Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura — Restaurant in Tokyo

I took 48 hours of time to reflect prior to writing this review as I understand in part that some of my comments could be a reflection of ‘poor knowledge of fine dining’.

The interior is fantastic - from the moment the front door opens and you are greeted warmly by the reception you feel you are somewhere really special. Unfortunately it’s downhill from here.

In summary I think this restaurant has taken the heart out of the Italian dining experience.

On the evening we attended there was no atmosphere. Although the tables were more or less full there it was deathly quiet inside - so much that you could hear every noise made by other diners and even the squeaking of the waiters Gucci shoes on those lovely painted floorboards. Every fork accidentally dropped, every chair leg squeak rung out through that big, beautiful, deathly quiet dining room.

Wait staff were friendly but attentive to a point which made us nervous and feel on edge. If you got up to go to the bathroom they would pounce on you - my partner was told one time that the bathrooms were busy and he’d be told when he could use them (wtaf). 10 mins later he just got up and walked in to find them empty.

I don’t like fish and we gave 2 months notice of this yet I received the Tramezzini al tonno dish with anchovies in the foam which was difficult.

Most of the other dishes ranged from ‘gee that’s tasty and creative’ to ‘what were they thinking’. Highlights were the deserts!

Sommelier was a friendly French gentleman but wine glasses often sat empty and portions (we chose the 5 glass pairing) were meagre to say the least.

This experience was the exact opposite to what my Italian partner and I am used to from a high end Italian restaurant. Generous food and wine and a warm, inviting atmosphere. We saw a little of this when the chef came out to say hello at the end however at over ¥50,000 per head we expected...

After the convincing experience of Gaggan's Louis Vuitton Restaurant in Bangkok, I wanted to try Massimo Bottura's restaurant in cooperation with Gucci in Tokyo. The bright green entrance cannot be missed. The welcome was professional but not exactly warm, as you'd expect in an Italian osteria (at least the ones I know) or the Japanese equivalent of an izakaya. I asked for the more extensive tasting menu offered on the website, but was informed that it couldn't be served at 8pm. So I opted for the shorter version, which is a combination of Italian classics prepared with and adapted to Japanese ingredients. The tastiest items of the evening arrived first on the table: freshly prepared grissini and taralli. Then it was strange to see “piselli” or “green peas” listed on the menu, but edame on the plate. This seems to be part of what "Japan through the eyes of the team" is about. I thought it to be a bit simplistic and wondered if the guest is perhaps underestimated in his knowledge of Japanese ingredients. The following dishes would be ok to be served in a regular gourmet restaurant, but they are nothing like what I was treated to at Gaggan's LV Bangkok restaurant. My conclusion: a luxury label does not guarantee a luxury dining experience. In this case, the menu was devoid of bold creativity and surprises. In fact, it felt not so much like Italian-Japanese fusion but like neither fish nor fowl. The check amounted to approximately 250 EUR (270...

Gucci Osteria is one of the top-rated restaurants in Tokyo's Ginza district. As it's operated by Gucci, you can experience various design elements reflecting the Gucci brand's identity. From the staff's uniforms to the interior and tableware, the Gucci atmosphere is palpable.

The food is superb. As a Michelin 1-star restaurant, it boasts rich creativity, offering a variety of unique and delicious dishes. The course meal takes about two hours, but the time flies by, providing a truly satisfying and enchanting experience. I made a reservation via Google two months in advance, and reservations are essential for a visit.

I also ordered and enjoyed champagne that paired perfectly with the course meal, and it was truly delightful.

If I were to point out a slight drawback, I'd say the interior atmosphere could have been more glamorous and captivating. Compared to the restaurant operated by Louis Vuitton in the same Ginza district, it lacks a bit in splendor and visual enjoyment. Of course, both restaurants are excellent, but if I had to compare, I'd lean more towards the Louis Vuitton restaurant. While the taste of the food is important, visual enjoyment is also crucial, and in that aspect, the Louis Vuitton restaurant...