Madame Toki

Just a little southwest of Shibuya, in the Daikanyama neighborhood, there’s an idyllic oasis of class which seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Above the flower encircled entrance gate to the grounds of this large European-style red brick house hangs a charming sign, bearing the name of the restaurant — Madam Toki — and the year of its founding: 1978. The restaurant has enjoyed a great reputation ever since that very first year, but the current chef has really taken it to new heights. Takahisa Takashima brought the wisdom gained from working at two separate 3 Michelin-starred restaurants in France when he took over the kitchen here in 2008. The menu he devised focuses on healthy, high-quality cooking which respects French traditions. Top dishes include a duck foie gras poiret, beef roti with watercress and carrot puree, sea urchins in consommé jelly, and a wagyu fillet Rossini with foie gras and shaved black truffle. The elegant dining hall, with its long tables, is ideal for wedding or engagement celebrations — a setting in which a string quartet wouldn’t be out of place. Even if you don’t have any such big events coming up, you should still find an excuse to book yourself a seat at Madam Toki to celebrate the richness and quality of French cuisine at its finest.