Opened in March 2021, W Osaka is one of Japan's most glamorous hotels today. The entrance tunnel, inspired by origami, leads to the third floor where the front desk is located, illuminated by lights drawing inspiration from the neon signs of Dotonbori. It also features a stage resembling a comedy duo's microphone stand and a DJ booth. Original Kokeshi dolls, representing the diversity that is the W brand's concept, are also eye-catching. Furthermore, it boasts Japan's only guest rooms equipped with a DJ booth! W Osaka is a treasure trove of talking points. While there are endless topics to discuss, this article focuses on the hotel's culinary offerings. Bold and witty, W Osaka is equally glamorous in its gastronomy. After all, Osaka is the city of 'Kuidaore' (eating until you drop), and their dedication to food and drink is palpable.

The hotel houses six food and beverage outlets. On the first floor are Teppanyaki MYDO and MIXup, a patisserie in collaboration with Pierre Hermé. Located on the third floor are the social hub LIVING ROOM and the all-day dining brasserie Oh.lala.... Additionally, there's the reservation-only Edomae sushi restaurant Sushi Ukio, and the bar adjacent to the pool, WET BAR, offering a rather comprehensive selection.

•Teppanyaki MYDO
•MIXup
•LIVING ROOM
•Oh.lala...
• Sushi Ukio (By reservation only)
• WET BAR

First, let's explore Oh.lala..., the all-day dining brasserie serving everything from breakfast to lunch and dinner. It was already generating buzz among gourmands before its opening, as the culinary direction is overseen by Yusuke Takada, the owner-chef of La Cime, a renowned French restaurant in Osaka that holds two Michelin stars and ranked 8th in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2021.

The restaurant's head chef, Kumo Ogata, emphasizes "serving delicious food with a playful spirit." Chef Takada also contributes by suggesting delicious ingredients and dishes without adhering to a specific culinary genre. While it's a brasserie, the cuisine incorporates influences from North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, reflecting the "playful spirit of Osaka merchants" that W Osaka champions.

Indeed, there are dishes like the tagine, and as an appetizer, "Asparagus, Kiwi Pickle, and Scallop Sorbet." This dish features grilled asparagus paired with pickled kiwi and celery, topped with shaved frozen scallop. In a word, it's like a "French-style kimchi." The natural flavors of the vegetables are distinct, leaving you feeling refreshed in body and mind. Other combinations, such as Wagyu beef rump with Japanese amaranth, make you do a double-take and wonder, "Wait, what is this?"

The restaurant also prides itself on its extensive vegetable dishes. For the main course of the course menu, guests can choose from meat, fish, or vegetable-based options. The "Grilled Salad," served with a dressing made from reduced vegetables, is one of the restaurant's signature dishes.

The interior, primarily in white, black, and blue with scattered dots, refreshingly subverts the typical image of a hotel's all-day dining. The view of Midosuji Avenue through the large 4.5-meter high windows is also captivating. It promises to be even more alluring in autumn when the ginkgo trees turn golden.

To ensure guests can enjoy dining as entertainment without pretense, thoughtful touches include glassware that isn't excessively tall. Also noteworthy is the smiley face butter, which the staff humorously remarks is "surprisingly difficult to make." Be sure to try the W Osaka original label champagne, a personal favorite of the GM, who openly declares himself a champagne lover.

Also on the third floor, LIVING ROOM is positioned as a social hub where people gather and new cultures emerge. With its crimson DJ booth, stage, and bar counter, this space is perfect for enjoying tea or trying W Osaka's signature cocktails. The afternoon tea, served in a custom box recreating the W Osaka building at a 1:300 scale (approx. 40 cm), is also very popular. Additionally, during the spring and summer seasons, the open-air terrace seating, where you can also enjoy shisha, is highly recommended.

Teppanyaki MYDO, with its impactful name, is also a must-visit. The design, located on the first floor facing the street, was handled by Osaka-born interior designer Masanori Morita. Artist Seitaro Kuroda, also from Osaka, applied freehand artwork to a 40-meter long design panel, intended to resemble shoji screens, with a message of Love & Peace. As you can see in the photos, it's outrageously gorgeous. While there's no scientific basis, just being in this space makes you feel like your luck will improve (laughs).

MYDO offers counter seating divided into three areas, as well as private rooms. In addition to teppanyaki of premium beef, you can enjoy stylishly arranged casual dishes like okonomiyaki and Neapolitan spaghetti, as well as kaiseki-style cuisine prepared on the teppan, depending on the area. So, where shall we begin?

Along Midosuji Avenue is the patisserie MIXup. Aptly named 'mix up,' this establishment is an art pastry bar, a collaboration between W Osaka and Pierre Hermé Paris. It features a pop, fantasy-film-like ambiance and an open kitchen. Starting at the end of May, they introduced "CHEEKY," a dessert course where a pastry chef prepares freshly made sweets right before the guests' eyes, served in a course format.

Furthermore, the bar located next to the pool, WET DECK & BAR, is incredibly sexy. You can relax in various spots, including the deck area that blends seamlessly with the Osaka sky and the bar counter with chairs designed for guests in swimwear. Despite being in the heart of Shinsaibashi, it exudes a resort-like atmosphere.

How about indulging in the ultimate culinary experience at this 'adult playground' that sparks your creativity? You're sure to feel the W Osaka philosophy of 'rejuvenating your spirit upon arrival.'