梅木雄平
I had a last-minute appointment and needed to find a French restaurant that was easy to book. I chose one that seemed like it wouldn't be too rude no matter who my dining companion was. The evening budget on Tabelog was listed as "30,000 to 39,999 yen," so I thought that would be around the price range. I made the reservation with a light heart. Oh, how wrong I was. I realized the true cost when I was casually waiting at the neighboring Imperial Bar. The dinner course was 43,000 yen, plus a 15% service charge, making it about 50,000 yen without drinks. I only realized this when I was waiting at the bar next door. I attached the a la carte menu from the official website at the end of the review. I was shocked by the limited options and high prices on the a la carte menu. It made me realize how unfamiliar I was with fine dining. The specialty dish "Baked Pie with Black Truffles" was 26,000 yen per plate. I asked if they had a half portion available, and they did. Not many people are crazy about truffles, especially men. So, if you're not a big truffle fan, you don't have to force yourself to order it. Here's what I ordered:
Appetizer: White Asparagus
Fish: Alfonsino
Meat: None
Specialty: Baked Pie with Black Truffles (Half portion)
Dessert: Classic Chocolate Tart with Yuzu and Bonito Flakes Ice Cream
Drink: One glass & post-meal coffee
The dessert was the most memorable in terms of taste. It was my first time trying ice cream with bonito flakes, and the chocolate tart was delicious. Overall, I felt that all the dishes were good, but I couldn't shake off the high prices of each dish from my mind due to my commoner sensibilities. (The price of one plate of asparagus is similar to a decent Italian course meal...) As a side note, the amuse-bouche and petit fours were not charged separately, so I assume they were included in the service charge or absorbed into the high prices of the a la carte dishes. Lunch courses range from 8,000 to 14,000 yen, but looking at the menu, most of the main dishes come with additional charges, and with a 15% service charge, it could easily reach around 30,000 yen with a main dish, a drink, and the service charge. This restaurant may be more suitable for those who don't mind the cost. Personally, when I visit a restaurant, I prepare myself with the budget in mind and secretly hold a one-person "Gochi Battle" in my head. I usually don't deviate much from the expected budget, but this time, I was way off. My score for this visit is more about value for money than taste. Also, most of the customers around me were elderly (even the younger ones were in their 50s). Postscript: Within 5 minutes of posting this review, the dinner budget on Tabelog was changed to "50,000 to 59,999 yen." Did I dream seeing "30,000 to 39,999 yen"? It's so fast to check and update...