L'écrin Ginza

Founded in 1974, Ginza L'ecrin is a Michelin 1-star French restaurant hidden in the basement of Mikimoto Building. The main entrance is situated on ground floor, which is quite easy to spot. While the main dining room is elegant and classy, the private room has a chic touch to it. Service is exceptional and the sommelier is impressively professional! Staff is friendly, attentive, patient and accommodating. Absolutely love their pink ties, which match perfectly with the Sakura season. Online reservation is straightforward. There are two options for dinner, namely Menu Saison (JPY 22,000/person) and Menu Spécial (JPY 34,000/person). All guests of the same party must opt for the same menu. The 10-course Menu Spécial might not be plated as artistically as other fancy restaurants, but the French cuisine is carefully designed and prepared with high-quality ingredients from different places in Japan. Every dish has its own character and is delicious in its unique way. While the Mousse of Japanese bean sprouts “FUKAYA” from Saitama and seasonal Squid at Parfait is refreshing, the “Lamb from Lozère” is juicy and flavorable, and the Dessert Jewelry Box is simply mind-blowing! Thank you very much for the birthday surprise, which makes the celebration dinner even more memorable!

It was an exceptional experience. The explanations, course composition, and overall atmosphere allowed us to fully focus on the flavors. Each dish was refined and sensorial, and the meticulous detail of the plating was beautifully reflected in the taste. In particular, we were deeply moved by the hospitality of Ms. Anzu Jibuta. We sincerely appreciate every aspect of her service. We have enjoyed fine dining in many countries, but thanks to her thoughtful care, this restaurant will remain a truly special and lasting memory for us. We would love to visit again if given the opportunity.

I travel around the world with my husband and we love fine dining and we do it in every city we travel to. He is from south of France so he wanted to try French fine dining in Tokyo. We sat at a table with staff that were horrified of foreigner table. The staff were very sweet but not trained good. Nobody asked us if we want water. We asked ourselves. We had wine pairing with our food and we would be served 2 glasses of wine at the same time with no explanations. We had to ask which glass is for what dish. At one point we had 3 glasses of wine in front of us per person and we were just laughing. The server that was speaking English was impossible to understand. She was trying. She was sweet but for a French food in Tokyo you need one staff with good English or French at least. The food was far from having any stars. My husband liked his pigeon dish which was the main dish but all the rest was just ok. I hardly had any of my courses. We were shocked and left disappointed.

Exquisite cooking by Chef Kurita and elegantly plated on beautiful crockery. The entrées like soft-shelled turtle, spiny lobster, and presse of wild boar with foie gras were superb. And the quail with Albufera sauce. Desserts were spectacular with a plethora of choices. Be thrilled when the large jewelery box arrived. Excellent and extensive wine list. Very decent wine pairing too. Service was top-notch in the hands of Sommerlier Kondo and Toma. L'écrin is a nonpareil - classy ambience, wonderful food, wines, and service.

Sisteron lamb, Brittany mussels, steamed flounder, zucchini flowers stuffed with pig’s trotters… What’s not to love about L’Écrin, reborn under the masterful guidance of chef de cuisine Yuhei Kurita? L’Écrin has been around since 1974 in the heart of Ginza, just a few steps from Wako. You would probably walk by it and not notice since the entrance is small and discreet. The restaurant reopened on August 8, 2020 and, “In our eyes, it is marvelous!” Sommelier Yuya Kondo is most amiable and cares for a wine list that contains vintages that are not available anywhere else in Japan. Why not get together some friends and enjoy a bottle of Philippe Alliet Chinon 2005? Yuya will be glad to put together a plate of amuse-bouches to go with it. L’Écrin is in the Guide Hachette and hopefully it will find its place in the Michelin Guide once word gets out and international travel resumes.

An institution in Tokyo which is celebrating 50 years this year. Solid food, service and wine list.

Lecrin Ginza truly excels in creating a culinary experience that lingers in our memory. The menu features an array of meticulously crafted dishes that highlight fresh, high-quality ingredients and inventive flavor combinations. Each bite showcases the chef’s artistry and passion, seamlessly blending traditional and modern techniques. Moreover the curated wine list and bespoke cocktails are thoughtfully matched to enhance every dish, elevating the flavors to a whole new level. Whether it’s a rich red wine that complements a hearty dish or a refreshing cocktail that balances delicate flavors, the pairings demonstrate an exceptional understanding of taste and harmony. It’s a dining experience that’s as luxurious as it is unforgettable.

Perfect dining environment, food and service quality and 1996 chateau Lafite Rothschild