The second place we dropped into was La Matière, a French restaurant in Kagurazaka famous for its value for money. It has been well reviewed since the day it opened and is notorious for being all but impossible to book, but I finally made it there this time.
The entrance
Very stylish. Considering that lunch runs around 3,000 yen and dinner somewhere around 10,000 yen, the fact that a relatively affordable restaurant has put this much thought into the interior deserves a lot of credit.
Wine by the glass
A glass of wine with lunch. I wondered whether there would be plenty of options given how low the prices are, but not really. The bottles do cost a fair bit, but the wine by the glass was cheap and still perfectly drinkable. On top of that the service was good and the calm atmosphere was nice too.
Butter
Just photographed it out of politeness.
Bread
Again, out of politeness..
Fried oysters with stewed lentils
I ordered it because it felt right for winter, and the oysters were really sweet while the lentils were comfortingly warm. A satisfying dish.
Grilled salmon
The portion is genuinely huge, and it is simple but very well cooked. There is a reason people rate this place so highly.
Soup of the day
I was worried about what would come out at these prices, but the food that arrives is made with real care. Everyone around us was a lady enjoying a quiet lunch.
Poêlé of managatsuo (pomfret)
Given the fish it is, the flavour is not especially sweet, but it is cooked well. The portions are so generous that it feels different from typical French cooking, which I think is another hallmark of this place.
Grilled salt-cured pork
I had eaten pork just the night before, so having it again felt a little repetitive, but it was a nicely grilled steak.
Soy milk ice cream
It was refreshing, but perhaps because it is low calorie it lacks a bit of impact.
Chocolate terrine
Chocolate rich enough to make your head spin.
Herbal tea
The end of the course.
It is astonishing that all of this was included in a course costing 3,150 yen. There is a reason it is so incredibly hard to book (apparently weekends need to be reserved at least two months ahead). Beyond the price, the taste, the portions and the atmosphere were all top class. No wonder food lovers are so fond of it.
Omotesando Hills
After the meal we wandered out towards the centre of town, mainly to buy souvenirs. When the stay is short like this visit there is never quite enough time to shop for gifts, so sometimes we buy them first thing -_- and stash them in the fridge. Besides, there is far too much worth buying.
ChikaLicious, newly opened in Omotesando
A dessert shop that was a hit in New York has opened in Tokyo. Word is that it is delicious, but I had no time that day so I only bought a cupcake to take away.