Les Creations de Narisawa, Tokyo

Recently crowned the 8th best restaurant in the world and 2nd in Asia by The World's 50 Best Restaurants. 

  Obtaining a reservation in some of the world's top restaurants can be quite a challenge but as luck would have it, 

I was able to secure a table on my first try!

 

I remember reading about Narisawa two or three years ago and from that moment on, I told myself I wanted to try this restaurant when I go visit Tokyo and have my own nirvana moment. Alas, the long wait is over 

and i was really very excited.

It was an entirely new dining experience for all of us. It was more than just about eating a meal, it engages your heart, soul and senses. What an intense and pleasurable dining experience. A real wow moment for me. 

It was an honour to be among the few to experience this magical meal. 

 Narisawa truly deserve its accolades.

How to book:

"Our online reservation system opens each month at 11am on the first business day of each month.
ex. For May table, you will be able to make a reservation from the first day of April." - Narisawa Reservation

My tips:

Be there as soon as the online reservation opens at 11am (Tokyo time) on the first business day of each month. 

Have a date ready and try as much as you can not to change the date or you may lose your place.

No, they're not stones...These are Onions, coated in charcoal-cooked leek. 

Served on a dried, lacquered magnolia leaf.

Soft Shelled Turtle, Saga

Essence of the Forest Satoyama Scenery

Fermenting and baking bread at the table has now become a ritual at Narisawa.

All in the midst of the twigs, leaves and fruits.

Et voila! Freshly baked Bread of the Forest 2010 with Kumquat and Walnut in a stone pot scented with the smell of earthy oak and citrusy yuzu. Hmmm... lovely.

Soft and delicious Bread of the Forest 2010 with Kumquat and Walnut

served warm with Moss Butter.

Konagai Oyster, Nagasaki

Kobe Beef, Hyogo,
Spiny Lobster, Shizuoka
Caviar, Miyazaki,
Sea Snake Soup, Okinawa

 The dried Okinawan (poisonous) sea snake is steamed to extract the delicate flavours into the broth. I also learned that this type of soup (including the snake) was served as one of the royal court cuisines of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Akashi Sea Bream, Hyogo
Botan Shrimp, Ishikawa

Crab, Ishikawa

Langoustine Shrimp, Shizuoka

Luxury Essence 2007" Abalone, Yamaguchi

Blow Fish, Yamaguchi

Duck, Kyoto

Matcha, Fukuoka

Strawberry, Nagasaki
Anise Magnolia, Gifu

I want to try one of each, please?

A plate of petits fours all to myself. 

Arigatou gozaimashita!

Maman, the huge Spider Sculpture in Roppongi Hills.

Narisawa
webpage 
2 Chome-6-15 Minamiaoyama, Minato, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
+81 3-5785-0799

My Birthday at the Heart of Eiffel Tower. Le Jules Verne (by Alain Ducasse), Paris

Mystery and charm is really what has kept me so in love with this city for so many years. 
Ah Paris, I have missed you. So happy to be back.

This year, I'm back with my family in Europe and I had the most exciting 
and memorable birthday at the heart of Eiffel Tower in Paris. 

We had an incredibly awesome meal with stunning panoramic views of the City of Lights at
  celebrity chef Alain Ducasse's Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Jules Verne which is located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. Bookings are highly recommended months in advance. 

  The private entrance.
After a quick security screening the lift will take you straight to the restaurant.

 

The lobby area.

The lift ride up to the restaurant.

Views from the lift.

We were the first ones up there and we were given the best window seats overlooking La Défense.

 This is probably one of the few restaurants in Paris with such a spectacular view.

What a beautiful and rare experience.

An upside down plate.

Our table overlooking La Défense and
the colours running below (The Color Run 2016). 

The world's most colourful run!

Marinated Sea Bream, Bergamot/Lemon Condiment

Duck foie gras poached in delicate broth

Warm green asparagus from Provence, truffled mousseline

Roasted deboned saddle of lamb, panisse and purple mustard

Seared turbot, tiny artichokes and garlic sprouts

Gorgeous dessert.
Crispy "Tower Nut", chocolate from our Manufacture in Paris

 

be seduced... 

Happy birthday to me. =)

Rhubarb, strawberry jus and almond ice cream

Marshmallow with herbs

Truffles

Petit fours
Amazing meal accompanied by the best views.

A marriage proposal. 

Madeleine souvenir for each guests to take home.

After the meal, do not leave just yet. 

Not many people know and they won't tell you unless you ask that there is 
an exclusive access to the observation deck reserved only for the use of their guests.
 It's free and there is no need to queue!
Opposite the lift is a flight of stairs, go down and exit through this door (above).
Let the staff know so they can let you back in again.

 

Et voila!  What a view! 

These views could not be beat. 

Ces't magnifique!

The wrought iron lattice tower.

You can buy these Eiffel Tower lollypops at the souvenir shops in the Tower.

The restaurant is 123 meters up.

Gustave Eiffel's beautiful masterpiece. 

I would certainly love to go back again.

Je t'aime Paris!

Le Jules Verne Restaurant
Website
Restaurant Tour Eiffel
Avenue Gustave Eiffel
75007 Paris
France
Directions: 2nd floor-South pillar
Access by private lift