tapas molecular
The Mandarin Oriental is one of the many high-rise neighbors of Japan’s emperor. Located next to Tokyo Station, the five star hotel offers not only luxury but also marvelous views over ‘The never ending city.’ The best view is men only, being the male restroom. Here you can do your business while looking down at millions of city lights or up at billions of stars.
But there is more to the Mandarin than great views, a good night’s sleep or waiving at the emperor. For example the hotel’s smallest restaurant; the eight seat Tapas Molecular Bar.
As the name already reveals, the tiny restaurant serves tapas style dishes from a molecular cuisine in a bar style setting. You can enjoy watching the two chefs cooking up small miracles like Ferran Adria of El Bulli and Heston Blumenthal of the Fat Duck in their best days.
The Autumn 2013 menu includes explosive dishes as Charcoaled apple-manchego, Matsutake soup balloon and the eye-candy Autumn Forest dish (left) in which a little piggy stands under a tree looking for truffles and berries. All edible of course.
Sitting at the Tapas Molecular Bar asks for some agenda management. Since there are only 8 seats available per shift (starting at either 1800 or 2030), you have to book well in advance. This gives you the opportunity to save some money, since exclusivity does not come cheap. The 20 mini-course dinner costs 16.000 Yen. This includes a 13% service tax, but excludes drinks.
Two hours after the visual bonanza started, dessert is served. This is the moment you would like to trade places with the chef. Only to see what he sees when looking at his guests’ faces: A wonderful transition, from deep disappointment to extreme surprise. The secret to this is a red, bean like thingy called ‘miracle fruit’. It’s a name well chosen as you can best experience yourself…….
Tapas Molecular Bar
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
2-1-1 Nihonbashimuromachi
Chuo – Tokyo – Japan
T: +81 3 3270 8188
W: www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo/fine-dining
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