TOGO'S

The setting of TOGO'S is what you would expect from a well-respected French fine-dining establishment. Decked on the fourteenth floor of a private residential building in Minami-Aoyama, the restaurant exudes a romantic charm with its floor-to-ceiling windows, white-tableclothed tables and minimal decor (expansive backdrop of the neighborhood is enough to stun, anyway). But at the heart of TOGO'S culinary approach is what Kenchiro Togo, formerly of NOBU, dubs "new washoku" – a modern interpretation of traditional Japanese cuisine with an inventive twist. Surprisingly, the menu is not at all intimidating. Togo incorporates local and international ingredients to whip up dishes you would expect cooked in a Japanese home kitchen, like rice dish or curry. “Playful” is the hallmark here: roasted onion ice cream paired with polenta soup for the summer menu's dessert, chestnut soup with mozzarella wontons, or pan-fried marinated cod with truffle sauce. Course updates monthly to reflect seasonality, and surprise is part of its charm. Some things are there to stay, though. TOGO'S signature handmade soba, a long-time favorite among local patrons, remains a constant on the menu. When the weather is nice, opt for terrace seating to view the stunning skyline of Minami-Aoyama.