Lunch at the new Pierre Gagnaire Tokyo with Mme. Food File... The cuisine was outstanding, just as we expected it to be, intensely flavourful and intricate, and arranged exquisitely.
The setting is plush but a bit bland (it is in a hotel after all). The view over the Roppongi skyline holds little excitement by day — but evenings promise sunset views towards Mt.Fuji, the magic glitter of the city nightscape, plus Tokyo Tower in all its glory.
Service was smooth but still very tense. We enjoyed the handsome uniforms of the waiting staff (designed by Junko Koshino). But for the moment they're still finding their feet.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect is that you can eat there for as little ¥3,800 (plus plus). It's called the Express Gourmet, it's offered only on weekdays, and it consists of just amuse(s) and main plate (no choice). Pierre Gagnaire at those prices — incroyable!
Here are just a few elements from the three-course (plus numerous extras) ¥6,000 'Saison' lunch, starting with the colourful opening amuses...
The hors d'oeuvres comprised five separate small dishes (including a very powerful, restorative soup). The most visual was this: a crudité selection served with a dip of ground almond mixed with matcha...
The main course: pan-fried snapper topped with spring cabbage and maitake mushroom, with a lovely rich, lingering saffron sauce...
Before the double dessert course, this colourful four-part amuse arrived...
dessert #1 paired grapefruit 'marmalade' with caramel...
#2 was an intense matching of different chocolates...
And, even after those two intensely rich desserts, there was another dainty sweet to go with our closing coffee/tea !
Formidable!
