Raymond L.
Google
We recently dined at Apothéose and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience, especially considering the price and expectations associated with a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The course was priced at approximately ¥33,000 per person. However, nearly 80% of the dishes we were served consisted of vegetables. We have dined at many Michelin restaurants around the world and have never experienced such an overwhelmingly vegetable-focused tasting menu. After reviewing past menus from the restaurant, we noticed they typically offered a much more balanced combination of seasonal vegetables and proteins such as fish, lobster, chicken, or duck. Unfortunately, during our visit, the first five courses were almost entirely vegetarian, except for one dish that included shirako.
One particularly disappointing dish was listed as “Japanese lobster with cauliflower,” but it contained no actual lobster, only cauliflower with lobster broth. After already feeling concerned, we decided to continue and give the restaurant another opportunity. The following course was again fully vegetarian (a vegetable pie), and we waited over 30 minutes just for this dish.
The service experience was also far below what we would expect from a Michelin one-star restaurant. Our server struggled to provide wine recommendations and, after consulting the sommelier, recommended a white wine which we agreed to accept. However, the wrong wine was served due to misunderstanding. Additionally, a key course was served while one of us was away at the restroom, which significantly affected the quality and temperature of the dish. Over the course of two hours, only about half of the tasting menu had been served.
Due to the overall experience, we decided to cancel the remainder of the course. The restaurant charged us half of the course price and described it as a “discount,” but in reality, it simply reflected the portion of the meal that was served.
After providing this feedback directly to the restaurant in person and email, the only response we received was an apology. There was no explanation regarding the menu composition, service issues, or overall experience. This lack of follow-up was particularly disappointing.
We traveled from Los Angeles and this dinner was meant to celebrate my wife’s birthday during our trip to Japan. It is extremely difficult for us to understand how a ¥33,000 per person tasting menu could consist largely of vegetables while requiring two hours to serve only half of the course.
We rarely leave negative reviews, but given the price point, expectations, and overall experience, we believe it is important to share honest feedback for future diners.
