My close friend made a reservation for me, and I finally got to visit L'Effervescence, a long-awaited experience.With its three Michelin stars and global acclaim, I was aware of its reputation, but after spending over four hours there, what lingered most was a simple feeling of "Wow, that was fun."The course unfolded like a story, starting from Prologue and continuing through Chapters I to VII, ending with an Epilogue.It began with a cocktail made from golden chili gin and herbal liqueur, paired with seasonal vegetable crisps, followed by a risotto with whelk and Ise lobster, homemade caviar, and white peach. I was particularly impressed by the Mosel Riesling we had early on, which seamlessly connected the umami and saltiness of the seafood with the accent of white peach.Next came "The Vegetable Journey of August 8th," featuring a basket full of vegetables used that day. Water eggplant, okra, zucchini, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, and musk melon—there was an abundance of variety. Despite the many elements, it never felt overwhelming; each vegetable became a part of the dish as we savored them one by one.The signature turnip was slow-cooked for four hours and finished with unsalted butter. Four hours for a turnip. I felt a bit guilty for finishing it in just a few minutes.The pairing with Kumamoto's Hanakou Sake "Uzumaki Kouko" was beautiful, as the soft sweetness of the turnip harmonized well with the sake's refreshing and citrus notes.The natural sweetfish from the Shimanto River was paired with Sylvain Pati's Marsannay 2023. The combination of sweetfish and red wine was intriguing, as the bitterness of the liver and the nuances of the innards were gently enveloped by the Marsannay.For the main course, I opted for a double serving of duck and venison at my friend's suggestion. The duck breast from Kyoto, grilled over Mizunara wood, had crispy skin and a beautiful doneness that was sensual. The venison, paired with eggplant and black garlic, evoked images of deer running through the forest when enjoyed with the fresh aroma of tarragon.Throughout these two dishes, we enjoyed M. Chapoutier's Hermitage "Monier de la Sizeranne" 2008. This nearly 20-year-old Hermitage followed the flavors from duck to venison, and the wine's character changed with each dish. It was an especially luxurious pairing.Afterward, we had handmade pasta with duck consomme and boulette, artisanal cheese from Japan, and a dessert featuring rhubarb and fig leaves. The final dessert, paired with Bollinger Rosé, was a delightful surprise.We concluded with petit fours, peanut milk "World Peace," matcha, and coffee.Despite the numerous dishes, ingredients, and techniques, what remained after the meal was not a heaviness of having indulged in luxury, but rather a lightness.The service was also exceptional. After my companion quietly mentioned their birthday the next day, my friend stood up to inform the staff, only to find they were already aware and had begun preparations. There was no stiffness; jokes were exchanged, yet they were attentive to every detail.Immediately after the meal, I thought, "I want to come back in a different season."As an average person, I did update my record for the highest bill ever (laughs), but I have no regrets at all. It was a thoroughly satisfying night.
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