毛沢山
Gourmand means "food lover," but combined with the concept of gluten-free cuisine, it has become "Gourmand Plus." The restaurant's Instagram describes it as a "gluten-free restaurant, specializing in French paella, evoking the flavors of France, Italy, and Portugal." The chef, Takaya Ito, hails from Nagoya, where he started his culinary journey as a pastry chef at the Century Hyatt in 1996, then traveled to France in 1999 with just a suitcase. He ran "Gourmand" in Gokiso for ten years before opening "Gourmand Plus" in 2020 in Asama-cho and Joshin!
❖ Orders (Total: 8,800 yen)
1) Slightly Luxurious Lunch (Kochin chicken) 2,500 + 500
2) Slightly Luxurious Lunch (Lobster) 2,500 + 900
3) Small bottle of beer 750 yen x 2
4) Red sangria 900 yen
The restaurant is cozy, operated by a two-member team consisting of a server and a cook. It was nearly full when I visited, and after serving the dishes, they checked in on regular customers and others. The chef, who was quiet during cooking, turned out to be soft-spoken and approachable when conversed with! The rice cooking technique showed a beautiful texture, unlike Spanish paella, highlighting the chef’s skill. The meal was a course from appetizers to dessert, and it's not a place you line up to enter.
❖ Cutlery (forks & knives)
The restaurant uses Cutipol, a cutlery brand from a quiet town in Portugal, known for its quality. They even have "gold" cutlery which is not common in circulation; I considered purchasing it myself. Founded in the 1920s, Cutipol manufactures "18-10 stainless steel" cutlery. In my collection, I own brands like Bugatti, MEPRA, LUCKYWOOD, and WEDGWOOD. I’m a collector of cooking utensils, but currently on a break.
❖ Concept
Using French techniques, Gourmand Plus presents original paella made without chemical seasonings, emphasizing gluten-free results. They use a "Vermicular" pot rather than traditional paella pans, cooking with "Aichi rice," known for its chewy texture, with the moisture expertly evaporated. The restaurant caters to families with members who have wheat allergies, being mindful of other allergens like dairy, nuts, soba, sesame, and even fish. The French paella features Kochin chicken from the Kikkouen farm, raised in the highlands at 1,100m altitude, enhancing the texture. Inspired by a bouillon that the chef fell in love with during his training in France, the dish combines flavors with the efficiency of the Vermicular pot.
❖ Location
(Located closer to Nagoya Castle from Jushin and Asama-cho)
8 minutes from Jushin Station and 6 minutes from Asama-cho Station. While the space isn't large, they also host flamenco shows!
❖ Cookware
Cocotte Pot
1) Vermicular, made in Nagoya
2) Le Creuset, from France
3) Staub, from France
4) ZWILLING (under Le Creuset)
Since I own several pieces of Le Creuset, I won’t be purchasing other similar cast iron pots, as they are heavy, and I don’t want to risk damaging the floor.