Dinner at Kitajima Tei (北島亭)

Dinner at Kitajima Tei (北島亭)

at Kitajima Tei (北島亭) on 22 August 2026
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【Yotsuya Station】2026 Bronze Tabelog Score: 4.06 (as of August 2026) I visited this long-awaited restaurant with three delightful foodie friends.Now, let me brag a bit (laughs). The first time I had authentic French cuisine was at "L'Espadon Ritz Paris" when I was 23. I remember wearing a long dress and high heels. The dishes were quite rich, which marked the beginning of my dislike for foie gras.In my late 20s to 30s, my experience was too limited. I visited places like Robuchon, the now-closed Queen Alice main branch, and L'Oiseau (which we oddly called Shiseido Parlor at home, haha), but I couldn't develop a love for French cuisine. In my 40s, I started to like French food a bit at the now-closed "Ozawa." I also enjoy dining at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons. Recently, I discovered my favorite restaurant in Mito, "Ootsu," which incorporates some "Japanese" elements. Thanks to "Ootsu," I learned to love foie gras, and my passion for French cuisine blossomed.I apologize for the lengthy introduction, but gradually, I started to appreciate French cuisine. In my 50s, I finally found a restaurant where I can genuinely say I enjoy classic French food. Although I had a strong aversion to it in my youth and still have limited experience, I feel fortunate to have discovered "Kitajima Tei" at this point in my life.We started with a refreshing cucumber cold soup. The smooth soup had a delightful mint aroma, capturing my heart from the very first sip.From the selection of cold appetizers, I chose the signature dish, sea urchin consomme jelly. The creamy cauliflower sauce was smooth and beautifully complemented the fresh sea urchin. The texture of the junsai (water shield) was also pleasant. It was a dish of high culinary excellence.And my favorite dish of the day was:✨ Grilled Flounder from Choshi, Chiba, with Potato and Sauce de Poisson The sauce was exceptionally delicious!! I've heard that sauce is the essence of French cuisine, and this seafood broth sauce was practically the star of the dish. This is what classic French cuisine is all about! The flounder paired perfectly with the potatoes. A rich seafood dish. Bravo!We also enjoyed plenty of small sweets, leaving us extremely satisfied.My companions, who have returned, mentioned that the restaurant maintains its traditional flavors while being properly updated. I now understand why Kitajima Tei has been loved for so long.~ Choose 4-Dish Course ~ JPY 18,150 (tax and service included)◆ Cucumber Cold Soup with Mint Aroma ◆ Légumes à la Grecque (Marinated Vegetables) ◆ Hokkaido Fresh Sea Urchin Consomme Jelly with Cauliflower Cream Sauce (+JPY 550) ◆ Original Bread and Butter (with extra bread available) ◆ Stuffed Red Bell Pepper with Mozzarella Cheese, Clams, Mussels, Scallops, and Whelk or Pan-Seared Foie Gras from Hungary with Corn Galette (JPY 1,210) ◆ Grilled Flounder from Choshi, Chiba, with Sauce de Poisson ◆ Steak of Black Wagyu Beef from Ibaraki with Shallot Butter Sauce or Roasted Duck Breast from Miyagi with Bamboo Charcoal with Madeira Sauce ◆ Lime Granita ◆ Nougat Glacé with Three Berry Sauces ◆ Post-Meal Beverage: Choose from Tea, Espresso, or Herbal Tea (I chose tea) ◆ Small Sweets (Dauphine, Croquant, Chocolate Cookies, Lemon Sablé, Cheese Sablé, Noix de Coco)This time, it was great to share various dishes with my close friends! While dates are nice, I highly recommend going with good friends!Including Champagne, we enjoyed a wine pairing of 4 glasses, totaling JPY 27,830 (tax and service included). The satisfaction exceeded the price‼️ For this price in Yotsuya, Tokyo, it’s a testament to their dedication. Simply wonderful.I hope this renowned restaurant continues for a long time. I will definitely visit again! Note: Four people was the right choice. Next time, I’ll order the lamb!

9 / 10