apothéose

Perched atop the Toranomon Hills Station Tower in Minato Ward, apothéose is a modern French restaurant that impresses even before you’re seated. The dramatic entrance and escort service build anticipation to its peak. A rooftop garden and pool just beside the restaurant complete the ultra-cool vibe, reminiscent of a Bangkok rooftop bar. Entry is restricted to restaurant guests only, so don’t be surprised if this place becomes an Instagram hot spot.

The chef, Keita Kitamura, trained at Narisawa before heading to France, where he earned a Michelin star five years in a row at ERH in Paris. Now back in Tokyo, his mission is to fuse Japanese ingredients with modern French techniques to create unforgettable dishes.

Here, the main course is served before you feel too full. On the day we visited, it was duck from Nanatani in Kyoto, cooked with crisped skin and juicy meat—absolutely perfect. The side vegetables were intensely green with a touch of bitterness that added complex layers. It was, quite literally, an apothéose.

The rest of the dishes followed suit: modern, elegant, and satisfyingly delicious. This restaurant clearly belongs in the Michelin star club and wouldn’t be out of place if it gained another.

With French-trained talents like Kei Kobayashi and Yoshiaki Ito returning to Tokyo, it’s clear:
Tokyo has never had a stronger French dining scene.