ILBrio Azabu

The original ILBrio is one of the star culinary attractions of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. Much has been said of its novel dining concept: in the spirit of “as you like it,” fresh meat, produce and seafood are piled high atop a cart and wheeled tableside. There, guests can take their pick of the lot, and have it prepared in the manner that best suits it by the master chefs in the kitchen. While the original specializes in Italian cuisine, younger sibling ILBrio Azabu applies a similar approach to traditional Japanese fare. In place of ILBrio’s characteristic cart, guests are seated at a beautiful 14-seat U-shaped counter, whereupon a veritable smorgasbord of exquisite seasonal ingredients — personally chosen by the head chef himself — is laid out for them to feast their eyes on. From gleaming Japanese tiger prawns and spiny lobster to deep red slabs of kuroge wagyu black beef, each ingredient represents the best that Japan has to offer. The restaurant is particularly proud of its Hida beef: a type of beef from Gifu Prefecture that is renowned for its especially fine marbling, with such a high oleic acid content that it literally melts in the mouth. At ILBrio, the chefs cut this prized meat into thick, extravagant slices, making each bite particularly satisfying. But no meal is complete without a drink to accompany it. Sake connoisseurs in particular will be over the moon at ILBrio’s selection, which includes some varieties so exclusive that they can be found only on ILBrio’s shelves. An extensive library of champagne and wines is also available. Matching the beauty of each immaculately plated dish are the plush interiors of the restaurant. The counter seats are done in a modern Japanese aesthetic; dark blue curtains emblazoned with kamon family crests hang from floor to ceiling, framing the chefs as they work. ILBrio’s private rooms, meanwhile, boast a tasteful selection of paintings and sculptures from modern contemporary artists, enhancing the sense of luxury and opulence.