The posh shopping district of Ginza beckons the high roller with its glittering array of high-end retail outlets. Within this luxury-laden neighbourhood, indulgence takes on many forms, not least of which is the delightful gastronomic journey offered by Dominique Bouchet Tokyo.
The one-Michelin-starred restaurant is currently headed by the promising talent of rising star chef Atsuhito Oku, who brings Bouchet’s culinary vision to life in the day-to-day operations. Oku masterfully incorporates locally-sourced Japanese ingredients into the dishes, resulting in a distinctive interpretation of French cuisine that is both authentic and innovative. Despite the Asian influences, the menu remains rooted in its French heart, a testament to the depth of culinary mastery passed on by Bouchet to Oku.
The interior design of the restaurant is a testament to this concept of heritage, taking inspiration from an apartment in Paris - a common living space for many French people. Its design exhibits a harmonious balance of natural wooden textures and beautiful colour tones with the modern, dignified ambience of marble. Meanwhile, partitions in a warm grey hue maintain a sense of privacy for diners, further enhancing the intimate dining experience.
The restaurant offers two seven-course lunch menus, priced at ¥11,000 and ¥15,000. These carefully curated menus promise a unique mid-day culinary excursion. For the evening, there are three dinner courses to choose from, priced at ¥18,000, ¥20,000 and ¥25,000. Every course represents a gastronomic adventure, with dishes like roasted monkfish with cauliflower and butter noisette sauce, or blue lobster Parmentier with caviar butter. Dominique Bouchet's menu not only includes ingredients from his homeland, the Charentes region in France, but also 'reprint menus' inspired by his culinary creations from his tenure at establishments such as Joel Robuchon’s Tour d'Argent and Hotel de Crillon.
From its diverse selection of French wines, including notable choices from Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its in-house blended coffees and teas accompanying the final petit fours, Dominique Bouchet Tokyo exemplifies French culinary artistry in Tokyo. After a day in Ginza, this Michelin-starred restaurant is the perfect location to unwind and experience a gastronomic journey deeply rooted in French tradition.