PRESQU'ILE Yodoyabashi

Normally I would never look for a French restaurant in Japan but I have to thank my Japanese friend to convince me to go and hence prove me wrong. I have visited three Michelin stars restaurant with classic French cuisine in France before, the food in this one was better. But first of all, the welco...me was very warm despite me being underdressed since I was on holidays. The menu cointained many French classics like asparagus, scallops, caviar, foie gras and these were all cooked with the refined and pure tastes one expects from great Japanese chefs but in a classic French way. Some Japanese influences raised the bar even more like wagyu (with truffle) and passion fruit instead of oranges with the crêpes flambées (made alongside the table in the classical French way). The mignardises came in a pyramid box that revealed layer after layer of delicacies looking so nice I could not resist ordering one of each… The (French) winepairing was also perfect with even a delicate ratafia served with the cheese cart… I was also pleasantly surprised by the ability of the waiters to explain the dishes in French. And though Presquile can certainly not be seen as a cheap restaurant, the price of the whole menu with wines was certainly a lot lower than what I would have to pay in Europe for the same quality. So congratulations to chef Sasaki and his staff, I am sure they have a great future ahead of them.

Visited June 2018