LE MIDI

We just bump into this restaurant while walking the streets on a rainy day. We were at the shop about 10.45am and decided to ask if they had a table for 2. We were told we had to finish our meal by 12.45pm. We ordered an abalone salad, onion soup and a A4 sirloin steak for 2 to share and for desse...rt we were given free ice cream and chose the pudding instead. There were a group of 20 tourists who came at about 11.30am and I guess this restaurant has some arrangement with tour agencies. That’s the reason for the 1.5hrs seating arrangement and it can get quite noisy for a French bistro. Overall good food, service was acceptable, staff were friendly and there was English menu. On the whole, I think the chef likes to cook the meat medium. His definition of medium is not PINK but I guess with some redness in the meat (you may think it’s rare). My guess that’s how he wants his customers to try Hida beef. Give it a try and i must say he gives lots of veggies at the side.

Visited April 2025

We arrived at 6 pm with out reservations but said they would seat us if we could be finished eating by 7:30 pm , which gave us 90 minutes . No problem . They stated that they had reservations that would require our table . We ordered a charcuterie that was wonderful with very fresh local pears with ...figs , Burrata , meats and.bread . The French Onion soup took 15 minutes but was very good . Then before the charcuterie and the onion soup was finished or dishes cleared , came the Hida Beef course. It looked beautiful but came much too soon. We sent it back to the kitchen and asked to be served when we finished the soup course. Again they placed the meat course on us before we were finished ( this place is not cheap and rude to push customers to eat faster ) we relented and accepted the beautiful looking Hida Beef plate for two people, we ordered medium and the steak came rare , blood rare . It was so tough barely edible and the staff was not responding , they were running around preparing for 18 customers about to arrive. A very bad experience , one of the worst dinner experiences in Japan . We had to rush to finish our bottle of wine because the 18 people who reserved showed up early for their reservation and wanted us out before they complained . I would never recommend this restaurant for its very bad service and terrible undercooked meat . When the server came to the table with our check we pointed out the very rare beef and she just shrugged . So many other wonderful restaurants in Takayama but such a shame we wasted our money here .

Visited November 2024

The meal was truly delicious. The foie gras and the magret de canard was seriously better than most French restaurants (and I’m French!). It was a big surprise in this amazing little town. Dont miss it!

Visited November 2024

French styled restaurant in Takayama serving excellent Hida beef. We had a Fresh salad to start and the Hida sirloin steak. Amzing

Visited October 2024

Not sure how other have rated 5 stars. The decor was ordinary, loads of fish on the wall, and “vinyl” table cloth?!? I want A5 Hida steak in french style, hence was the main reason for my visit (after reading mix reviews of mainly 5*) . Honestly my steak was okay, not the French meal I expect...ed. I normally don’t enjoy giving negative reviews, but don’t want fellow travelers expecting something amazing either. My overall experience was definitely not a French restaurant. Unfortunately they accept family with young children. So my experience was poor having to listen to a child being very loud the entire meal. I left as quickly as I can. Don’t expect quite or romantic.

Visited February 2024