Ollieweber's Profile
Alain DUCASSE and Beige
been for lunch about a year ago and it was excellent and well deserving of its status. Much better than Atelier de Robuchon in Roppongi (many shortcuts taken - ie my amuse was same as my wifes first course, we were slowed down in our meal the whole evening to keep us on track with the diners at the next counter so the kitchen could serve the menu to all four of us at the same time).
Kobe Beef in Kobe
if you are interested, I could show you around the market, depending on when you are coming to Tokyo. I am no expert (ie I don't speak Japanese), but I have been to the market many times (I am a chef). I end up going anyway, mostly for the fruit and vegetable market which no one knows is attached (to find the seasonal produce).
Kobe Beef in Kobe
Oak Door is in the Hyatt, so they speak English perfect and charge the same!
Think of it exactly as a hotel in USA but they have Japanese ingredients (beef, etc) and it is an American run hotel.
Kobe Beef in Kobe
Let me give you advise about Tokyo and Japan... Japan has many, many, many customs, of which a foreigner will never understand, so while being polite, don't worry yourself too much.
Regarding sushi, if you are at the market, everyone goes for breakfast afterwards and it costs about 40 usd for the upper set.
Sushi in America is considered 'upscale' but in Japan it is a regular occurance having restaurants from 6 usd to hundreds....
Sounds like you will be staying at royal park in Shiodome, which is quite close to the market.
Best Thai in Tokyo?
Try Tom Yam Tinun in Yaesu underground shopping passage attached to Tokyo station. It is located at the end closest to Four Seasons (Ginza direction). Cheap, semi hole in the wall, but good athentic Thai. Lunch is busy so go either before 12 or after 1...
Kobe Beef in Kobe
Regarding your questions:
- There are many 'American Style Steak Houses' that feature steaks from Japan with sides, exactly like Ruth Chris, etc. One very respected restaurant is Oak Door in Grand Hyatt, Tokyo. They can explain all different cuts and grades very well, they even have a walk in refidgerator with the beef on display.
-Beef meal in Japan, I am sorry I am not the proper person to explain (I am no expert on Japanese food), however a teppanayaki meal would probably be an approachable way to learn about beef. It is where all items are cooked by a chef in front of you, including beef if you like. If you are interested in tasting different Japanese beef, I may be able to help you, as it is amazing to see the different kinds of beef and the different flavors.
Regarding the rest of your questions, I can help but it depends very much on your budget and where you are stay ing in Tokyo (location).
Please note that as a foreigner, your biggest challenge will be the language, as not all restaurants have english menu or english speakers, however, I can recommend a few if you can advise of budget and location you will be staying in Tokyo.
Kobe Beef in Kobe
Indy 67... something to know about beef in Japan... In Japan, beef is graded by level A, B, C... then by number 1,2,3,4,5. So, on this scale, A5 is the top level of beef by grade. A5 is very expensive and is normally very, very fatty, so a main course of about 80-100 gram is almost too much (3-4 oz).
After the grading, the location the beef comes from is second (sometimes more important) than the actual grade. Example is Kobe, Mazsutaka, Sendai, Okinawa... This defines the flavor profile more than anything.
In America and other parts of the world, there is a very (misunderstood) mistique regarding Japanese beef. Before coming to Japan, I was under the impression that Kobe beef was a 'class' of beef, when it actually only refers to the prefecture it comes from. So, to make a long story short, if you want to enjoy one beef dish in Japan, just make sure you are eating Wagyu (japanese beef is the exact translation of this word), which is more expensive than imported beef.
Very early breakfast around Shinjuku or Tokyo Stn
While I know you did not want to go to a hotel, I would like to recommend Shangri-La Hotel which has recently opened next to tokyo station. It is located about 500 feet past the starbucks on the Nihombashi bus terminal exit. It occupies the 27-37 floor of Marunouchi Trust Tower. Even if it is just for a cup of coffee, there are excellent views of Tokyo station which is amazing with 4000 trains a day...
disclosure - I work there
