タケマシュラン
Located about a 10-minute walk from Ichigaya Station, behind the Kudanmachi Post Office, is "Chez Olivier," a French restaurant opened by a French owner chef in 2009 that has earned one Michelin star. The restaurant has around 30 seats, with crisp tablecloths, yet it creates a cozy and comfortable atmosphere that doesn't make guests feel tense. The clientele consists of sophisticated ladies who seem to know their French cuisine, and you may spot a few French guests, indicating that this is indeed a good restaurant. Chef Olivier Odos, born in Bordeaux, worked at famous restaurants in France before coming to Japan to teach at the renowned culinary school Le Cordon Bleu. The wine list is extensive, making it a bit challenging to choose, so we opted for wine pairing. A set of 3 glasses for 6,000 yen was served generously. The amuse-bouche was elaborate, freshly fried just before our arrival, showing their dedication to quality. Along with baguette and focaccia, there was a faint saltiness and a pleasant tomato acidity that made it more of a snack than just bread. For the appetizer, we chose cherry salmon, lightly cooked to enhance its sweetness, paired well with wine. Next to it was a chic dish of snow crab and watercress mustard, showcasing a modern French flair. The fish dish featured a blowfish, wrapped boldly in Kumani-Nikku, with a hint of chive-like flavor that stimulated the appetite. The blowfish itself was moist and satisfying, with the chorizo saltiness at the base adding a fantastic touch. The main course was pork, presented in an adorable way with a rose color and a delicious taste. The sauce, using lemon and ginger, gave it a hint of ginger pork flavor, making it a beautiful and approachable dish, like Masami Nagasawa. For dessert, we opted for a chocolate-themed selection, with a banana marmalade base filled with chocolate cream and ice cream. The tuile (crispy outer layer) had cumin, creating a sophisticated dessert. The tea sweets were also well-prepared, showing the attention to detail. We enjoyed a fulfilling time with herbal tea after the meal. The course meal costs 6,800 yen, wine pairing for 6,000 yen, and with service charges, the total bill was just under 15,000 yen per person. To enjoy genuine French cuisine at this quality for this price is a bargain. This restaurant offers authentic modern French cuisine that combines beauty and cuteness, making you feel that you don't necessarily need to go to France with the current situation to enjoy such high-quality dining. It's a mystery why a charming French restaurant like this, with easy reservations day and night, can coexist with the popular yet hard-to-book faux-French restaurants in Minato Ward. Understanding Tokyo's consumer behavior is indeed puzzling. Of course, discovering such restaurants is a hidden pleasure for French cuisine enthusiasts.