Joel Robuchon Restaurant

Are there any bigger names in the world of cooking than that of the late Joel Robuchon? Likely not, seeing as he remains the restaurateur with the most number of Michelin stars to his name, with 31; the next closest is the famed Alain Ducasse, who even in spite of his legendary legacy, still trails behind at 21 stars under his belt. The undisputed king of fine French dining expanded his influence across the world, establishing a significant number of restaurants in Asia — of which possibly the most famous is Joel Robuchon Restaurant in Ebisu, Tokyo, which has had an unbroken streak of three Michelin stars from the very first edition of the Michelin Guide in Tokyo in 2008. Housed in an 18th century grand chateau-like house at the Yebisu Garden Place, the cooking here has been passed from the hands of living legend and favored disciple of Chef Robuchon himself, Michael Michaelidis, to another longtime disciple, Chef Sekiya Kenichiro, who is proudly flying the Robuchon flag sky-high. The name Robuchon is basically synonymous with excellent haute cuisine, and excellent service. With such a brand, guests are guaranteed the highest level of care and attention in every part of the experience. The interior is just as stunning as the food, with black velvet soft furnishings on the floor and tables contrasting starkly against the champagne-gold walls. As expected, a meal here doesn’t come cheap, but it’s worth every penny. Guests have written that surprisingly for a French restaurant — but not surprisingly for a Joel Robuchon restaurant — the course menus are extremely filling, so visitors should make sure to come with an empty stomach. Michelin Guide: 2008 - 3 Michelin Stars