Japan has probably emerged as one of the countries with the most numbers of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. Being invited to one certainly makes this trip to Tokyo worth the while.
Located just about 10 mins walk from the Omotesando (表参道 ) station is L' Embellir, a charming 1-star Michelin-starred French Restaurant In Tokyo.

I'd a fabulous lunch dining out at Shiodome Tokyo Grand China Fine Dining + Shopping At Burberry Blue Label. An invitation to a Michelin-starred restaurant was certainly a perfect treat to end my Day 2 in the Tokyo city.

So come with me, on an epicurean journey with a quintessential French menu & an artisanal approach involving seasonal ingredients & fresh seafood flavours.

The evening kicked off with a fanciful Potato Fritter. The Amuse-Bouche, coated with 2 types of shredded cheese was addictive. Love the salty wafer-thin crispy skin with the tasty cheese; a very unique appetizer to start off the meal indeed.

Another distinctive hors d'oeuvre was the Fresh Oyster. The shellfish was laden with a layer of creamy gelatin, leaving one longing for more. The single oyster is certainly not enough to satisfy any discerning foodie.

Next on the table was the Seiko Crabe A La Vapeur. Interesting, the roe in this dish was deep-fried till crisp, sitting on a bed of crabmeat. Hidden underneath was actually a very delicious egg pudding. I've never tried crab done in this manner & I love it!

The menu listed Maqureau Grille, tarte de tomate et st-jacque as the next dish, which is Charcoal Broiled Mackerel. I don't quite like to eat Mackerel, so the maître d' changed my dish to a Risotto with Uni instead. The Sea Urchin with the Italian Rice, topped with Truffles, perked me up with their medley of colours; truly a meal fit for the royalty.

I was in luck that evening; got a double Truffles dish. The Mitonne Au Chatainge, au truffe noir (Black Truffle Oguri Mitone of Ibaraki Prefecture) was actually chestnuts in wine on persimmon leaf. Because the chestnuts were hot, they brought out the aroma of the truffles. The chestnuts tasted somewhat like roasted potatoes; truly a winning combination.

I'm not a fan of fish, but the Amadai Poele creme de croustace was so fresh & tasty. A clever mix of delicate flavours from the Snapper with Minced Prawns & Seaweed wrapped inside was a beautiful contrast, especially with the Cuttlefish Carpaccio,.

I also had the Charcoal Grill Pork replacing Sarcelle Grille sauce sarmi which was a duck course, & I'm glad I did. The duo pork was tender & each bite yielded a tangy flavours that kindled my appetite.

The evening's Avant Desert was a refreshing half jelly sorbet with cubes of western pear.

Seductive & alluring is how I would describe the Variation de Kaki. 柿 (Kaki) is Persimmon in Japanese. Love how Chef Kishimoto paired it with Earl Grey!

I ended my meal with freshly-brewed Pepppermint Tea. I must admit that the menu at L'Embellir is bursting with sensational dishes. Their eclectic collection of dishes makes the venue a perfect place for an intimate indulgence. Rating: ★★★★☆.  I would've given it a 5 if not for their snobbish sommelier. I didn't like the wine he offered at the start. He wasn't too happy when I asked for a change. I certainly didn't expect that kind of attitude in a fine-dining restaurant, especially coming from Japan. It was a total put-off.

Have you dined in a Michelin-Starred restaurant? What's your experience like? Here are just couple of my other dining experience at Joël Robuchon, the world’s most decorated Michelin-Star & a legend in the culinary world, & Guy Savoy, one of the finest haute-cuisine establishments in the world with 3 Michelin stars.

L' Embellir Naoto Kishimoto
Tokyo-to Minato-ku Minamiaoyama
東京都港区南青山5－2－11　Ｒ2-Ａ棟　B1F
Tel: 03-6427-3209