Hiroto — Restaurant in Hiroshima

Wow, my favourite restaurant in Japan - and it’s not even Japanese cuisine! This is French cuisine done with so much beauty and style, without the pretension, complication and all other flaws that come with dining in Paris. Head chef is brilliant with a background at Hibiscus, extremely friendly and passionate about his craft. Every dish comes across beautifully and is executed brilliantly whilst being inventive and clever. The restaurant has an open kitchen - a Japanese touch, and decor/styling is neat and organic without any the stuffiness. Wine selection is strong and individually curated. There is no wine list (which is unusual to westerners like myself) but the somm is able to pair and help according to budget. But the food - what we’re really here for - is brilliant here. It is so interesting, unique and better than a lot of the restaurants i have visited in France. I look forward to coming back next time I am Hiroshima and will look out for the results of the next local Michelin guide because this restaurant is a strong...

It’s hard to believe they charge a 10% service fee here because there wasn’t even a hint of actual service. I don’t understand why they’re even charging for it. I definitely wouldn’t recommend this place if you’re going with high expectations for a special occasion.

The experience was sorely lacking in explanation and hospitality. There was no information on the course layout or how to best enjoy the dishes. No greeting upon arrival, no words of thanks, and no farewell as we left. If this had been a 5,000 yen course, I wouldn’t have any complaints, but paying over three times that amount, plus a service fee, makes me question the value.

We ordered a bottle of wine, giving them room for variety, yet they only brought two options. We couldn’t even verify the bill on the spot; later, we received a charge with an arbitrary amount that hadn’t been confirmed.

Overall, it felt like we were overcharged. Although the food was tasty, satisfaction was low, and I don’t think I’ll...

Hiroto, 히로시마의 미쉐린가이드 2스타 프렌치 레스토랑. 카운터석과 테이블 4개 남짓의 아담한 곳으로 오너쉐프와 서빙 직원 한명만이 일하고 있다.

이제껏 가본 프렌치 레스토랑과 상당히 다른 혁신적인 곳이다. 오너쉐프 아저씨는 요리사라기보다는 쿵푸 고수 같은 느낌이고, 주방은 완전히 오픈되어 조리하는 모습을 그대로 볼 수 있다. 음식이 나올때마다 식기가 바뀌는 다른 곳과 달리 처음 나온 나이프, 포크, 스푼으로 디저트를 제외한 모든 요리를 먹는다. 접시를 치우고 오너쉐프 본인이 직접 바로바로 설거지 하는것도 눈에띈다.

전반적으로 고급 레스토랑답게 좋은 재료를 아낌없이 사용한다. 라트비아산 캐비어, 프랑스산 아스파라거스, 히로시마 소고기와 굴, 야마구치산 자주복, 야마나시산 송어, 송로버섯 등 호화롭다. 전통 프렌치에 구애받지 않고 자왕무시 같은 일식 스타일의 요리도 나온다. 특히 소고기 스테이크는 오븐에서 천천히 구워 쫀득쫀득한 식감을 만들어내는데 인생 스테이크였다.

글라스 와인도 뫼르소, 퓰리니 몽라셰, 마르사네 등 훌륭하다. 하나하나 너무 맛있어 나도 모르게 다섯잔을 마시고 말았다.

민트차까지 마시고 나자 한 일본 사극의 대사가 떠오른다. 'みごとじゃ、みごとじゃ。(훌륭하다, 훌륭해)' 마치 멋진 클래식 공연을 본 것처럼...