L’Effervescence — Restaurant in Tokyo

I was greeted by a welcome course that set the tone for a truly exceptional dining experience. A cocktail featuring specially made local orange and crushed mint leaves danced on my palate, a refreshing prelude to the gastronomic journey ahead.

We started with a whimsical bouquet of vegetable crisps, a vibrant nod to classic street snacks elevated to an art form. The highlight here is the tofu sour cream, a sensuous dip that adds a velvety, buttery dimension to each crispy bite. It was a delightful fusion of familiarity and innovation, leaving me yearning for more.

The 2nd course arrived on a scallop shell - I couldn't help but wonder if its previous occupant had influenced the dish's aromatic qualities. Deep-fried pike conger and sasahishiki risotto, adorned with thinly sliced matsutake mushrooms that resembled delicate bonito flakes, took center stage. What truly captivated my senses was the spectacle of the dish being flame-grilled right at our table, infusing it with a tantalizing smokiness that elevated every bite.

Potato focaccia & piping hot sourdough bread graced our table. The revelation that the potato focaccia was meant to be served cold was surprising, but its accompaniment, the tofu sour cream, melted like butter and proved to be a delightful surprise.

The 3rd course is a celebration of Japan's diverse terroir, with artisanal vegetables sourced from regions like Chiba, Kanagawa, Tochigi, Ishikawa, Hiroshima. Dressed solely with finely grounded kelp and kombu from Hokkaido, it elevated the umami and natural sweetness of the vegetables.

The 4th course unveils a signature dish that stands the test of seasons. Grilled turnip, seemingly inconspicuous, varies in flavor profile depending on the harvest time. Whether juicier in summer or sweeter in winter, its understated charm leaves a lasting impression.

Course 5 presents an intrigue - a whole fried ayu, a Japanese river fish, head and all. Accompanied by marsh pepper knotweed sabayon and Uruk's gastrique, cucumber rapé, and lime, its head, surprisingly palatable, was still outshined by its crispy body.

The main course, featuring Kyoto duck wood-fired over Mizunara Oak from Hinohada Village, is glazed with an exquisite red wine sauce and lightly dusted with Okinawan sea salt. The crispy duck's skin crackles with a symphony of flavors while its tender and juicy meat dances alongside Hokkaido green asparagus, reminiscent of a burst of savory broth in a Chinese Xiao Long Bao. Adorned with a creamy white sauce and girolle mushrooms, it's a crescendo of indulgence.

The main course seamlessly transitions to a succulent duck thigh ravioli with grilled eggplant, nestled inside a nanatani duck consommé, with each spoonful revealing intricate layers of taste.

Artisanal Japanese cheese selection is then unveiled followed by dessert - a rhubarb and lime agar tart, accompanied by a scoop of kaffir lime leaves ice cream. The unapologetic presence of rhubarb, its aroma and taste unyielding, yet harmoniously complemented by the zesty agar and the exquisite ice cream. This dessert was a testament to the chef's mastery of balancing flavors, ensuring that no element overshadowed the others.

We continued to be surprised and delighted with a medley of Petite 6 and a petite glass of peanut milk, expertly crafted with a touch of soju.

Just when I thought the meal had reached its zenith, I was taken to a serene and tranquil moment. The meal concluded with a hot bowl of matcha, prepared expertly in front of us in a ceremony reminiscent of traditional tea culture. It was a graceful and meditative experience, perfectly encapsulating the essence of Japanese hospitality and the restaurant's dedication to perfection in every detail.

In summary, L’Effervescence is a culinary gem that seamlessly blends innovation with reverence for nature's bounty. Each course is a masterpiece, a testament to the chef's ingenuity and a celebration of the finest ingredients. Dining here is not just a meal; it's a sensory adventure that will leave you effervescent...

We really wanted to like this place. We booked it for our last night in Tokyo, and this was our first three-star Michelin restaurant experience. It was a mixed experience and overall a disappointment.

Service was overall excellent. The staff were very friendly and professional. The only weird part was at the end of our meal we felt abandoned. They had offered us hot beverages and we declined, saying we were very full and tired. After that we waited about 15-20 minutes for the bill, which didn't come, so I got up to see if we could pay at the front. When I got up someone did come over to escort me to the restroom, at which point I asked if we pay at the table or the front counter, and they brought the bill to the table a couple minutes later.

The ambience was really nice in the restaurant.

