Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
130
A Note on Establishments with Japanese Signs
Many restaurants, hotels, and other establishments in Japan do not have signs
giving their names in Roman (English-language) letters. Those that don't are indi-
cated in this guide by an oval with a number that corresponds to a number in
chapter 14 showing the Japanese equivalent. Thus, to find the Japanese kanji, or
alphabet, for say,
Sushiko,
refer to no. 2 on p. 324.
L'Osier
FRENCH Chef Bruno Menard reigns at this elegant, modern restau-
rant decorated with an understated Art Deco motif. Serving only 40 lucky diners, Mr.
Menard and his staff of 40 are able to coddle, pamper, amaze, and seduce with excellent
service and superb cuisine that combines classic French cooking with modern ingredients
and methods of preparation. Set meals start with
amuse-bouche
(literally “mouth amus-
ers”) and end with
les petit fours
and
café
(small cakes and coffee); in between may be such
dishes as the French classic
foie gras de canard
(duck's liver), lobster, French sea bass with
braised fennel, or roast suckling lamb. An ample wine selection, a large variety of cheeses,
and a dessert trolley overflowing with some 30 temptations round out the meal. To join
the politicians and other movers and shakers who flock here, reserve well in advance.
Shiseido Building, 7-5-5 Ginza.
&
03/3571-6050.
www.shiseido.co.jp/losier. Reservations required.
Jacket required. Main dishes ¥7,200-¥12,000; set dinners ¥19,000-¥25,000; set lunches ¥6,800-¥11,000.
AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Sat noon-2pm and 6-9pm. Closed holidays. Subway: Ginza (2 min.). On Namiki Dori.
6
2
Sushiko
SUSHI If you're in pursuit of top-quality sushi, your search will
eventually bring you here, considered by some to be one of the best sushi bars in town.
There's no written menu, and the counter seats 11 customers only. Owned by a fourth-
generation restaurateur, this establishment doesn't display its fish, as most sushi bars do,
but keeps it freshly refrigerated until the moment it meets the swift blade of the expert
chefs. Unless you know your sushi, you're best off telling the chef how much you want
to spend and letting him take it from there.
There's a less expensive branch on the 35th floor of the Marunouchi Building, 2-4-1
Marunouchi (
&
03/3240-1908;
station: Tokyo), offering views along with an English
menu and set lunches, starting at ¥3,990, and set dinners that start at ¥7,350.
6-3-8 Ginza.
&
03/3571-1968.
Reservations required. Meals ¥15,000-¥20,000. AE, MC, V. Daily
11:30am-10:30pm. Station: Ginza or Hibiya (4 min.). A block east of the elevated tracks of the JR Yaman-
ote Line, on the Ginza side, on Sukiyabashi Dori.
EXPENSIVE
Kihachi
FUSION With a cool, crisp interior accented with Art Nouveau trim-
mings, this second-floor restaurant offers an interesting French-influenced menu that
combines flavors of the West with Japanese and Asian ingredients, creations of its French-
trained chef. Past choices on the English-language menu have included starters such as
pan-fried foie gras or half-baked egg wrapped in smoked salmon and topped with carrot
and crab; mains have included grilled sea bream with cumin and roasted vegetables, or
Japanese-flavored duck breast. The hardest part of dining here? Limiting yourself to one
meal—you just might have to come back. To spare your wallet, consider dining in the
first-floor cafe, which offers set lunches, beginning at ¥2,000, and dinner entrees ranging
from a fish of the day to grilled duck with yuza pepper and lemon.
