by Anne Roberts
Chocolates by a Master
In 2009 the pastry sous chef of the Grand Hyatt was crowned ‘World Chocolate Master’ at the Salon du Chocolat Professionnel exhibition in Paris. His award-winning creations, ‘Button’ and ‘Collection’ (¥2,000 each) are now available to be sampled at the Fiorentina Pastry Boutique inside the hotel. Chef Hirai’s winning cake, ‘Mode,’ made with hazelnut nougat, chocolate mousse and apricot-flavored white chocolate is also available (¥3,800 for a whole cake, ¥700 for one piece). The winning recipes were inspired by haute couture, the theme of last year’s competition. Another collection that arrives just in time for the holiday is the ‘Will you be my Valentine?’ chocolate assortment, a gift box filled with five kinds of meticulously crafted sweets.
For more information see www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.com
World Cuisine
The restaurants at the Conrad Tokyo are going all-out to give Valentine’s diners something to remember. China Blue will have a special six-course meal on February 14 with dishes such as fresh lobster and seasonal vegetable tartare, braised shark’s fin and wanton with oxtail stew soup, and pan-fried salmon with black pepper and honey sauce (¥28,800 for two people). Gordon Ramsay will have two four-course menus to choose from, priced at ¥10,000 and ¥15,000 per person. The creative fare is made with the finest ingredients, including caviar, sea urchin, tuffled white bean puree, foie gras, mussels and seasonal root vegetables. Finally, Kazahana teppanyaki restaurant will offer seven courses for ¥15,000 per person, with dishes including assorted sashimi, grilled lobster and Hitachi beef.
For details see www.conradtokyo.co.jp
A Feast for Two
The Steakhouse at the ANA Intercontinental Tokyo is celebrating Valentine’s Day for two weeks starting from February 1. Designed with couples in mind, the romantic evening will include a rich six-course dinner of caesar salad, pasta, lobster, scallops, steak, chocolate fondue, and much more. The meal also includes a glass of wine and coffee or tea, and is priced at a reasonable ¥12,000 for two people. The restaurant’s minimalist, modern decor serves as the perfect backdrop for a cozy meal. Afterward, head to the Atrium Lounge on the second floor for a drink, or to the chic Manhattan Lounge on the 36th floor for cocktails with a view.
For more information about the hotel’s dozen bars and restaurants, go to www.anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp
Dinner with a View
Not to be outdone, Forty Five restaurant at the Ritz Carlton Tokyo has prepared a special Valentine’s menu available February 11–14. Located on the 45th floor of Tokyo Midtown Tower, the restaurantprovides stunning views of Tokyo Tower and the surrounding skyline, so reserve a window seat for maximum impact. The modern French menu makes use of high-quality ingredients such as Maine lobster, dandelion, avocado, sea bream, baby octopus, scallops, squid, Tankaku beef, and a ‘lover’s dessert’ consisting of a chocolate ball, passion fruit sorbet, milk chocolate mousse, and hot vanilla sauce. The six-course meal costs ¥14,900 plus a ten percent service change.
For more information see www.ritzcarlton.com/tokyo
