One night of fine food

If you’re seeking a lavish beginning to your evening then China Blue on the 28th floor of the Conrad Tokyo hotel won’t disappoint. Chef Albert Tse made his fame in Hong Kong and Singapore before moving to Japan and commandeering the Conrad’s cloud-bothering restaurant in 2005. Despite the name, the food at China Blue is actually a happy fusion inspired by Tse’s Asian travels.

Each dish is impeccably presented and arrives begging to be Instagrammed before being dug into. If you can tear your eyes away from your plate, the stunning views over the harbour, including the twinkling Rainbow and Tokyo Gate bridges in the distance, are worth capturing.

The ‘Couples Course’ is actually seven – a tasting menu which features chef Tse’s signature dish, barbecue spare ribs with sweet and sour sauce, as its centrepiece. This isn’t your average finger food, as the sticky ribs are adorned with fresh strawberries, wasabi leaves and myoga (Japanese ginger). Artfully presented, it could be mistaken for your dessert.

Arriving at the gates of Echikatsu, found just a short walk from Yushima Station, is like going back to another time. Established in 1871 and now run by the sixth generation of the same family, the tradition and authenticity of this restaurant have been perfectly preserved. Although rebuilt and restored several times over the years, its building remains a symbol of Japanese beauty and simplicity, and looks – we imagine – just like the original, making it worth a visit in itself.

Walking the stone pathway through an impeccable Japanese garden to the main entrance, you already know you’re in for something special. Made up of individual tatami-mat rooms that cater to anywhere from two to 80 diners, the restaurant’s structure means you’ll always be eating in privacy and made to feel like you’re the only guest there. Every room looks out onto the beautiful gardens – if you’re lucky, you’ll get a view of the pond and its colourful carp swimming around peacefully. The tranquillity of the setting will have you in disbelief of the fact you’re still right in the middle of bustling Tokyo.

Sukiyaki is Echikatsu’s main culinary attraction, and supposedly tastes just like it did when the restaurant was first founded. Supermodel-thin slices of A5-grade Matsusaka wagyu are cooked in a shallow iron pot at your table, along with tofu, leek, mushrooms and harusame (glass noodles).

Fish Bank wastes no time in taking your breath away. The restaurant’s dedicated lift in the Shiodome City Center building rises to the 41st floor so quickly you fear emerging with the bends, and the interior continues on a mission to make you hyperventilate. The floor to ceiling windows present all of Tokyo to you in miniature while the high ceilings, elaborate crystal chandeliers and a glass-fronted wine room housing over 1,000 bottles are almost as impressive. If your dining partner isn’t visibly impressed, you should check them for a pulse.

You aren’t the only one to make that lift journey – the flapping fresh contents of the impressive seafood platter are ferried up daily from Tsukiji Market below. FBT’s speciality is the sea urchin chawanmushi (Japanese egg custard), a silky, rich delicacy served in a spiky urchin shell. There are plenty of fresh oysters to further get you in the mood – consider pairing these unevenly sized beauties with a glass of crisp champagne.

The menu accommodates both à la carte and three prix fixe options – five, six or seven courses – which take the pressure off choosing, allowing you to sit back, enjoy the sequence of dishes and take in the spectacular vistas.

A little tip when booking is to ask for one of the windowside tables with the best views of Tokyo Tower, although this iconic feature of the capital’s skyline is at least partially visible from all vantage points inside the main dining room.

A new challenger for the title of Tokyo’s most romantic restaurant is Fratelli Paradiso, hailing from Sydney. Its ‘all day’ approach to eating – not as common as you’d think in the capital – means you can stop by for a glass of natural wine and a delicious plate of food at the bar any time of the day or make a lunch or dinner reservation to really make the most of it.

Located in the Omotesando Hills complex, it’s the perfect end to a day of shopping or the start of a night out in busy Shibuya or fancy Aoyama. The vibe is contemporary Italian bistro – swanky but not wanky. You’ll notice the marble bar, inviting tan leather banquettes and the menu chalked up casually on the dining room wall.

All of the bread and pasta are made fresh on-site, a signature being the scampi spaghetti, which sees a whole scampi served in its shell alongside a simple, fresh tomato pasta. Whatever your choice, a meal at Fratelli Paradiso is not complete without their signature tiramisu. It’s got the perfect balance of creamy versus light and airy, with just the right amounts of coffee and booze. The only problem is you could destroy the evening’s romantic atmosphere by steadfastly refusing to let your partner have even the smallest taste.