If you didn’t have a reason to go to Ichigaya before, you do now. Following the success of his restaurant Gracia in Hiroo and cake shop in Ginza, chef Jérôme Quilbeuf has opened yet another restaurant in Tokyo, this time alongside a speakeasy.
Opened in autumn 2022, Tinc Gana represents Quilbeuf’s most upscale venture to date. Boasting an omakase-style open-kitchen set against an olive-green dining counter, the restaurant offers an enticing tasting menu spotlighting modern Barcelona gastronomy. The dishes, replete with bright, elegant and full-bodied flavours, harmoniously blend locally-sourced ingredients with a touch of Spanish flair.
Tinc Gana's tasting menu is a tour-de-force of Spanish cuisine. Standouts include squid stuffed with black ink rice and Quilbeuf’s renowned Basque cheesecake, a culinary secret that remains closely guarded. The beverage list does not play second fiddle; an extensive wine selection and dramatic, expertly mixed cocktails further elevate the dining experience.
Yet, Quilbeuf's vision doesn't stop at Tinc Gana's doorstep. Next door, the culinary story continues with a thrilling twist. For a limited time, Quilbeuf's new bar Abajo is hosting a pop-up of the famed Barcelona speakeasy, Bobby’s Free.
Until July 10, Abajo will showcase a diverse range of inventive cocktails from Bobby's Free, including the Alta Luz and the creatively presented Bobby's Kiss. The Alta Luz is a refreshing summer cocktail, blending Bergamot liqueur, pepper syrup, dry vermouth and hibiscus tea.
Bobby's Kiss, in contrast, is a sensory delight. Crafted with Bobby's dry gin, Luxardo Maraschino, dark cacao liqueur, strawberry puree and orgeat, this cocktail invites guests to 'kiss' the chocolate-rimmed glass with each sip, enhancing the overall flavour experience. Both indulgences, alongside the entire cocktail selection, are reasonably priced at ¥2,420, with a modest cover charge of ¥1,100.
Amid a sea of eateries striving for uniqueness, Tinc Gana and the Abajo pop-up comfortably claim their spots among Tokyo's premier dining destinations. A visit here promises a culinary adventure that is both familiar and foreign, comforting and challenging, classic and innovative – an invitation to savour a gastronomic story crafted by Quilbeuf.
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