Hyperlocal Tokyo

【The Essence of French Cuisine at the Counter】 I've been a regular here for quite some time. It's located a bit away from the heart of Ginza's bustling district, giving it a hidden gem feel. The restaurant is intimate, with only eight seats at the counter. It's not often you find a place that offers authentic French cuisine with the opportunity to witness the chef's every move from the counter. The chef personally serves each freshly prepared dish over the counter, allowing you to experience an unparalleled aroma that only comes from freshly cooked food. It's something you wouldn't get at a table. The highlight is undoubtedly the vegetables. Chef Nakazawa's 'Garguillou' was simply divine. I never knew that warm vegetables could be so delicious! Or rather, that they could be made so delicious! The fish and meat dishes also feature an abundance of vegetables compared to your typical French cuisine, and they're all incredibly flavorful. Of course, the fish and meat are equally delicious, and the vegetables seem to enhance their flavors, making them even more delectable. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it a comfortable place to dine alone. It's a rare gem that offers both authentic, high-quality French cuisine and a cozy, intimate setting.

A small restaurant where you can enjoy classic French cuisine. The open kitchen allows you to watch the chef skillfully prepare the dishes. The sauces are quite rich, but they don't feel heavy, which is impressive. However, it seems like it's high in calories (^^;;). The prix fixe menu was reasonably priced considering the quality of the food.

The portions were generous, almost oversized. The food had a strong salty flavor, classic French style. It wasn't something I'd fall head over heels for, but it was gentle on the stomach. It certainly wasn't cute. It's not for those who prefer small, multi-course meals. While I didn't exclaim "delicious!" it was all tasty. However, the 'Garguille,' their specialty, wasn't as impressive as I'd hoped. Maybe that's just how it is. At the counter, you can see the chef cooking right in front of you, which is quite impactful. I found it exciting to watch the performance, but some might find the close proximity to the chef a bit uncomfortable. You can even see the packaging of the ingredients, and the entire process of preparing the next dish is laid bare, so there's no element of surprise. The overall orange theme of the interior was uplifting and made me feel excited. It felt like I'd stepped into another world. The service was provided by a single, gentle and extremely polite gentleman, and he was very pleasant. The counter seating area isn't very large, so it's not really a place for chatting or dates. It's more of a place to go with the mindset of seriously engaging with the food. I felt the chef's passion and seriousness, which made me sit up straight. Personally, I like the direction of the restaurant and the chef's philosophy, but it just wasn't my taste. Still, I respect it. I understand why it has a high rating on Tabelog. However, I can't help but feel it's slightly over-rated. Unrelated, but the chef's mini-mohawk (hard to see unless you look closely) was impressive and memorable.

I visited for lunch on a weekday. It's a French restaurant with a counter for six and an open kitchen. Since it's a counter, it's perfect for dining alone. On this day, including myself, all three groups were solo diners. However, reservations are essential. (Someone tried to walk in but was turned away.) I found the wine to be a bit pricey. Glasses start at ¥2,200, so it's not exactly the kind of place where you can casually have a few glasses. The food itself was delicious and satisfying, but for this price point, I would have liked to see some petit fours. The prix fixe lunch course, a glass of champagne, and a glass of red wine came to about ¥10,000.

We celebrated our anniversary here and it was truly wonderful. The service was incredibly attentive and the food was delicious. I highly recommend this place.