Quintessence

※ Quintessence now only takes reservations directly through their official website. Please consult with the byFood concierge team for alternative recommendations. ——— This Shinagawa restaurant is synonymous with French fine dining in the city; it was one of the first few restaurants to receive three Michelin stars in the first edition of the Michelin Guide Tokyo, and impossibly, has maintained this incredibly high standard of cuisine. Chef Kishida Shuzo, who studied under a the three-Michelin-starred master Pascal Barbot in Paris, is the sole owner of this Tokyo institution. The name references the substance of perfection in ancient Greek philosophy, and serves as an excellent way to describe the food that Chef Kishida invents in the kitchen. There’s no specific menu followed. Insteadm the dishes are dreamt up on the same day, in accordance with the ingredients available and the inspiration of the chef. Nonetheless, one of the regular features that guests can expect to see is the signature Goat’s Cheese Bavarois, which is made with salt, olive oil, and milk delivered fresh daily from Kyoto. Quintessence also specializes in low temperature slow roasting, which leaves meats unbelievably tender and juicy. Before tucking into the beautiful plates served here, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the presentation. Although — guests should take note that there's a strict ban on photography, so they'll have to make do with mental images whenever they want to relive what will surely be one of the best meals of their lives. Michelin Guide: 2008 - 3 Michelin Stars