Four Events to Experience the Richness of French Terroir

Benoit, originally opened in Paris in 1912, has been a beloved bistro for over a century, cherished for its warm and inviting atmosphere. In 2005, Alain Ducasse took over the establishment, infusing the historic restaurant with new energy while also expanding its spirit to Tokyo and New York.

The "J'aime la France" series, where Alain Ducasse introduces a variety of ingredients and representative wines from different French regions, will feature special menus on six days each in June, October, November, and February of next year. These menus will highlight the unique flavors born from the land and climate of each area.


The first event, running from June 11 (Thursday) to June 16 (Tuesday), focuses on "Southwest France." This region stretches east of Bordeaux to the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains bordering Spain. The Landes department, Alain Ducasse's birthplace, has long been renowned for its duck farming and is a famous producer of foie gras.

The special menu features Andignac's foie gras, raised on corn, prepared as terrine and pan-seared. Other highlights include sautéed Landes white asparagus with scallops, Basque-style Landes chicken, the Basque region's specialty chili pepper "Piment d'Espelette," and Bayonne ham – all prepared using ingredients sourced directly from their producers.

The wines of Southwest France are also celebrated for their diverse soils, climates, and grape varietals, particularly its unique indigenous grapes. The series will showcase a rich selection, including full-bodied reds with robust fruit and tannins, crisp whites, rich and satisfying whites, and dessert wines.

Exclusive "Soirée Gourmande" Dinners on Opening Nights

Furthermore, on the Thursday of each event week, a special dinner will be held featuring a distinguished guest. Guests will share insights into the regions, producers, and their experiences visiting these areas of France, accompanied by food and wine, creating a talk-show atmosphere.

For the first "Southwest France" event on June 11 (Thursday), the "Soirée Gourmande" (reception at 6:30 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM) will feature culinary researcher Yukiko Omori. She will share her experiences visiting foie gras producers in the Landes department and discuss the region of Southwest France.

Soirée Gourmande
Price: ¥12,960 per event
1st Event: Southwest France x Yukiko Omori (French cuisine researcher active in various media)
2nd Event: Burgundy x Hiroshi Ishida (Scheduled; Top sommelier with a world 3rd place ranking)
3rd Event: Paris x Fumiko Konno (Scheduled; Acclaimed culinary producer both domestically and internationally)
4th Event: Provence x Benoît Witz (Scheduled; Chef at the Michelin-starred "L'Hostellerie de l'Abbaye de la Celle," an expert on Provençal ingredients)

Wine Seminar
On the Monday of each event week, Benoit's Head Sommelier Nagata will host a wine seminar. Guests can enjoy the perfect marriage of regional wines and cuisine.


Benoit Aoyama's 10th Anniversary Special Event
"J'aime la France"
Schedule
1st Event: June 11 (Thu) - June 16 (Tue), 2015
Theme: Southwest France
Main Ingredients: Foie gras, white asparagus, Piment d'Espelette, etc.
2nd Event: October 15 (Thu) - October 20 (Tue)
Theme: Burgundy
Main Ingredients: Charolais beef, escargots, blackcurrants, etc.
3rd Event: November 26 (Thu) - December 1 (Tue)
Theme: Paris
Main Ingredients: Game, Paris mushrooms, mustard, etc.
4th Event: February 18 (Thu) - February 23 (Tue), 2016
Theme: Provence
Main Ingredients: Black truffles, olive oil, spelt, honey, etc.
Prices
Lunch: ¥5,940
Dinner: ¥9,180

Bistro Benoit
10F La Porte Aoyama, 5-51-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel. 03-6419-4181
www.benoit-tokyo.com