SJUN
I happened to have the opportunity to come here, and recently I visited this place. This is Joel Robuchon's restaurant, and the prospect of enjoying authentic French cuisine here elevated my excitement. Ready to venture to Roppongi, I headed to Roppongi Hills, where this place is located. When you go to Roppongi Hills, you tend to forget, but you can get a beautiful view of Tokyo Tower. It looks as if Tokyo Tower is burning, creating a captivating sight. Many people capture Tokyo Tower in photos. With Tokyo Tower in my peripheral vision, I make my way to Joel Robuchon's.
Entering the restaurant, the exterior is glass-walled, allowing plenty of natural light, creating a stylish ambiance. Inside, on the left is the bakery, and on the right is the main dining area. While there are table seats, the primary setting is at the counter, with acrylic dividers for each pair. The kitchen is predominantly black, with the chefs also dressed in black. The kitchen features various eye-catching elements, and the items and movements of the staff give it an artistic feel. Particularly striking is a chunk of raw ham in front of each seat, making a strong impression amidst the black-themed kitchen. It's truly an atelier.
Here, I indulged in a course menu. The course includes appetizers, soup, two main dishes, and dessert, with choices for each. Here are my selections:
Appetizers:
1. Pork Rillettes
2. Snow Crab and Daikon Lamelle with Beurre Blanc flavor
Smooth chestnut velouté with celery and bacon aroma
Main Dishes:
1. Hokkaido Ray with Ume (plum) for acidity, accompanied by Bourgogne sauce
2. Iwate Free-range Chicken roasted to perfection, served with salad pastoral
Dessert:
Smooth Chocolate Ganache coated with bitter cookies, accompanied by cocoa sorbet
Starting with the Pork Rillettes, it has a slightly salty but flavorful taste, stimulating the appetite like a leadoff batter in baseball. The Snow Crab and Daikon Lamelle features crab sweetness sandwiched between thin daikon slices, with a pickled daikon and vinegar(?) combination that is refreshing and delicious. The smooth chestnut velouté is somewhat sweet, with diced chestnuts, balanced by the aroma of celery and bacon.
Hokkaido Ray, pan-fried, surprisingly lacks the typical ammonia odor, resulting in a light and tender texture. The Bourgogne sauce with Ume flavor complements the ray, creating a very delicious dish. The Iwate Free-range Chicken is also delightful, and the Guinea fowl has a taste quite similar to chicken, making it enjoyable. The bread is sourced from the adjacent bakery, La Boutique de Joel Robuchon, and the selections - especially the Petit Baguette Robuchon - are delicious with just the right saltiness and a delightful crust.
Moving on to dessert, the Chocolate Ganache and Cocoa Sorbet are also delightful. Paired with coffee, the balance is perfect, with moderate sweetness. The cocoa sorbet is particularly tempting and leaves a desire for more. Later, baked goods were served, and they were also delicious. The overall dining experience here is truly impressive.