Quintessence

If you haven’t heard of this top-level French restaurant in Gotenyama (Shinagawa) then you can’t have been in Tokyo for long. This restaurant is synonymous with French fine dining in the city, with three Michelin stars elevating it to the peak of the food scene here. Chef Shuzo Kishida, who studied under a 3-star master Pascal Barbot in Paris, is the sole owner of this Tokyo institution. The name references a kind of perfect substance in ancient Greek philosophy, and that’s an excellent way to describe the food which Kishida-san cooks here. There’s no specific menu followed. Instead the dishes are dreamt up on the same day, in accordance with the ingredients available and the inspiration of the chef. One of the regular features is the signature Goat’s Cheese Bavarois, which is made with salt, olive oil, and milk delivered fresh daily from Kyoto. They also specialize in low temperature slow roasting, which leaves meats unbelievably tender and juicy. Before you tuck in to the beautiful plates served here, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the presentation. There’s a strict ban on photography, so you’ll have to make do with these mental images whenever you want to relive what will surely be one of the best meals of your life.