JunQi Zhai

During our time in Japan, we frequented a number of similarly situated (i.e. 2-stars and globally ranked) restaurants), and Den was hands down the best dining experience we had. From the moment we entered, there was a unique warmth to the atmosphere and we immediately felt welcomed. Every dish, while at first glance may seem simple, reflects the attention to the quality and source of the ingredients, level of creativity, and preparation required. While some fine dining experiences eschew humor and playfulness, Den never takes itself too seriously and is able to come up with tongue-in-cheek variations on some common dishes (e.g. Dentucky Fried Chicken). Nearly every dish had an ingredient that we loved, so needless to say we enjoyed the meal from beginning to end.

Service was spectacular. Special thanks to Noriko and Koji for their attentiveness and making us feel at home. We don’t normally do wine/drink pairings with our meal, but Noriko’s recommendations were spot on and really helped us explore a variety of sake that we would never have otherwise.

We plan on coming back to Den anytime we’re in Tokyo, and we can’t wait to see what new creations Chef has in store, and the rest of the Den family and Puchi.

Florilège was very high on our list of restaurants in Tokyo, and we were very excited to finally be able to visit on this trip. From the moment we stepped into the restaurant space, you could feel the atmosphere shift as you’re greeted by the dimly lit rooms and stone and metal decor. Thankfully we were able to freshen up first, after an entire day of running around the city, and were promptly seated by the end of the table nearest to the entrance. Our spot gave us a great view of the food as it was being prepped, as well as the bar area where their in-house wine expert and mixologist was constantly pouring wines and creating cocktails on the spot. Being a fan of spirits and cocktails, I requested a white Negroni and he whipped up a unique version that was floral, herbaceous, yet earthy at the same time. It was a unique twist and it was fascinating watching him make it.

Each course was well-balanced and flavorful, showcasing both French and Japanese ingredients and cooking styles. While every dish was amazing, the beans dish really surprised me and the bread and butter really helped anchor the overall meal. The bread was so airy and light I just had to ask for seconds.

Lastly, service was great from beginning to end, and the sous-chef made sure everything was going well. He came over to check on us periodically and we had a great time chatting with him and getting to know more about the restaurant. Highly recommend, would love to come back again soon!