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June 22, 2015
EAT | The Ultimate Restaurant Wedding, Designed to Delight Even the Most Discerning Guests
EAT | Finding the Perfect Table for Gratitude and Celebration
The Ultimate Restaurant Wedding for Discerning Guests (1)
For OPENERS readers, who are attuned to trends in fashion, food, watches, and jewelry, what constitutes an ideal wedding party? The keywords sought by these discerning connoisseurs are not just about style, but also exquisite taste and superior quality. With that in mind, we introduce "RESTAURANT WEDDING," a new website launched on October 16th, catering to sophisticated men and women with such refined sensibilities.
Text by FUJII Aki
Photographs by HARA Tsutomu
A Ceremonial Space Woven with Gratitude and Blessing
While "wedding ceremony" typically refers to vows exchanged in a church or shrine, when married individuals recount their "unforgettable" experiences, they are most often recalling the reception party, the smiles of family and close friends, or the joy of being celebrated on their special day.
Being close enough to hear each other's voices, with cherished guests facing one another to celebrate a milestone in life – such scenes become lifelong memories.
"Restaurant Wedding" is precisely the site that connects couples with such ceremonial spaces. It meticulously curates and introduces restaurants suitable for every situation, from intimate wedding parties that fulfill individual wishes to private dining experiences where cherished guests can be entertained with the utmost care.
Choosing the Ideal Restaurant for Intimate Gatherings
"Restaurant Wedding" selects establishments based on the criteria of being not only stylish but also delicious and high-quality, a task that was previously arduous when sifting through a multitude of wedding information.
By conducting in-depth interviews with chefs, exploring their culinary philosophies, and examining their hospitality, the site offers a wider range of choices than what can be found in mere listings or catalogs of restaurant information.
Whether you are a couple about to register your marriage, planning a reception after a destination wedding, or a married couple looking to formally announce your union to relatives and friends at a later date, you are sure to find your ideal restaurant wedding here.
And of course, don't forget that all the venues introduced here can accommodate your desires, whether it's having a dedicated chapel for the wedding ceremony or a partner chapel or shrine nearby!
On the next page, we will unveil three carefully selected venues that are sure to satisfy even the most discerning gentlemen and ladies.
EAT | Finding the Perfect Table for Gratitude and Celebration
The Ultimate Restaurant Wedding for Discerning Guests (2)
Restaurant 1:
KEISUKE MATSUSHIMA
A Chef Who Imbues Each Wedding with an Original Story
In large reception venues, it's surprisingly rare for chefs to truly consider the couple's desire to "host guests with the finest hospitality" when crafting the menu.
However, our interviews for "Restaurant Wedding" delve deeply into chefs' passion for their cuisine and their personal culinary journeys, allowing us to uncover not just their profiles, but also the "person" behind the chef and their philosophy.
Chef Keisuke Matsushima, who divides his time between the main restaurant in Nice and its Tokyo counterpart, shared, "Judging food solely on whether it's 'delicious' or 'not delicious' feels like a form of lonely mass consumption. I strive to convey the deeper meaning of a dish within a single plate."
With the chef having earned a Michelin star in France at the youngest age for a foreigner in 2006, and maintaining that distinction for nine consecutive years, the exceptional taste of his cuisine is a given. We are confident that a chef who not only creates delicious food but also collaborates with you to craft a memorable experience will imbue your wedding with its own unique story.
Kamakura Autumn Vegetable "Cuit et Cru" with Lemongrass Anchoyade
Fricassée of Seasonal Mushrooms with Shallots and Butter
KEISUKE MATSUSHIMA
1F Park Court Jingumae, 1-4-20 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo KEISUKE MATSUSHIMA
http://rwg.jp/place/keisukematsushima/
Restaurant 2:
Genyadana Hamadaya
A Formal Japanese Wedding Where You Can Remove Your Shoes and Converse with Loved Ones
For couples who wish to express their gratitude to their parents and relatives, a formal Japanese wedding or banquet is also recommended.
Genyadana Hamadaya, a long-established restaurant in Ningyocho, carries the "Genyadana" name, originating from the site where Okumoto Genji, a physician to the Tokugawa shogunate, once operated a rental property. This restaurant, the first in Japan to receive three Michelin stars, continues to be favored by politicians and business leaders for its delicate cuisine created by Chef Rokuhito Ito and its timeless hospitality.
The building, rebuilt shortly after the war, features Sukiya-zukuri architecture, a style now rare in Tokyo. Guests will likely find the contrast between the imposing facade and the spacious, welcoming entrance to be a delightful surprise.
Peeking into the kitchen, the air is taut with the rich aroma of dashi, and the prepared ingredients are arranged with artistic beauty. The chefs move with precise, brisk movements, intently observing Chef Ito's masterful knife skills and meticulously learning the art of plating without a word. Just as the beautifully polished pots and cooking utensils are maintained, this deep flavor has been cultivated through the continuous transmission of this master-apprentice relationship.
Yakimono Hachimon (Grilled Eight Delicacies)
How about a wedding at "Genyadana Hamadaya," where such "Edo elegance" permeates every detail, allowing you to remove your shoes, stretch your legs, and converse with loved ones from a different perspective?
Genyadana Hamadaya
3-13-5 Nihonbashi-Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
http://rwg.jp/place/hamadaya/
Restaurant 3:
Cuisine[s] Michel Troisgros
The Pinnacle of Hospitality, Expanding the Zone of Shared Blissful "Deliciousness"
It's easy to imagine that your circle includes many friends with discerning tastes, given your own appreciation for quality. Therefore, we introduce "Cuisine[s] Michel Troisgros," a renowned establishment whose name is likely familiar to anyone interested in fine dining.
Michel Troisgros, which has held three Michelin stars in France for over 45 years and continues to captivate gourmands worldwide, lends its name to this restaurant. The third-generation owner-chef, Michel Troisgros, presides over this establishment, which has maintained two Michelin stars for seven consecutive years, up to the "Michelin Guide Tokyo, Yokohama, Shonan 2014."
Ecrevisses, Watermelon and Bell Pepper Gazpacho
Lamb "Brûlée" with Tomato
Executive Chef Guillaume Bracaval, whose skills are recognized at one of France's premier establishments, confidently presents cuisine infused with the spirit of Michel Troisgros while emphasizing Japanese ingredients.
For example, the "Ecrevisses, Watermelon and Bell Pepper Gazpacho" is a cold appetizer in the style of gazpacho using Hokkaido-sourced écrevisses (crayfish), served with soup poured over it. The lamb, a signature dish of Troisgros, is enjoyed for its vibrant colors, as seen in the "Lamb 'Brûlée' with Tomato." However, we felt that what would truly allow discerning gourmands to appreciate this innovative French cuisine was not just the food, but the hospitality.
When we explained the concept of "Restaurant Wedding" to this restaurant, known for its consistently high-quality and elegant service, and requested photos for publication, they sent not advertising shots, but numerous photos from a wedding party held by one of their female staff members, filled with genuine gratitude.
These images captured the couple, warmly supported by the staff, conversing with the chef, and radiating an irreplaceable, blissful smile. For a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, choosing a place that allows you to connect with your cherished guests and expand that shared zone of blissful "deliciousness" is paramount.
Cuisine[s] Michel Troisgros
1F Hyatt Regency Tokyo, 2-7-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
http://rwg.jp/place/troisgros/