The food was the biggest disappointment. Most were forgettable, and a couple were just bad. There was a narrative/theme for the meal, but it got lost about halfway through.

We started off strong with crispy vegetables and dipping sauce--simple and tasty. The next dish was a pike conger eel risotto which was torched at the table, so that was fun and also tasted good--this was my fiance's favorite dish. My favorite dish was probably the salad, where they used 57 different vegetables/greens. I appreciated the story behind it and it was a fun experience to eat.

After the salad, the meal declined in quality and also lost the magic of the story they were trying to tell.

The main course was by far the worst. It was duck, served rare, with a red wine sauce. The duck was very chewy and I got a tendon in mine that I couldn't chew through and had to decide whether to spit it into a napkin or politely swallow it. I chose the latter and it was gross. My fiance's cut didn't have tendons in it, but it was still chewy and he had a difficult time getting through it. The dish was served with a side of asparagus with cream sauce, which was very mild and forgettable. I've had rare duck with wine sauce before, and this was the worst version I've had, but also there was nothing interesting about this dish. It didn't fit the story of the meal, it wasn't creative, and it didn't taste good. Unfortunately, it was one of the bigger portions of the night also, so I ended up not being able to finish mine cause I started feeling nauseous trying to get through it.

The dessert was a couple courses and was uneven in quality.

We could hear the couple next to us talking about their meal throughout the night, and they were not having a better time than us. When their duck dish came out we overheard the guy say to his wife, "Should we just leave?"

With the non-alcoholic beverage pairings, our meal came out to almost $700, which is the most I've spent on a meal, and it was certainly not in the top 100 meals I've had. I don't understand why this restaurant has three Michelin stars, and it definitely made me less likely to try Michelin recommendations in the future.

We still had a fun night, but mostly because it was a shared bonding experience of disappointment and trying to figure out how the food could be so mediocre yet highly acclaimed.

I do think the chef/owner put thought and effort into the meal, but the experience was not for us, and I would not recommend the restaurant given the relatively high cost.

(I wrote a more detailed review on trip advisor, but it exceeded the character limit for google, so some courses are not talked...

I had the most luxurious experience at L'Effervescence. Where do I even begin?

The restaurant itself is nestled in the most unassuming location, but once you go inside you are transported to a world of grace and simplicity. The ambiance was peaceful; the background music was anywhere from Norah Jones to Red Hot Chili Peppers but the noise level wasn't loud enough to disturb. The restaurant itself is pristine-- the floors, windows, tables and silverware were so clean and flawless. Everything one would expect of a restaurant was met.

In regard to customer service, they were the most personal and respectful I have ever met. From the moment you step onto their property they make a note to learn as much as possible about you to make your experience at L'Effervescence very personal. They take the time to get to know you as they come by the table to serve you your drinks and dishes, and you can absolutely tell they take a genuine interest in you. They are extremely respectful, very friendly and kind, and do everything to ensure you are comfortable. They take great pride in the presentation of their drinks and dishes, and I am extremely impressed in their performance with everything they do. To me, customer service is far more important than the food as the staff creates the lasting impression of a restaurant.

Now about the food: Divine. I can't think of another word as "delicious" just doesn't do it justice. Every bite I had sent me on a journey that not only pleased but also challenged my taste buds. The chef was not only creative with the designs of his plates but also in how he concocted his recipes. You can tell how much effort he puts into the great details of flavor for each individual dish, and how he also tries not to overwhelm your senses. The pairing with wine for each course was also a treat as this was an added bonus for flavor. I highly recommend the wine pairing. Another show of respect by the chef himself was his acknowledgement of where he receives his ingredients from. Provided with your course list is also another list of all the farms and locations of where he receives his vegetables. I don't know many chefs that take the time to show thanks to his farmers, and this gesture greatly pleased me. What's even more respectful of him is his level of trust in his farmers as he doesn't go to select the vegetables himself-- he trusts them enough to ship the ingredients to him. And you can tell how much pride he has in them as the staff will bring you a display of the selected vegetables used for your course menu. Bravo chef!

So if my review hasn't been clear already, L'Effervescence proves itself more than worth of its three Michelin stars. I am sad to leave Tokyo as I would LOVE to revisit this amazing place more often to try something new and to have the pleasure of the staff's company once more. L'Effervescence isn't simply just a restaurant. It's a home for works of art.

Thank you to all the staff that made my experience outstanding, and huge thanks to the chef for providing and creating a space where all of one's senses can...