" * Tajaska olive (black olive) madeleine A bite-sized treat with a fragrant buttery aroma * Squid and fennel, fruit tomato smoothie The sweetness of the fruit tomato and its subtle acidity combined with the squid's texture was absolutely delicious "Appetizer" White asparagus themed * Pavlova, mimicking mimosa with grapefruit and mimolette The white asparagus mousse was exquisite. The combination with scallops was also excellent * Steamed white asparagus, hollandaise sauce The tangy sauce complemented the white asparagus's unique, soft texture "Main Course" * Fish: Roasted Spanish mackerel, rapeseed and clam velouté, Iberico ham condiment The Spanish mackerel was perfectly cooked, and the salty Iberico ham added a nice accent. This was also phenomenal * Meat: Upper State beef fillet aiguillette, herb chicken ballotine The beef was thinly sliced, highlighting the contrast between the raw and cooked textures. The crispy potatoes and onions added a perfect touch of crunch. This was not just a simple beef roast, which was fantastic. The chicken was a bit moist, and the delicate sauce went well with the chicken's texture. "Dessert" * Tonka bean scented coulant chocolate, griotte blackcurrant sorbet The rich and elegant chocolate paired perfectly with the equally rich blackcurrant's acidity, a classic combination. The final tea sweets were presented in a beautiful box resembling a treasure chest (lecan), allowing guests to choose freely. Macarons, jelly, galettes, chocolate, and other diverse tea sweets were arranged like jewels, both beautiful and delicious. The final coffee was also full-bodied, with the coffee bean flavor extracted perfectly. The champagne and paired wines were carefully selected by the restaurant to complement each dish, offering a unique French culinary experience. If you enjoy alcohol, you should definitely order this set. It's worth more than its price. ▪️ Service & Ambience The traditional Art Nouveau setting in the basement three floors down sets the mood, and the journey to the dining hall on the second basement floor adds to the excitement. The thoughtful touches and special arrangements for anniversaries are befitting of a grand maison, making you feel like you made the right choice. The explanations were thorough, and the timing of the wine and mineral water service was impeccable, as expected of a high-end establishment. Located in the Mikimoto Building on Ginza's central street, this restaurant is perfect for a special occasion.

Ginza Le Canard, a French restaurant located in Ginza, is a Michelin-starred establishment (2024). It has also received a 15.5 rating in the Gault & Millau guide (2023), and has been recognized as a Bronze restaurant and a Top 100 restaurant on Tabelog (2023). Established in 1974, the restaurant is now run by the eighth generation of chefs, who have honed their skills at renowned establishments like La Maison Troisgros and Restaurant Feu. The restaurant is known for its impressive wine collection. While the dining space is not particularly large, it exudes sophistication. The waiting bar on the second basement level retains the ambiance of the restaurant's early days. The cuisine is a masterful blend of traditional French techniques and modern interpretations, befitting a grand restaurant. The 'Efiloche of King Crab with New Onion Mousse, Galette, and Oscietra Caviar' is a dish that showcases the French flair for theatrics, with a live king crab presented before the meal. This unique presentation highlights the rarity and value of the fresh ingredients, building anticipation for the culinary experience. The food itself was, needless to say, exceptional. From the cellar, we enjoyed a remarkable selection of wines, including a 1990 Petrus and a 2006 Clos de Lambray Grand Cru, perfectly paired with the dishes. Rating: 4.5 stars